The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

44 SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS
“Field Post Number 32704 Kiev, May 16, 1942
B. No. 40/42 –
TOP SECRET!
To
SS-Obersturmbannführer R a u f f
In Berlin
Prinz-Albrecht-Str. 8
1st paragraph:
– 1st sentence: The overhaul of the vehicles at Group D and C is finished.
– 2nd sentence: While the vans of the first group can also be deployed
when the weather conditions are not too bad, the cars belonging to the
second group (Saurer) are absolutely stranded in rainy weather.
– 3rd sentence: For instance, if it has rained a mere half hour, the vehicles
cannot be used because of plain skidding.
– 4th sentence: It can only be used in absolutely dry weather conditions.
– 5th sentence: The question arises now whether one can use the vehicles
only on the execution spot while stationary.
– 6th sentence: First, the vehicle must be brought to this place, which is
only possible in good weather.
– 7th sentence: But in most cases the execution spot is 10 to 15 km off
the traffic routes and is difficult to access already due to its location,
[but] during humid or wet weather not at all.
– 8th sentence: If those to be executed are driven or conducted to this
place, they notice at once what is going on and become unsettled,
which should be avoided if possible.
– 9th sentence: There is only the one way left: to load them up at the
gathering point and then to drive off.
2nd paragraph:
– 10th sentence: I had the vehicles of Group D camouflaged as trailer
homes by having had window shutters mounted, one on each side of
the small vans and two on each side of the big ones, like the ones
which are seen on peasant houses in the countryside.
– 11th sentence: The vehicles had become so well known that not only
the authorities, but also the civilian population called them ‘death
wagons’ as soon as one of the vehicles turned up.