It can be seen from the letter of the personal staff of the Reich Leader SS to the Reich Business Manager of the Ahnenerbe, dated 25 March 1942, how energetically Himmler favored the experiments of Dr. Hirt. This letter states:
“In this connection, please get in touch with Hirt as soon as possible and consider further how Hirt can best be brought closer to us.” (Sievers 53, Sievers Ex. 49.)
It can be seen further from the direct examination of Sievers that Dr. Hirt was a confidant of Himmler, for Sievers was able to establish this fact as early as 1936 and in the subsequent years had an opportunity to repeat this observation. (Tr. pp. 5706-7.)
This can also be established by means of the conference which took place at Easter 1942 regarding the course of which Sievers has given a detailed description. Among other things, Sievers called attention to the fact that Hirt and his anatomical collection, which was a University matter, did not concern the Ahnenerbe in any way.
Himmler became quite active after this aggressive action of Sievers, following which the latter requested an order in writing. (Tr. p. 5715.)
In this connection, the order of Himmler, dated 7 July 1942, must also be mentioned. Figure 2 reads as follows (NO-422, Pros. Ex. 33):
“I order the Ahnenerbe
“1. * * *
“2. To aid in every possible manner the research activities of SS Hauptsturmfuehrer Professor Dr. Hirt and in the same way promote all the experiments and work pertinent to same.”
These facts were necessary in order to clarify matters for the chief instigators, Himmler and Hirt. Everyone cognizant of the conditions knows that it was also impossible in this case to act in any way contrary to the orders issued by Himmler.