 |
replacement of machinery; and, (4) other devices of control.* As to
the relationship of Farben and Dynamit A. G., the evidence compels the
conclusion that for all practical purposes Dynamit A. G. was a subsidiary of
Farben under its effective control. It should be noted that Dynamit A. G.
controlled still other enterprises in the explosive field, including
Verwertchemie, admitted by the defense to be “a 100 percent subsidiary
company to DAG,” and described by defense as “the center of the
armament production of the DAG-Konzern.”
Synthetic Gasoline. Farben had
expended enormous sums of money on the development in the experimental stage of
its process for the production of synthetic gasoline. Prior to Hitler's seizure
of power, the synthetic oil program was under attack in the Nazi press. The
defendants Buetefisch and Gattineau in 1932 went to see Hitler and received
assurances that the attacks would cease and that the program would receive his
support [NI-8788, Pros. Ex. 28; NI-8637, Pros. Ex. 29;
NI-6766, Pros. Ex. 31].
Following the accession of Hitler to
power, an agreement was entered into on 14 December 1933 between Farben and the
Reich Ministry of Economics under which Farben received a guarantee both as to
price and volume of sales in connection with the production of synthetic
gasoline [NI-881, Pros. Ex. 92; NI-319, Pros. Ex, 93]. The
agreement was of such importance that it had to be submitted to the personal
attention of Hitler [NI-320, Pros. Ex. 94]. Farben started large-scale
expansion in the production of synthetic gasoline and the Leuna plant in the
spring of 1933. The defendant Buetefisch has stated: |
| |
“I do not forget the day of
the year 1933” * * * “when I could accept from the Reich Government
in Berlin the order now to proceed and expand with all possible energy the
production of benzine, which for reasons inherent in political economy could
not be fully developed prior to the taking-over of power. From that day on we
find ourselves in this invariably great experience of expanding our industry,
in a measure heretofore unknown." [NI-6630, Pros. Ex. 514.]
|
| While it is undoubtedly true that considerable peacetime expansion in
gasoline production was warranted in connection with increased motorization of
Germany and the autobahn construction, it is also true that the military
considerations were inextricably connected with the synthetic oil program and
the military importance rapidly became the predominating consideration. As
early as 11 October 1934 General Bockelberg, Chief of the Army Ordnance Office,
conferred |
__________
* See affidavit of Dr.
Struss, Document NI-8813, Prosecution Exhibit 32. Also Document NI-12740
Prosecution Exhibit 1816 (affidavit of Otto Heilbrunn).
1263 |
. 
