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of concentration camp internees was utilized at the Bertha Works. But
it certainly was the case at a later stage in the operation of the Works, i.e.,
not later than in the first half of 1944. Whether or not it took place as early
as in 1943 I do not know. The fact of the employment of prisoners of
concentration camps and that the relative concentration branch camp, I believe
named “Fuenfteichen,” was in the immediate vicinity of the plant of
the “Berthawerk” was known to me as well as to the Direktorium. The
highest number of prisoners of concentration camps employed at any time by the
“Berthawerk” is estimated to lie approximately between 1,000 and
10,000. I do not recall that the Direktorium took the initiative in any form
regarding the utilization of concentration camp prisoners for the operation of
the “Berthawerk” or knew of it before the accomplished fact. As to
the argument that such an important measure could not have been taken without
prior consideration on the part of the Krupp Direktorium, I declare that the
Speer Ministry (Saur) appointed a so-called Commissioner to the Bertha Works in
the person of Mr. Gildemeister, who on his own initiative took many decisive
steps. At a time when the Bertha Works was in course of construction, Mr.
Goerens, on behalf of the Direktorium in Essen, was competent as regards this
matter. Mr. Loeser was entrusted with the financial side. I, myself, have been
in Markstaedt four or five times. Once during the construction period I have
seen the concentration camp prisoners used for that purpose, at work. At least
once, during one of my other visits to Markstaedt, I have seen the
concentration camp Fuenfteichen existing there at a distance.
3. With
particular reference to the Krupp situation in Auschwitz I must truthfully
declare, even after having been acquainted with the essential contents of the
circular of “SS Sturmbannfuehrer Maurer” and more especially with his
alleged reference to the “Auschwitz-Fertigungs-Werk-Krupp,” that I do
not know or knew at any time that the Krupp firm, whether under the name of
“Fertigungs-Werk” or any other name, ever had another plant in
Auschwitz, except the project for the relocation of a fuse workshop to be
mentioned forthwith. Not only was it unknown to me, but I also think it
impossible that such was the case. I have to maintain this statement, even
after it was held up against me that the circular in question became effective
1 July 1944, at a time therefore, when the Krupp fuse project at Auschwitz
already had no further object, and that the same circular in another part
contains a reference to “Weichsel Metall Union, Auschwitz.”
In reference to the project of the transfer of a fuse workshop to
Auschwitz, I want to state the following: |
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