From PRO file WO.208/4165: optically scanned. Please report obvious scanning errors. [Report]

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. 265

 

The following conversation took place between

M l59 - General der Panzertruppen [von Thoma] (G.O.C. German AFRIKAKORPS

Captured MIDDLE EAST 4 NOV 42

and two other German senior officer P/W, whose voices could not be identified.

Information received: 22 Jul 43

TRANSLATION

 

M 159 [von Thoma]: (re LANGHOFEN's book on concentration-camp): It's an exceedingly frank, just and well-written book. Then, this quarrel between GÖRING and HIMMLER about the Gestapo - he (HIMMLER) wanted to get his S.S. out of the camps in PRUSSIA, and GÖRING as the Prussian Minister insisted on keeping them. All this is in the book. It's very interesting.

?: Have you finished it?

M 159: Yes, BASSENGE (P/W) has got it. Ask BASSENGE whether he has finished it, or perhaps he is reading something else at the moment, then you can read it straight away.

?: And what's it called?

M 159: BÜRGERMOOR, the BÜRGERMOOR Concentration Camp. You can accept what you read in this book about the life there as true fact. There is no doubt, I -- believe, that dirty work was done, especially at interrogations. I myself know of a number of people to whom this and that has happened. There were scoundrels there who simply went about beating up the people, and things like that.

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

M.I.19.a      War Office   (33 copies)
N.I.D.        Admiralty    ( 9 copies)
A.I.(K)       Air Ministry ( 8 copies)

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

TOP SECRET

 

The following conversation took place between

A 1201 - Generalmajor (G. O.C. Air Defences TUNIS and BIZERTA) Captured TUNISIA 9 May 43

and another German senior officer P/W, whose voice could not be identified.

GERMAN TEXT

SRGG 265

GERMAN TEXT

159: (re LANGHOFEN'S book on concentration camp): Das ist vollkommen ehrlich und richtig und gut geschrieben. Dann, dieser Streit zwischen GÖRING und HIMMLER wegen der Gestapo - der wollte Seine S.S. da draußen immer aus den Lagern in PRUSSIA haben und GÖRING, als Preußischer Minister, der wollte sie unbedingt haben. Die Sachen stehen alle drin. Das ist sehr interessant.

?: Haben Sie das fertig?

M 159: Ja, der BASSENGE M hat es. Fragen Sie mal den BASSENGE, ob er es fertig hat, oder vielleicht liest er gerade etwas anderes, denn lesen Sie es gleich..

?: Und das heißt?

M 159: BÜRGERMOOR, Konzentrationslager BÜRGERMOOR. Das können Sie als ein Buch nehmen, was richtig dieses ganze Leben gibt. Dass Schweinereien vorgekommen sind, vor allem in den Untersuchungsstellen, darüber, glaube ich, ist gar kein Zweifel. Ich kenne selber eine Anzahl, denen so und so passiert ist. Es waren irgendwelche Flegel, die einfach daher gegangen sind und dann die Leute verhaut haben, oder sonst etwas gemacht haben.

C.S.D.I.C. (U.K.) DISTRIBUTION:

Information received: 22 Jul 43

See TRANSLATION