|
| Volume |
XVI |
| Subdivision |
Subdivision 48 / Hjalmar Schacht |
| Part |
2 |
| Section |
48.04 (Schacht interrogation, 31 Oct.'45) |
| Title |
"Interrogation of Schacht by Capt. Nordon and Dr. von Schlabrendorff-31 October 1945" (.PDF) |
| Pages |
2 |
| Pages Supplemental |
|
| Date |
31 October 1945 |
| Language |
English |
| Author |
Based on internal evidence, Captain Nordon seems to be the author of this summary account. |
| Witness |
Hjalmar Schacht |
| Other Names |
Dr. von Schlabrendorff; Goering; Ambassador Joseph Davis; President Roosevelt; Brauchitsch; Guderian; Manstein; Fritsch; Rundstedt; Raeder; Halder; Wagner; Diels; Warlimont; Gisevius; Frau Struenk; Dix |
| Other Dates |
30 November 1942; 3 November 1942 |
| Abstract |
Besides providing his personal assessments of, and incriminating testimony against, certain of the defendants named above, Schacht in this interrogation insists upon the non-aggressive intention of the rearmament program he financed as Director of the Reichsbank. He claims that when he refused to finance rearmament beyond what was necessary to insure Germany's parity with the armed nations of Europe, Hitler dismissed him. Schacht maintains that he secreted documentary evidence of his anti-Hitler position in a box (Kasette), which he buried. Without providing an explanation, the summary states that Schacht's Kasette is currently in the hands of the Russians. Schacht also mentions "the so-called five secret meetings in which the War was planned" and his personal appeal to Generals Brauchitsch, Rundstedt, and Raeder to put a stop to Fritsch's execution, which they did nothing to prevent. Schacht also claims that President Roosevelt "sent him at the outbreak of the war between the United States and Germany a message stating that he should sit tight—that America will [sic] need him after the war" (p.1). Schacht states his willingness to testify against Brauchitsch and that Diels is "a man without conscience—an out-and-out rogue." The summary notes Schacht's citing "specific instances" of his having aided Jews both within Germany and in their flight from it, but offers no examples. Most helpfully, perhaps, is the summary's allusion to "Letter of Schacht to Goering"). (.PDF) This document is a typewritten original on good paper. It bears a handwritten note at the top of page one: "please return this afternoon to Corp. Scheider / M. Donovan." |
| Keywords |
Versailles Treaty; German rearmament; German foreign policy; Naval Treaty with Britain; Mission to Moscow; Roosevelt letter; Schacht's Kasette; Fritsch affair; Reichstag fire; Assistance to Jews; Schacht's defense; Treatment in prison; Defense counsel |