LAHOUSEN: I very clearly recall the hour at which Canaris entered, completely shattered, to tell us that the situation had after all become serious, although it had earlier appeared as if the matter might still be postponed. He told us then: “This is the end.”
COL. AMEN: Did you have conversations with Canaris and the other members of your group with respect to eliminating Nazis from your staff?
LAHOUSEN: While I was still in Vienna, before I took up my post in the OKW, I received instructions from Canaris not to bring any National Socialists with me to his department in Berlin. I was also instructed, whenever possible not to employ Party members or officers sympathizing with the Party in my division, especially in high positions. Thus the actual organization. . . .
COL. AMEN: Did Canaris keep a diary?
LAHOUSEN: Yes, Canaris kept a diary. He did so even before the beginning of the war—a diary to which I personally had to contribute and did contribute much.
COL. AMEN: Was it a part of your duties to make entries in that diary?
LAHOUSEN: No, it was not a part of my actual duties, but it naturally fell to me to write entries on the conferences which I attended with Canaris or as his representative.
COL. AMEN: And did you keep copies of the entries which you made in Canaris’ diary?
LAHOUSEN: Yes, I kept copies, with Canaris’ knowledge and approval.
COL. AMEN: Do you have the original of some of those copies with you here today?