Language: ns
1945
BAK; OMGUS, Finad, 2/224/20, Record of financial interrogations of Göring, Funk, von Krosigk, Hans Lammers
Information Independent Commission of Experts Switzerland-Second World War (ICE) (UEK)
Info UEK/CIE/ICE ( deutsch français italiano english):
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Interrogation of Hermann Wilhelm Goering, 2.6.1945

Privatkonten besitzt er nur bei der Deutschen Bank und bei der August Thyssen Bank in Berlin. Bei seinen Reisen und Käufen braucht er ausschliesslich Cash. "Always took enough money along on the train. Had a private train. I was the second man in Germany and always had plenty of money. I would give an order to the Reichsbank and they would got the money." (p.5) So bekam er auch freie Devisen. Er war hier selbst "the last court of appeal" (p.6)
Der Vierjahresplan operierte in allen besetzten Gebieten. Alle Devisenbestände mussten angemeldet werden und wurden eingezogen. "it was their [the Vierjahresplan's] job to find it". (p.7)
Er hat von Fritz Thyssen Bilder geschenkt bekommen. "I know him for yerars before 1933. He was my personal friend." (p.15)
Deutsche in der russischen Zone wurden von den Russen nach deren Einmarsch sofort rekrutiert, v.a. Wissenschaftler (p.20)
Er habe die Thyba veranlasst, rund ½ Millionen Mark von Berlin an eine Bank in Süddeutschland zu verschieben. Ob diese Transaktion effektiv gemacht wurde, entzieht sich seiner Kenntnis. (p.21)
Er besass zwei Züge, von denen einer kurz vor Kriegsende mit Juwelen, Bilder etc. bepackt in einen Tunnel gefahren wurde, um so den Bombardierungen zu entgehen. Die Wachen verschwanden dann als die Lage brenzlig wurde. Der Zug wurde danach ausgeraubt. (p.22)
Sein persönlicher Anwalt heisst vom Berg. (p.23)

Interrogation of Goerig, 4.6.1945

In Karinhall hat Göring kurz vor dem russ. Einmarsch jene Objekte verbuddelt, die für einen Transport zu schwer waren. (p.28)
Wenn er freie Devisen brauchte kontaktierte er die Reichsbank, da diese die Devisen verwaltete. Die Reichsbank bekam hierzu die Erlaubnis vom Reichswirtschaftsministerium. Falls es sich um sehr grosse Gelder handelte, musste die Erlaubnis von Göring persönlich eingeholt werden. Für die Erlaubnis bei der Reichsbank gab es Einheitsformulare, die ausgefüllt werden mussten. "When I was apporached I was shown no form. When people came in in the course of regular business to tell me what requests had been received, they would state the name of who wanted the money, for what purchase and I would say yes or no." (p.29)
Es gab knappe und weniger knappe Devisen. Es gab immer genügend ital. Lire, frz. Francs und holl. Gulden. Nicht aber beispielsweise schwed. Kronen. Keiner wollte englisch Pfundnoten. Wenige wollten Dollarnoten. Weder die Türkei noch die besetzten Gebiete noch Italien akzeptierten Dollars als Zahlungsmittel. (p.29)
Himmler beanspruchte immer grosse Summen Devisen für seine Auslandsoperationen, v.a. im Bereich de Spionage. "I think now after all the discussions with the Americans in addition to the sum found by the Devisenschutzkommando, whenever the Gestapo confiscated foreign exchange, contrary to instruction and the law, they did not surrender the money to the Reichsbank but kept the foreign exchange to themselves." (p.30)
"If Himmler wanted to take somthing abroad he was the only man who could do it because he was in charge of foreign intelligence which was everywhere in the neutral countries too. In that manner he was the only one who had such connections abroad. The man in charge of that branch was Schellenberg, a very well known title believed to be the SS Gruppenführer. Schellenberg has gone abroad." Wahrscheinlich nach Schweden. (p.31)

Interrogation of von Krosigk, 4.6.1945

Umlauf der Geldmenge war bis Juli 1944 relativ stabil. (Schätzung 60 Mrd.) Nach Juli "we lost the total". "Not only the attempt at Hitler's life but also because of the military situation in the country. Into whose control did that go? Who took control and when were you no longer consultet? Things were very much out of hand and after that time people did not go to banks and savings banks to deposit money and money had to be printed and circulation had to be increased.". p.34

