From PRO file WO.208/4170

IF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT IS REQUIRED FOR FURTHER DISTRIBUTION. IT SHOULD BE PARAPHRASED SO THAT NO MENTION IS
MADE OF THE PRISONERS' NAMES, NOR OF THE METHODS BY WHICH THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED

 

S.R.G.G. 1185(c)

CS/1953 - Generalmajor Dr. REITER (9 IR) Captured RECHLINGEN 16 Apr 45

CS/1963 - Generalmajor FRANZ (Comd., 236 VG Div.) Captured BIRNFELD 8 Apr 45

Information received: 2 May 45

TRANSLATION

FRANZ: Did you know that RUNDSTEDT was involved in the July 20th affair? But the FÜHRER didn't dare touch him as representative of the Officer Corps. Did you know that HIMMLER was also deeply involved in it? Also various other people who are still at liberty? Men who even shot others for their part in it.

REITER: It had already occurred to me that HIMMLER was in on it.

FRANZ: HIMMLER's participation is an open secret; he was one of the driving forces in the affair. It's a proven fact!

REITER: But we may as well be honest and admit that we would all have been delighted had it succeeded on July 20th.

FRANZ: That anyway. But still I had no part in it.

GERMAN TEXT

FRANZ: Wissen Sie, daß RUNDSTEDT beteiligt war am 20. Juli? Der FÜHRER hat sich aber an ihn als Vertreter des Offizierskorps nicht herangewagt. Wissen Sie, daß auch HIMMLER stark daran beteiligt war? Und auch verschiedene andere Leute, die noch rumlaufen? Die anderen totschiessen sogar dafür.

REITER: Daß der HIMMLER beteiligt ist, da habe ich schon selbst daran gedacht.

FRANZ: HIMMLER ist offen beteiligt an der ganzen Sache, mit einer der treibenden Leute an der ganzen Sache. Das ist eine erwiesene Tatsache.

REITER: Also wollen wir uns doch mal jetzt ehrlich eingestehen, daß wir am 20. Juli alle begeistert gewesen wären, wenn es gelungen wäre.

FRANZ: Das sowieso. Aber deswegen war ich doch nicht beteiligt daran.

BY C.S.D.I.C. (U.K.)

M.I.19.a      War Office   (56 copies)
N.I.D.        Admiralty    ( 9 copies)
A.D.I.(K)     Air Ministry (15 copies)

(29111) Wtr51755/3515 37,000 2/45
   A. & E.W.Ltd GP.692 J.7303

See TRANSLATION