The Gas Vans: A Critical Investigation - Holocaust Handbooks

60 SANTIAGO ALVAREZ, THE GAS VANS
2.2.3.4. 22 June 1942 from Berlin
This is the draft for an outgoing telegram allegedly sent to Riga in
response to their request for more trucks:
“Reichssicherheitshauptamt Berlin, 22 June 1942
I1 D 3 a B. No. 240142 s[ecret] S[tate]M[atter]
Secret State Matter!
1.) T[ele]G[ram]
To the Commander of the Security Police and the SD Ostland
in Riga
Subject: S Wagon
The transfer of a 5 t Saurer can be expected middle of next
month. The vehicle is currently at the Imperial Security Main Office
for repairs and to make minor changes. 100 m hose will be sent
along.
p.p.
(signature as head)
2.) F[ollow-]u[p]. immmediately at II D 3 a (9)
p.p.
Rauff
[page 2]
Tasks:
1) When can the deployment of another S-wagon be expected?
2) Are (?) exhaust hoses available, on order or when deliverable?
3) submit draft for answer”
The typed text on page two is a copy of what had been handwritten
below the Riga telegram, where the typist couldn’t discern the word
“spare” (German: Reserve).
This document is the link between the two telegrams discussed before,
as a handwritten note on page one of the original allegedly states:
“No. T. J Niederhausen for further action and please note the
remark of 13 July 42 on the back of the telegram from Belgrade. For
technical reasons only five rings of 10 m each can be sent.”
The remark of 13 July 1942 mentioned that the truck sent back from
Serbia had been repaired and that it is to be sent off to – where exactly?
The telegram requesting the van came from Riga without indicating that
the vans ought to be sent elsewhere, so Berlin had to assume that the
van had to be sent to Riga. That this was indeed initially anticipated is