Interrogation of Walther Funk, 4.6.1945

Industrie und Nationalsozialismus: "They [dt. Grossindustrielle] approached me. When I was editor-in-chief of the Berlin paper, people approached me saying they wanted someone to exert economic and political influence in the new party which they assumed eventually would gain power in Germany but these people were in doubt as to the economic aims of the party and wanted them clarified. (...) Did you get any contribution from the industries for the Nazi party? Not directly but whenever I put these people in touch with Hitler - then there would be a conference with Hess or someone and they would organize collections for the party. It was only in some instances during the election in 1932 when the party was seriously financially embarrassed that they would contact me and I would obtain initial funds for the party from industries. How much? In 3 or 4 cases where direct intervention was sought, the total was approximately ½ million marks." (p.43) Andere Geschenke gingen immer via Hess direkt an Hitler.
Wieviel Gold besitzt die Reichsbank? Januar 1945 450 Mio. RM in Gold. Februar 1945 wurde das Gold auf Befehl des Führers in eine Mine in Zentral Deutschland verschoben. Nicht alles Gold wurde von den amerikan. Truppe gefunden. "There were smaller items in various Reichsbank branches. Most of the deposits with the Reichsbank branches were taken over by the American Military Government. There is an exception of 10 tons of gold which was given to a Wehrmacht unit for safe keeping and protection. To date and according to the latest information I do not know whether or not it has been found because no one knows where the officers are that had the gold." (p.47) "What unit had it? It was taken by a unit of mountain troops. The mountain troops suggested taking the gold into the mountains because previously it had been hidden in a mine in Bavaria which was not suited. The officers have not been found so the gold cannot be traced." (p.48) Es handelt sich hierbei um ca. 50 Mio.
"The Four Years' Plan could dispose of all gold held by the Reichsbank. In addition to that, there was a special gold reserve fund at their sole disposal and the Reichsbank could not touch it. This special fund included the 450 million marks in the fund that I mentioned earlier." (p.51) Es wurde kein Gold nach Argentinien verkauft. Es wurde auch kein Gold an Privatpersonen verkauft. (p.52)
Die Ausgabe von Devisen war abhängig von einer Bewilligung des RWM Department Foreign Trade. Die zuständigen Personen waren Dr. Kirchfeld und vor ihm Unterstaatsskretär von Jagwitz. (p.52)
Er besitzt keine Vermögenswerte im Ausland mit der Ausnahme eines Lohnkontos bei der BIZ in Basel, welches rund Sfr. 15-20'000 enthält. (p.55)
Die Reichsbank besass zuletzt Devisen in der Höhe von rund 30 Mio. Reichsmark (v.a. Schweizerfranken und Schwed. Kronen) (p.57)
Das Auswärtige Amt hatte Anspruch auf Devisen, gleichsam die Spionageorganisation der SS (p.57)

Interrogation of Göring, 25.6.1945

u.a. Aussagen über Funktion des Vierjahresplans
"Q: Did you know that Himmler had his own foreign exchange? A: I want to be precise on this question. I always thought that Himmler had his own foreign exchange but never had any proof of that. There were two reasons for my suspicion, (1) Himmler had very often the opportunity when he was making arrests to collect foreign exchange and other valuables, and usually only very small parts were given to the Reichsbank. Once I talked to Himmler about it and after that greater amounts were given to the Reichsbank for a short time (2) I was in charge of the Devisenfahndungsamt ..." (p.63)
Die Akten des Vierjahresplans wurden auf Hitlers Anweisung grösstenteils zerstört. Der Vierjahresplan besass keine Devisenvorräte im Ausland. Der Gold- und Devisenbestand lag bei der Reichsbank. Wenn er selber Devisen in grossen Mengen benötigte, stellte er ein Gesuch bei der Reichsbank zur Freigabe. Bei kleineren Beträgen genügte es, wenn sein Sekretär Wilhelm zur Reichsbank ging, um es abzuholen. (p.64) Neben dem Auswärtigen Amt und Himmler besassen noch die Spionageabteilungen Devisen im Ausland. (p.65)
Als "legal" bezeichnet kann nur der Devisenbestand des AA werden. Himmlers Devisen waren "gestohlen". (p.65)

Interrogation of Funk, 25.6.1945

Es gab nur Devisen im Wert von RM 100 Mio. bei der Reichsbank im Februar 1945. Dies habe ihm Wilhelm mitgeteilt. "How much of this was outside Germany? It could only be a question of money in Switzerland and only about 30 million RM there." (p.71) Wilhelm und Puhl wissen mehr darüber.
"Q: In which country did the Reichsbank have its largest holdings? A: Switzerland. Q: Second largest? A: Probably in Sweden. The business in Spain and Portugal was done by way of Switzerland. I don't know of any other accounts. I can imagine that one of the big banks in Germany could have dealt with another private bank in Switzerland, but later on that as not possible in Switzerland. Q: Why? A: Since Switzerland introduced a complete control of foreign exchange and it was impossible to transfer foreign exchange form one bank to another in Switzerland. [....] Q: Are there any other agencies in Germany which may have substantial credits abroad? A: Only big firms could have credits abroad." (p.73) Er kann sich aber an keine konkreten Firmen erinnern. Puhl und Wilhelm wissen hierüber Bescheid. "Q: If the ministry of Economics wasn't interested in foreign accounts of industrialists who in the Government was interested in the industrial accounts abroad? A: Nobody besides the Reichsbank." (p.73)
Zur Golddiskontbank: "The directors of the Reichsbank were at the same time directors of the Golddiskontbank. The Golddiskontbank has chiefly done the clearing with countries abroad. The main task of the bank was to receive the gold gained through exports and to pay out gold for imports." Andere Funktionen: "The Golddiskontbank bought German securities abroad." (p.74)
Zum Devisenschutzkommando: "As far as I know it was first under Goering and then under Himmler." (p.75)
Schellenberg: "Schellenberg was the successor to Canaris. Canaris and Schellenberg received devisen, but I only found out about the amount when all German exchange and gold were taken out of Berlin in March because I was told that certain amounts would have to remain in Berlin to be given to Canaris and Schellenberg, 300'000 RM a month." (p.77)

Interrogation of Göring, 25.6.1945

Betreffend UdSSR: "I see the greatest danger [Gefahr betr. Nachkriegsdeutschland] in the fact that the greatest part of Germany has been destroyed through the war: that very little could be done or can be done at the moment and that through the advance of the Russians, which is still taking place, and through the fact that England is weak and American does not show enough interest in Europe there is a great danger of advances toward communism.(...) Also the fact that the terror about the Russians is receding and that people are now afraid of a division of the Reich and are beginning to think that a united Reich even under Russian domination would be better." (p.83)
"Q. Great Britain is short on food and a law in the United States prohibits sending any food to Germany, so she will have to pay for her own imports. There will also be tremendous reparations payable to Russia. A: A magician will have to do that. Q: Stalin is a magician? A: But he does his magic by means which you do not like. Q: Who is you? A: The Americans Q: Stalin is our Ally." no comment on that (p.84)
Betreffend Auslandsguthaben Deutschland sind Puhl, Wilhelm und Ritter (AA) informiert. (p.83)
Deutschland als Agrarstaat?: "Q: Would the German people be satisfied to be an agricultural country? A: No, why should it be? With its abilities it could also be industrial. It couldn't live on agriculture alone. .... industry is necessary for living. Q: We couldn't trust Germany to have heavy industry again, because there would be the case of another war? A: You have the power and the responsibility also." (p.85)

Interrogation of Funk, 26.6.1945

Puhl: Funk's chief assistant was Puhl. "Puhl is known throughout the world in the matter of foreign exchange and gold. That's why I let him handle foreign exchange and gold almost independently. Puhl has acted for the Reichsbank abroad in Switzerland, Sweden, and also in Italy and Hungary. (...) In the occupied areas the Reichsbank did not work itself, but there were representatives at the military HQ and with the Reichkommissars, unless our representatives were in the National Banks as in Paris and in Brussels. As far as these businesses were treated as foreign business they fell into the field of Wilhelm and Puhl." (p.108)
Mitgliedschaft bei der NSDAP: "Who gave instructions to various branches of the Reichsbank to the fact that important officers and members of the bank should be members of the Nazi party? A: Lange. There was a general regulation by the party that members could not be promoted to important jobs unless they were party members. That was valid for all offices. Q: When was that regulation put into effect? A: 1935 or 1936. Q: Were any bank directors removed from the branches of the Reichsbank because they refused to become members of the Nazi Party? A: I don't remember such a case..." (p.108)

Interrogation of Lammers, 26.6.1945

Lammers ist Reichsminister und Chef der Reichskanzlei. "I was in charge of a small account of foreign exchange for the Fuhrer. This account amounted to approximately 75 thousand dollars which was deposited in the Reichsbank. (....) This money consisted of gifts from abroad... Q: What other devisen sources did the Fuhrer have? A: Otherwise the Fuhrer did not request foreign exchange from me, except that in some cases requests were handed to the official under me to pay for certain purchases of objects of art which were processed in the regular way through permits form the Ministry of Economics." Er selber hat nichts mit Hilters Vermögen im Ausland zu tun. Die Verwaltung der privaten Gelder Hitlers war Angelegenheit Bormanns. 8p.110)

Interrogation of Funk, 26.6.1945

Genauer Zeitpunkt, als der Ausgang des Krieges klar zu sein schien: "It is very difficult to come to the conclusion that one's country would lose the war but I began to doubt seriously Germany could win the war as soon as America entered the war. I the summer of 1943 I had many discussions with Hitler and I told Hitler about the production of the United States, but Hitler cut me short and said all that was bluff. Q: Did you have any doubts before the summer of 1943? A: During the time of big military victories I never believed in final victory, but I always thought that on a basis of these successes there would be negotiation for a final settlement. Q: When did Germany's industrialists begin to doubt the outcome of the war? In general the people were very careful not to say anything about that since it was very dangerous, but friends I had known for 25 years in economics began to have their doubts since America entered the war. Q: Who were they? A: Voegler in Vereinigte Stahlwerke."
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