NMT Case 6

USA vs. Carl Krauch, et al.

Trial VI, The United States of America vs. Carl Krauch, et al, more commonly known as the "IG Farben Trial" took place between August 1947 and July 1948. Twenty-four defendants, all members of the directing board (Vorstand) of IG Farben, were charged. During the trial, the prosecution introduced 1600 written exhibits; the defense introduced over 2000. A total of 187 witnesses testified; the trial transcript exceeds 16,000 pages. The defendants were charged with crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, as well as membership in the SS.

The case against IG Farben, the largest chemical concern in the world, centered on its participation in planning and waging aggressive war; plunder and spoliation of property in countries overrun by Germany; enslavement and mass murder of inmates of concentration camps (especially the camp at Auschwitz/Monowitz, where the firm built one of its biggest facilities, using slave labor from inmates); and development of poison gas (including Zyklon B) used to murder concentration camp inmates.

The Tribunal found that IG Farben made a valuable contribution to Germany's rearmament program and German preparations for war, and collaborated to the fullest extent with the Nazi regime, but the tribunal acquitted the defendants of charges of planning and waging aggressive war. The Tribunal found that IG Farben participated extensively in the plunder and spoliation program, and found most defendants guilty on Count Two. Similarly, the Tribunal found that IG Farben was heavily involved in the slave labor program, and particularly responsible for conditions at its Auschwitz facility, finding many defendants guilty on Count Three.

Indictment

Count One: Planning, Preparation, Initiation, and Waging of Wars of Aggression and Invasions of Other Countries

  • Active participation in building up German armed forces
  • Aggressive military efforts to acquire territory, raw materials, resources
  • IG Farben was "essential to the German war effort in respect of rubber, gasoline, explosives, poisonous gases, light metals, and other materials"

Count Two: Plunder and Spoliation

  • Participation in Aryanization (confiscation of Jewish property)
  • Confiscation and exploitation of firms, manufacturing plants, facilities, materials, supplies

Count Three: Deportation for Slave Labor

  • Enslavement of civilians from occupied territories and of concentration camp inmates
  • Subjecting enslaved workers to degrading, brutal, inhumane conditions
  • Construction and operation of Auschwitz facility for production of buna (synthetic rubber) and gasoline

Count Four: Membership in the SS

Count Five: Common Plan or Conspiracy (Count dismissed by Tribunal)

Chronology Overview

  • Indictment filed 3 May 1947
  • Arraignment 14 August 1947
  • Opening statements 27-28 August 1947
  • Defense opening statements 10-12 January 1948
  • Prosecution closing statement 10-12 May 1948
  • Defense closing statements 12-17 May 1948
  • Judgment 29-30 July 1948

Persons Involved

Military Tribunal VI

  • Curtis Grover Shake, presiding judge
  • James Morris, judge
  • Paul M. Hebert, judge
  • Clarence F. Merrell, alternate judge

Prosecution

  • Brigadier General Telford Taylor, Chief of Counsel for War Crimes
  • Josiah Dubois and Morris Amchan, Chief and Deputy Chief, IG Farben Trial Team

Defendants

  • Carl Krauch
  • Hermann Schmitz
  • Georg von Schnitzler
  • Fritz Gajewski
  • Heinrich Hoerlein
  • August von Knieriem
  • Fritz ter Meer
  • Christian Schneider
  • Otto Ambros
  • Max Brueggemann
  • Ernst Buergin
  • Heinrich Buetefisch
  • Paul Haefliger
  • Max Ilgner
  • Friedrich Jaehne
  • Hans Kuehne
  • Carl Lautenschlaeger
  • Wilhelm Mann
  • Heinrich Oster
  • Karl Wurster
  • Walter Duerrfeld
  • Heinrich Gattineau
  • Erich von der Heyde
  • Hans Kugler

Judgment/Sentences

Carl Krauch: Guilty, counts 2/3/4; six years

Hermann Schmitz: Guilty, count 2; four years

Georg von Schnitzler: Guilty, count 2; five years

Fritz Gajewski: Guilty, count 2; four years

Heinrich Hoerlein: Guilty, count 2; two years

August von Knieriem: Acquitted

Fritz ter Meer: Guilty, counts 2/3; seven years

Christian Schneider: Guilty, count 2; five years

Otto Ambros: Guilty, counts 2/3/4; eight years

Max Brueggemann: Guilty, count 2; two years

Ernst Buergin: Guilty, count 2; two years

Heinrich Buetefisch: Guilty, counts 2/3/4; six years

Paul Haefliger: Guilty, count 2; two years

Max Ilgner: Guilty, count 2; three years

Friedrich Jaehne: Guilty, count 2; one and a half years

Hans Kuehne: Guilty, count 2; one and a half years

Carl Lautenschlaeger: Acquitted

Wilhelm Mann: Guilty, count 2; four years

Heinrich Oster: Guilty, count 2; two years

Karl Wurster: Guilty, count 2; one and a half years

Walter Duerrfeld: Guilty, count 3; eight years

Heinrich Gattineau: Acquitted

Erich von der Heyde: Acquitted

Hans Kugler: Guilty, count 3; one and a half years