Hell's Cartel

by Diarmuid Jeffreys

  “Although Schacht was not”: For Schacht quotations, see IMT, vol. 27, p. 1301.

  “But Blomberg”: For Göring’s remarks about Frederick the Great, see Taylor, The Sword and the Swastika. For creation of the Four-Year Plan, Göring’s appointment, and Hitler quotation, see IMT, vol. 12, p. 446.

  “Of course, all of these”: For Krauch, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 851. For Eckell, see NI 8833/3, affidavit by J. Eckell. See also NMT, vol. 7, p. 857, testimony of Felix Ehrmann.

  For figures on the IG’s share of Four-Year Plan investment, see U.S. National Archives, RG 238/ M892, Krauch defense papers, affidavit by C. Krauch, Dec. 19, 1947, NMT, vol. 7, p. 851, testimony of Carl Krauch. For the most comprehensive summary, see Hayes, Industry and Ideology. See also Taylor, The Sword and the Swastika.

  “‘The struggle we are approaching’”: NI 051/2, 17/12/36.

  9. Preparing for War

  “The three years running”: Figures from NI 10001–03, affidavits by H. Deichfischer, June 2, 1947, and Gross, Further Facts and Figures Relating to the Deconcentration of the I. G. Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft.

  “Not all of this growth”: Details of the ubiquity of the IG’s ersatz products are drawn from many hundreds of statements made by prosecution and defense at Nuremberg, contained in NMT, vols. 7, and 8, and the U.S. National Archives RG series of defense documents, e.g., NI 6525/8, affidavits by C. Krauch.

  “‘What the chemical industry’”: Völkischer Beobachter, no. 212, July 31, 1938.

  “Without Hitler’s rearmament program”: Figures calculated by Peter Hayes for Industry and Ideology.

  “At Nuremberg”: See final statements of defendants, NMT, vol. 8, pp. 1055–79. Georg von Schnitzler interrogation, Sept. 7, 1945, quoted in Elimination of German Resources for War: Hearings before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Military Affairs, U.S. Senate, 79th Congress, first session (Dec. 1945), p. 957.

  “Having gambled”: See Fest, Hitler; Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich; Burleigh, The Third Reich.

  Elimination of German Resources.

  “Carl Krauch”: For figures on commissions, see RG 238, M892, Krauch 1/87, affidavit by C. Krauch, Dec. 29, 1947.

  “But Krauch’s role”: NI 7241, affidavit by Ernst Struss.

  “This pattern was repeated”: See NI 10386, affidavit by P. Körner. Peter Hayes argues that Körner planted doubt in Krauch’s mind about Löb’s estimates rather than the other way around. (Industry and Ideology, p. 206n.) Whether this is true or not, Krauch subsequently brought inaccuracies in Löb’s estimates to Körner’s attention. See NI 6768/7, affidavit by C. Krauch.

  “Krauch was at his most”: For account of meeting and Krauch Plan, see NI 10386, affidavit by P. Körner. For appointment of Krauch as plenipotentiary, see NI 6768/53, interrogation of Krauch.

  “The concern’s response”: For the IG’s positive response to the increase in orders, see Elimination of German Resources (exhibit 15), statement by Georg von Schnitzler, excerpts, p. 984. For secrecy, see example in NI 14002, memo by von Knieriem, Oct. 4, 1935.

  “Take, for example”: For IG and DAG plants involved in the manufacture of explosives, see Bayer Archives, Leverkusen, IG Farben Geschäftsbericht 1929; Bayer Archives, Leverkusen 6/14 Vowi Bericht 2803, and BIOS FR 534, Organisation of the German Chemical Industry and Its Development for War Purposes. For von Schnitzler quotation, see NI 5191/38, affidavit by G. von Schnitzler, March 4, 1947.

  “The IG’s involvement”: For mustard gas production, see NI 6788/52, affidavit by O. Ambros, May 1, 1947; NI 12725/104, affidavit by E. Ehrmann, Nov. 26, 1947; and NMT, vol. 7, pp. 935–43.

