GÖRING: He suggested that I should tell the Führer to make a change in the Foreign Office immediately and to replace Ribbentrop with Von Papen.
DR. SAUTER: Then, a last question on behalf of the Defendant Schirach. Do you recall another letter which the Defendant Schirach wrote, as far as I know, in the spring of 1943? This was a letter occasioned by one from Bormann and, so that you will know just which letter I mean, I shall briefly explain the connection. Bormann at that time dispatched letters, as a formality, to all Gauleiter, according to which the Gauleiter were to report whether they had any ties with foreign countries. Schirach was well aware at the time that this letter was meant solely for him, for the other Gauleiter had no relatives in foreign countries. Schirach wrote a letter which, as far as I know, you read. And thereupon you are supposed to have intervened on behalf of Schirach. Please tell us what kind of letter it was, what was the danger threatening Schirach, and what you and others did to avert this danger?
GÖRING: I must correct that, and I am fully acquainted with this incident. This letter of Bormann’s was not directed to the Gauleiter to establish whether they personally had connections abroad. Bormann sent, by order of the Führer, a letter to all Gauleiter, and it was not a pro forma letter intended solely for Gauleiter Schirach, but was intended for all. They were to check the political leaders within their jurisdiction to establish whether any of their co-workers or any political leader subordinate to them had family ties or connections abroad, especially in enemy countries, whereby the individual affected might, in some circumstances, have a conflict of conscience or might be of questionable reliability. That was a general directive of the Führer, which also applied to the Officer Corps and not solely to the case of Schirach. I was at headquarters when Schirach’s letter arrived and Bormann gave it to the Führer. Schirach replied that, before he could take any steps in this matter with regard to his collaborators or subordinates, he needed some clarification by the Führer as far as his own person was concerned. He went on to describe in brief, in his letter, his family ties in the United States of America, on his mother’s side, and also mentioned in this letter that his connection with his relatives abroad was a very cordial one and asked whether, under these circumstances, it was still possible for the Führer to retain him in his position as Gauleiter. At that time the Führer had not been kindly disposed to Von Schirach for several months and had repeatedly considered withdrawing him from office. He said on this occasion—and that is how I came into possession of this letter, for he handed it to me: “Schirach seems to plan for his future protection. I have a certain suspicion.” Then, in the presence of Bormann, I told the Führer very clearly and definitely that this was entirely unfounded; that I could not understand his attitude toward Schirach, and that Schirach had done the only possible and decent thing when, before dismissing any of his collaborators or subordinates for such reasons, he demanded the clarification of his own position, since his connections were known; and that, in my opinion, this letter had no other purpose.
DR. SAUTER: Then, however, in connection with this letter, a rather strange suggestion seems to have been made by someone for further action against Schirach?
GÖRING: I know that Bormann and Himmler were opposed to Schirach. Whether they wanted to give this letter an entirely different interpretation in order to induce the Führer to recall Schirach and eliminate him, and how far Himmler’s suggestion went, whether protective custody was considered, I do not know. But I heard about these things from other sources later on.
DR. SAUTER: Your Honor, I have no further questions.
FLOTTENRICHTER OTTO KRANZBÜHLER (Counsel for Defendant Dönitz): Reich Marshal, when did you become acquainted with Admiral Dönitz?
GÖRING: I met Admiral Dönitz for the first time in his capacity as Admiral and Commander of U-boats during the war, as far as I remember in 1940, at a conference in my special train, in France, I believe.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Was the conference concerned with military or political questions?
GÖRING: Purely military questions, namely, as to how far now and in the future the Air Force could provide reconnaissance for U-boats in the Atlantic. The then Admiral Dönitz complained that the reconnaissance was too weak and urgently requested me to strengthen it and, as far as I remember, to have it extended to as far as 30 degrees.