text: Le 14 mai 1974, votre collaborateur m’avait demandé l’autorisation de publier ce texte. Il écrivait en propres termes : « (Je) vous demande si vous n’avez pas d’objection à formuler contre sa publication éventuelle . » Je lui répondais, par lettre R.A.R. du 21 mai, que je m’opposais à cette publication d’une lettre personnelle. Or, le 11 août, précisément en pleine campagne de presse, je voyais paraître ce texte, sous la responsabilité de M. Viansson-Ponté. J’y étais, sous la plume de Mme Delbo traité de « pauvre dément », de professeur qui s’est documenté uniquement pour avoir « des preuves contre la vérité », d’« esprit perverti » ; quant au titre de ce « témoignage », il me faisait tout simplement grief de « falsifier ». N’importe quel honnête homme trouvera, je pense, de tels procédés indignes d’un grand journal. J’y vois, pour ma part, une bassesse comme je n’en découvre pas dans les autres publications qui m’ont attaqué. Et c’est le Monde qui a eu cette conduite. Je ne l’admettrai jamais. Et, bien franchement, je ne crois pas que vous soyez prêts, tous deux, à lui trouver des excuses. Votre journal me doit réparation. Voilà trois ans que je la réclame. J’ai été correct avec vous. Je ne me suis laissé aller à aucun écart de langage. Rendez-moi cette justice que ma réponse de 1974 (sur « le droit au doute et à la recherche ») ainsi que ma réponse de 1977 (sur « le problème des chambres à gaz ») sont d’un tout autre ton que la publication injurieuse, insérée dans votre journal, après des mois de réflexion peut-être, par M. Viansson-Ponté.
  Recevez, Messieurs, je vous prie, l’expression de ma confiance en votre discernement et en votre courage. [Publié dans Vérité historique ou vérité politique ?, Paris, La Vieille Taupe, 1980, p. 79-81.]
  Lauzanne,
  Remarque : Le journaliste dit vrai, en substance. L’historien minimise les souffrances de certains déportés dans certains camps. Il n’a retenu que des témoignages qui allaient dans son sens. Il a voulu démontrer qu’on s’était rendu coupable de colossales exagérations, dans la description de la vie des camps. Tenant compte de ce qui lui apparaissait comme trente ans d’une propagande d’horreurs, il a rappelé certains points des déclarations de Margaret Buber (-Neumann), de Charlotte Bormann (p. 25b), du Dr Barton (p. 29a-b) et de « centaines de déclarations sous serment faites pour les procès de Nuremberg » mais non mises en évidence (p. 28b). A propos de Bergen-Belsen (la plupart des photos d’horreur concernent ce camp partiellement hôpital), il parle de « chaos » à la fin de la guerre (p. 28b). Alinéa 8 (bis). Le journaliste dit que, pour R. E. H., aucun camp de concentration « n’a jamais comporté de "chambres à gaz", ni de véritables fours crématoires ».
  "Die Tat",
  "Rampart",
  Berta Schirotschin,
  Richard E. Harwood,
  NI-9912 reduces to naught all the supposed “witnesses’ accounts”, without
  exception, on the use of Zyklon B to kill human beings.
  comes from the archives of the Nuremberg trials. It was registered by the
  Americans at a late date: August 21, 1947, in the “NI” category (Nuremberg,
  Industrialists). It was taken from the archives of the Degesch company and
  listed under four headings, among which that of “Atrocities” (sic). I reproduce it below in near facsimile with a few slight corrections.
  original, in the form of four large pages to be posted on walls, was a notice
  that must have been distributed in a great many copies; the specimen translated
  here was issued by the Prague Health Authority, doubtless in the midst of the
  war (German text here). The contents show that its purpose was to convey instructions for the use
  of Zyklon (prussic or hydrocyanic acid) to destroy vermin in buildings which
  could be either civil or military (apartment blocks, barracks, etc.). The
  document fittingly reminds us of a truth learnt from experience: of all deadly
  weapons, gas will probably long remain the most unwieldy; when it kills, it
  kills so well that it can be fatal to the killer who decides to use it. If it
  is quite easy to kill with prussic acid, it is also quite difficult to kill anyone
  nearby without running terrible risks oneself.
  document describes the properties of Zyklon, its risk of explosion, its toxicity.
  Only persons possessing a certificate obtained after special training may use
  the product. A gassing’s planning and preparations call for measures and tasks requiring
  several hours, possibly days. Then comes the operation itself. Among many
  details we note here that Zyklon is not to be poured out into a pile or through
  the air. To produce the desired effect it must be spread thinly on paper mats;
  none of it is to be lost anywhere: all will be recovered in due course. It will
  take from six to thirty-two hours to kill the pests (sixteen hours on average).