  “The first of these”: See Harris and Paxman, A Higher Form of Killing. For Ambros and Dyhernfurth, see NI 4989.

  “Projects of this kind”: For German Corporation Law, see Mann, “The New German Law and Its Background.” See also NI 100037/38/82.

  “In 1937, after”: See NI 12042, membership of IG directors in Nazi organizations. For Bosch’s speech at the Deutsches Museum, see BASF W1, “Niederschrift über die 28. Sitzung des Ausschusses des Deutschen Museum am 7. Mai, 1939.”

  “The government’s anti-Semitic”: For Göring’s decrees (Jan., Feb., and Nov. 1938), see Bayer Leverkusen Direktions Abteilung 377 and NI 15171/123. See also Barkai, From Boycott to Annihilation: The Economic Struggle of German Jews, 1933–1945.

  “As a consequence”: See NI 7957/66, affidavit by H. Bässler, July 17, 1947, and NI 7957, chart of members of Aufsichtsrat.

  “On this occasion”: See RG M892, von Schnitzler 11/214, affidavit by R. von Szilvinyi, p. 66, and RG M892, Schmitz 4/53, affidavit by R. Graf von Spreti. See also NI 13678/111, Krauch to Wolff.

  “An episode involving”: For Ollendorf’s meeting with Gajewski, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 6228–29.

  “‘We wish to inform’”: See NI 13522/110 and NMT, vol. 7, p. 594.

  “Of course, Gajewski”: For Gajewski’s subsequent actions and Ollendorf’s affidavit, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 594. For Baumann’s fate, see RGO M892, Bütefisch 9/158, affidavit by A. Baumann, his widow. For Piesteritz three, see Pistor, 100 Jahre Griesheim. For footnote, see Hayes, Industry and Ideology.

  “In the meantime”: See BASF UA, A865/57. For purchase of Weinessigfabrik L. Hirsch, etc., see Keiser, “Die Konzernbewegung 1936–39.”

  Details about IG Farben’s “Strength through Joy” incentives from Abelshauser et al., German Industry. For figures on women employees, see BASF UA, C621/2.

  “Even for those”: For background on Bohle and Auslandorganization, see McKale, The Swastika Outside Germany. For quotation from Commercial Committee, see NI 04862/36, Oct. 7, 1937. For “The few remaining,” see NI 8428, pharmaceuticals sales combine meeting of Feb. 16, 1938.

  “If IG Farben’s”: For Bohle’s demands, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 655–57. For Max Wojahn, see U.S. Federal Economic Administration [FEA], Economics Organization Staff, “Sterling, IG, and the Nazi Government” (IV), Record Group 169, U.S. National Archives, pp. 26–28.

  “But Bohle also wanted”: See NMT, vol. 7, pp. 724–30. Quotation from Commercial Committee, NI 4959, p. 37, meeting of Sept. 10, 1937. For mobile cinemas showing Nazi propaganda, see Mann and Plummer, The Aspirin Wars.

  “Max Ilgner’s Vowi”: See NI 6702/51, affidavit by M. Ilgner, April 15, 1947; Elimination of German Resources, pp. 949–51; and DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists. Central America Verbindungsmann quoted in DuBois.

  “In this climate”: For an overview of IG’s foreign deals, see Glaser-Schmidt, “Foreign Trade Strategies of I. G. Farben after World War I,” and Coleman, IG Farben and ICI, 1925–53.

  “In late 1937”: For McClintock’s meeting with Schmitz and IG’s persistence, see FEA, “Sterling, IG, and the Nazi Government”; and Department of Justice Central Files, Case 60/21/56, Sterling Products, Inc., Record Group 60, U.S. National Archives, document 6283. Quotation from Wilhelm Mann in DOJ Sterling 6434.

  For acquisition of tetraethyl lead, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 4922; Elimination of German Resources, p. 945; and Borkin, The Crime. For its importance to Germany, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 1309, memo from von Knieriem to Schmitz.

