The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

326 SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS
Translation & Remarks
(Stamps and handwritten notes outside of text omitted)
The Head of the Security Police Berlin, the 23rd of June 1942
and the SD
II D 3 a (9) Letter No. 668/42
1.) Memo:
Acc. to case II D 3 a –1737/41– 30 special coachworks for the delivered
chassis have been ordered from the Gaubschat Company. 20 vehicles
have already been completed and delivered.
The last 10 chassis have now been delivered and are to be
equipped with coachworks. Although the Gaubschat company is unable
to consider the necessary changes gained from experience, the group
leader has decided on suggestion that all coachworks are nevertheless to
be manufactured by the Gaubschat company, since the Sodomka company
in Hohenmauth, which had been taken into consideration, does not
seem to be suited for secrecy. (Czech company in a purely Czech area
with technical staff.)
It is suggested to implement initially in 1 coachwork the changes
listed in the following letter and to test them in practice. Changes which
cannot be considered there for reasons of secrecy are to be made in an
in-house workshop.
2.) Letter:
To the
Vehicle Works Gaubschat
Berlin Neukölln
Willi Walterstr.
Reg.: Coachworks for 10 delivered Saurer Chassis
Ref.: Letter sales Wa/Ka. Of 14 May [19]42, Kom. 63429-433.
Before initiating the production of the 10 coachworks we ask
to take note of the following regarding the changes to the coachworks
as discussed in the above mentioned letter and as discussed in
person on 16 June [19]42 between your Herr Ernst and Herr Krüger
and our technical head secretary a. Pr.[?] Sukkel: