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| since the business is unusually urgent; in addition, we would like
you to let us know your answer within the next 8 days if possible, since we and
the authorities above us are very interested in bringing about an early
decision in this way. |
| |
| [Initial] H. [Habermaas] |
| |
| |
| |
TRANSLATION OF
DOCUMENT D-526
PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 665
|
| |
| FILE NOTE OF WILLI SCHUERMANN, A MEMBER OF KRUPP’S FINANCE
DEPARTMENT, 29 JULY 1942, CONCERNING ACQUISITION OF THE AUSTIN PLANT
LEASE |
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| [Handwritten] Dr. Busemann |
| |
File notes
concerning the conference on 28 July 1942
with Mr. Habermaas and with Mr. Biegi* of the Krawa. |
| |
Subject: Liancourt
Before my departure for Paris, Mr.
Biegi informed me of the fact that the Krawa had made Commissioner Erhard, who
is in charge of the Austin plant at Liancourt, an offer for the acquisition of
the site, the buildings, and the machines of the Austin factory. He has been
offered 5 million francs for all the property including buildings, real estate,
machines, equipment, and stocks, free of any liabilities. The offer was made
without prejudice. In the meantime, it was planned to ascertain the
possibilities of financing the purchase and of transferring the money to Paris
on the condition of operating the Liancourt factory as a Krupp and not as a
Wehrmacht enterprise.
Having investigated the matter in Paris, I gave
the gentlemen the following report:
Mr. Stein supplied the information
that up to now Mr. Erhard in Paris could not make up his mind to consent to the
sale on the basis of our offer. He suggested to Mr. Stein that we should go
into partnership with a French firm, and since Mr. Stein could not make any
suggestions in this line, Mr. Erhard delayed the negotiations to such an extent
that finally the appropriate military authority in Paris urged a settlement.
This authority declared that if Mr. Erhard could not make up his mind to sell,
at least he would have to give a 3-year lease to Krupp. |
__________
* Biegl was an official of
Krupp motor vehicle department (Krawa), Essen, and later in charge of
administration of “Krupp-ELMAG.” Extracts from the testimony of Biegi
concerning the ELMAG case are reproduced below in section E 2.
531 |
. 