  “‘It has been claimed’”: Hearings before a Subcommittee on Military Affairs, U.S. Senate, 78th Congress, 1st session (1943), p. 939.

  “The ministry asked the IG”: NMT, vol. 7, p. 1309.

  “The IG knew”: Quotation from von Knieriem in NMT, vol. 7, p. 1204. For the Air Ministry’s being informed, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 1189.

  “In all liklihood”: March 12, 1937, memo from Verm. W. in NMT, vol. 7, p. 1275. The warning of July 14, 1937, is contained in NMT, vol. 7, p. 1275, exhibit 223.

  “Standard’s disquiet”: For butyl and Standard’s legal requirements, see Borkin, The Crime.

  “Germany’s foreign policy”: For Hossbach memorandum, including quotation, see IMT, vol. 25, pp. 402–13.

  “Standard, increasingly anxious”: Account of meeting and subsequent correspondence in Hearings before the Committee
on Patents, U.S. Senate, 77th Congress, 2nd session (1942), part 6, pp. 2904–06

  “He would come to regret”: For ter Meer’s passionate commitment to buna, see ter Meer, Die IG Farben Industrie.

  “A few days after his meeting”: For account of meeting and quotations, see NI 10455 in NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1281–84, file note by ter Meer.

  “‘Taken up negotiations’”: in Hearings before the Committee on Patents, U.S. Senate, 77th Congress, 2nd session (1942), part 6, p. 2907.

  “Ten days later”: Ibid.

  “‘We know some of the difficulties’”: Ibid., pp. 2912–13.

  Ter Meer’s visit to the United States: Ibid., pp. 2916–17.

  “Something must surely”: For the IG’s interest in Skodawerke, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1407–08, minutes of the special meeting of Farben officers concerning Austria, Sept. 10, 1937; NI 6070/45, meeting of Commercial Committee concerning Austria, April 19, 1938. See also NI 8578, p. 70, affidavit by H. Gattineau, May 2, 1947; NI 8456/70, statement by P. Haefliger, May 1, 1947; Hayes, Industry and Ideology; and DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists. For Skodawerke’s initial response to the IG’s interest, see NI 7388.

  NMT, vol. 7, p. 1209.

  “But before this deal”: For “New Order” document, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 149.

  “Keppler, who had tangled”: For Keppler quotation, see Haefliger’s notes of the meeting, NI 3981/29. For the IG’s acquisition of Skodawerke, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1414–15, NI 9289. For the fate of Pollack, see Hilberg, Destruction of the European Jews.

  “If the IG”: For background on Sudetenland crisis, see Fest, Hitler; Carr, Arms, Autarky, and Aggression; Burleigh, The Third Reich; and Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

  “On May 24, 1938”: See Elimination of German Resources, p. 1007, and DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists. On Ayranization of the IG’s Czech interests, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1546–51.

  “The IG’s motives”: For attitude toward Verein, see NI 6221 and NI 5194/38, affidavit by G. Schnitzler, March 10, 1947.

  “So while von Schnitzler”: For donations to Sudeten interests, see NMT, vol, 7, pp. 591–93, NI 2795. For hunt for suitable German employees, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 146–51, 1566–74.

  For appointment of von Schnitzler, ter Meer, Ilgner, and Kühne as special representatives, see NI 15080/123, Vorstand meeting of Sept. 16, 1938.

  “‘Profoundly impressed’”: NI 2795, NMT, vol. 7, p. 591.

  “In an equally bullish”: For lobbying of Chemische Fabrik von Heyden and quotation, see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1417–19, NI 9161/76.

  “However, von Schnitzler”: For deal with Heyden, see NI 13541/110, IG and Heyden to RWM (Reich Economics Ministry). For threat to Aussiger Verein, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 43.

  For the deteriorating position in Europe, see Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich; and Fest, Hitler.

  “The IG had been in this situation”: NMT, vol. 7, p. 35. See Also Elimination of German Resources, p. 949.

  “In July 1939”: For Walter Duisberg’s proposal, see Robert Bonnar et al. v. The United States (Ct. Cl. 1971, no. 293–63), Exhibit 155, Office of the Alien Property Custodian, Report of Examiner re: Walter Duisberg, p. 26. For specifics of the deal, see Borkin, The Crime.

  “But in those final few”: See BIOS FR 534, Organisation of the German Chemical Industry and Its Development for War Purposes; Elimination of German Resources, pp. 986–87; NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1233, 1335.

  “By now, this level”: For ICI’s militarization, see Reader, Imperial Chemical Industries. For composition of German bombers, see Dressel and Griehl, Bombers of the Luftwaffe; and Kay and Smith, German Aircraft of World War II. For foot soldiers’ equipment, see German Infantry, 1938–1945.

  10. War and Profit

  “A strange air”: Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

  “‘Dr. Ungewitter told me’”: Von Schnitzler statements, August 22 and 28, 1945, NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1520–23.

  “Von Schnitzler wasn’t the only one”: See NI 4954, affidavit by Felix Ehrmann, and N I7241, affidavit by Ernst Struss. See also DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists.

  “The IG got the message”: Elimination of German Resources for War, pp. 996–97, exhibit 12, interrogation of von Schnitzler, July 26, 1945, and NI 5196, affidavit by G. von Schnitzler. See also DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists.

  “With almost wolverine”: For “The Most Important Chemical Plants in Poland,” see Vowi report 3609 of July 28, 1939, in NI 9151. For the IG’s motives, see NI 5196, affidavit by G. von Schnitzler, and NI-7367, affidavit by A. Eckert. Figure of 20 percent market share from Hayes, Industry and Ideology.

  “‘The Former Polish State’”: NI 8457.

  “But when von Schnitzler”: Schwab testimony in NMT, vol. 7, p. 75. Hanneken quotations in NI 1093.

  “Von Schnitzler was not easily”: NMT, vol. 8, pp. 1143, 20–23. For Wurster’s trip, see “Report on the Inspection of Some Chemical Industrial Plants in Poland between October 26 and November 1, 1939,” NI 1149.

  “‘When the Germans’”: Szpilfogel quotations in this paragraph and subsequent ones from testimony, Oct. 23, 1947, in NMT, mimeographed transcripts, pp. 2629–61.

  “While Maurcy”: See NMT, vol. 8, pp. 25–29; NI 1197, Schnitzler to Winkler; NI 806, Schnitzler to Greifelt; NI 8382, Mahnke to Schnitzler.

  Vogelsang, Der Freundeskreis Himmler, p. 161.

  “Not everyone at the IG”: For the death of Carl Bosch, see Holdermann, Im Banne der Chemie; and Abelshauser et al., German Industry. For consequences of his speech at the Deutsches Museum, see RG 239 M892, Schmitz I/10 and I/11, affidavit by J. Zeneck, and Bruckmann and Zenneck to Ministerpräsident Siebert, May 8, 1939.

  “Though many at the IG”: For appointment of Krauch, see NI 6526 and NI 6120, affidavit by C. Krauch, and NI 5184, affidavit by F. ter Meer. For further details of remuneration, see Hayes, Industry and Ideology.

  “Naturally, the Wehrmacht”: Elimination of German Resources for War, p. 1014; Glaser-Schmidt, “Foreign Trade Strategies of I. G. Farben”; DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists; Plumpe, Die IG Farbenindustrie; and Hayes, Industry and Ideology. Specifically for Gallus Vertrag, see NI 5193, affidavit by G. von Schnitzler, and Holdermann, Im Banne der Chemie.

  “The IG quickly realized”: For figures: Elimination of German Resources for War; Glaser-Schmidt, “Foreign Trade Strategies of I. G. Farben”; DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists; Plumpe, Die IG Farbenindustrie; and Hayes, Industry and Ideology. For “new order,” see NMT, vol. 7, pp. 1452–65, and NI 11252, von Schnitzler to Schlotterer, Aug. 3, 1940.

  “The company presented”: For Schlotterer’s response, see NMT, vol. 7, p. 1147.

  “The Vorstand”: NI 11252 and NI 6957, NMT, vol. 8, p. 133. For German occupation pressure, see NI 4894.

  “The tactics had the”: Elimination of German Resources for War, p. 1387. For Frossard’s approach and the IG’s response, see Elimination, exhibit 36, statement of von Schnitzler, Aug. 30, 1945. For advice from Hemmen, see NI 6839. For IG quotation, see NI 795; for Schnitzler quotation, Elimination, p. 1013.

  “The talks began”: NMT, vol. 8, p. 113, NI 14224, Kugler’s notes on Paris conferences, Nov. 18, 29, and 30, 1940. See also NI 4886, affidavit by G. Thesmar, and NI 4889, affidavit by René Duchemin.

  “The Germans, including von Schnitzler”: For Hemmen’s remarks, see NI 6727.

  “While the dismayed French”: For von Schnitzler’s statement, see NI 6727.

  “The next morning”: For von Schnitzler’s remarks, see NI 6838; for Duchemin’s response, NI 4889 and Elimination of German Resources for War, p. 1399, and NI 3707, memo by Kramer, Dec. 14, 1940.

  “As a result”: For IG concessions, see NI 14224, Kugler’s notes on Paris conferences. For IG threat, see NI 4889, affidavit by René Duchemin. (Raymond Berr was later arrested anyway and sent to his death at Auschwitz.) For Francolor announcement, see NMT, vol. 8, p. 1150. For financial compensation, see NI 6845 and NI 8077, Vorstand meeting of July 10, 1941.

 
; “Although there were”: For ter Meer doodle, see NMT, vol. 8, p. 163, ter Meer testimony.

  “But the IG”: For Mann’s plans for Rhône-Poulenc, see NI 6839, Terhaar memo; NI 792, Kugler to Terhaar; NI-7992, IG report on Rhone; and Mann’s statements in NI 7991, NI 14495, and NI 14500. For Mann’s threat and Rhone’s response, see NI 7629. For deal between IG and Rhone, see NI 7635.

  “The IG also tightened”: See Paxton, R. Vichy France, and Hayes, Industry and Ideology.

  “But if IG Farben gorged”: For Schlotterer’s rules, see NI 504, Schlotterer to Reichwirtschaftskammer, RGI, and Reichsgruppe Handel, Sept. 9, 1940. See also NI 1473.

  “The cartel’s restraint”: For overall attitude of the IG to Netherlands (including plant closures) and Belgium, see Hayes, Industry and Ideology. For Terte factory, see NI 10164. For Solvay, see NI 5196, affidavit by G. von Schnitzler. For attempted supply of Norwegian heavy water to Paul Harteck, see Bernstein, Hitler’s Uranium Club: The Secret Recordings at Farm Hall.

  “Had Germany gone on”: Specifics of relationship from Coleman, IG Farben and ICI, 1925–53. For handover of IG knowledge of ICI to authorities, see Elimination of German Resources for War; and DuBois, The Devil’s Chemists.

  Public Record Office, London (National Archives), FO files 371, 66564/U634.

  “Bombing campaigns”: For mobilization and stockpiling plans, see, e.g., NI 4452, NI 7126, NI 7209, NI 7136, and NI 7212. For air raid precautions, see NI 8461.

  “To their relief”: For details of raids, see U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey, Oil Division, “Ludwigshafen-Oppau Works of IG Farbenindustrie AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany,” Washington, DC, 1947.

  “Aside from the”: For overall employment situation, see Milward, The German Economy at War; Overy, War and Economy in the Third Reich; and Tooze, The Wages of Destruction. For four thousand workers, see Abelshauser et al., German Industry. For details of increase in women workers at Ludwigshafen and Oppau, see BASF UA, C 621/2, “Der Mensch in BASF.”

  “But this was a drop”: For Belgians, Italians, and Slovaks, see BASF UA, C13, “Direcktionssitzung in Ludwigshafen am Rhein am 28 Juni 1940.”