  Then will come the most critical moment, that of aeration. The text says: “Aeration
  presents the greatest danger for both participants and non-participants. It is
  therefore necessary to proceed with particular caution, and always wearing a
  gasmask.” This aeration will have to last “at least twenty hours”. Sentries,
  during all that time and even afterwards, must remain near the building. To
  make sure that no gas remains, the specialists, again in gasmasks, enter the
  premises with a strip of paper that will indicate the presence of any residual
  gas. Twenty hours previously, the simple opening of doors and windows, as well as
  easy tasks of moving “planking and sealing items” (an effort amounting to
  nothing compared with the dragging away of hundreds or even thousands of corpses)
  had presented a certain danger – that inherent in a possible acceleration of
  the breathing – since, after the aeration of each floor, the team had had to go
  outside, remove their masks and breathe fresh air for at least ten minutes. All
  the rest is in a similar vein and I leave it to the reader to discover in each
  line of this document how absurd by comparison the stories of our false
  witnesses are. [R. Faurisson's note]
  Office of Chief of Counsel for War
  Crimes. DIRECTIVES FOR THE USE OF PRUSSIC ACID (ZYKLON)
  1. Properties of prussic acid. (hydrocyanic acid) Prussic
  acid is a gas which is generated by evaporation.
  Boiling point: 26 degree Centigrade. Freezing
  point: - 15 degrees Cent. Specific
  gravity: 0.69
  Steam density: 0.97. (Air: 1.0) The liquid
  evaporates easily. Liquid: transparent, colourless. Smell: peculiar, repulsively sweet. Extraordinarily
  great penetrative powers. Prussic acid is
  soluble in water. Danger of explosion. 75 g prussic acid 1 cbm air. (Normal
  application approx. 8-10 g per cbm,
  therefore not explosive). Prussic acid may not be brought into contact with an open flame, glowing wires etc., because
  then it burns up slowly
  and loses all its effectiveness. (carbonic
  acid, water and
  nitrogen are formed). Toxic effects on warm-blooded
  animals. Since prussic acid has practically no
  indicative irritant
  effect it is highly toxic and very
  dangerous. Prussic acid
  is one of the most powerful poisons. 1
  mg per kg of body
  weight is sufficient to kill a human
  being. Women and
  children are generally more susceptible
  than men. Very
  amounts of prussic acid do not harm the
  particularly susceptible to prussic
  Toxic effects on insects. The effects of prussic acid on insects
  is, it is also effective in low temperatures (even at
  degrees Cent.) The eggs of many insects, particularly of
  and lice, are more susceptible than the full-grown
  The degree of toxicity depends on the type
  the plants. Plants with thick leaves are less susceptible
  those with thin ones. Mildew and dry-rot are not
  by prussic acid. Prussic acid does not destroy bacteria.
  Method of using prussic acid.
  is the absorption of a mixture of prussic acid and an
  by a carrier. Wood fibre discs, a reddish brown
  mass (Diagriess - Dia gravel) or small blue cubes
  are used as carriers.
  Apart from serving its purpose as
  indicator, this
  also has the advantage of stimulating the respiration
  insects. Prussic acid and the irritant are generated through
  simple evaporation. Zyklon will keep for 3 months. Use
  damaged cans first. The contents of a can must all be
  up at once. Liquid prussic acid damages polish, lacquer,
  etc. Gaseous prussic acid is harmless, The toxicity
  the prussic acid remains unchanged by the addition of the
  the danger connected with it is however
  Zyklon can be rendered [omitted:
  inoffensive] by combustion.
  headache, vomiting, general feeling of
  etc. All these symptoms pass if one immediately
  out into the fresh air. Alcohol reduces resistance to
  acid gassing, therefore do not drink alcohol before
  fumigation. Prescribe: 1 tablet Cardiazol or Veriazol in order to prevent
  heart disorders, if necessary repeat after 2-3 hours.
  poisoning. The affected person
  will collapse suddenly and faint. First Aid: fresh air, remove gas mask, loosen clothing,
  Do not give camphor
  original [translator’s note]) 3. Poisoning through the skin. Symptoms as for 1. Treat in the same way.
  poisoning. Treat with Lobelin
  intermuscular 0.01g. ferrous sulphate burnt magnesia. IV. Protection against gas. When
  fumigation with Zyklon use only special
  schaft Berlin or of the Draegerwerke,
  Luebeck. Should gas
  change filters after also checking the mask
  and its fit to
  they are tight. The filter insert is exhausted
  if gas enters through the mask. If using
  filter “J”, first
  move around in the open air for approx. 2
  minutes so
  that a certain amount of moisture from the
  breath may gather
  in the filter insert.
  Under no circumstances should filters
  be changed inside gas-filled rooms. V. Personnel.
  A disinfestation
  squad consisting of at least 2 members is employed for each disinfestation project. The fumigation 3
  is responsible for the fumigation. His particular
  are inspection, airing, release and safety measures.
  fumigation chief is to appoint a deputy in case he has
  leave. The orders of the fumigation chief are to be
  Untrained persons or persons who are
  trained but who
  not yet hold a certificate may not be called in to work
  gassing operations, nor may they be taken into gas-filled rooms.
  The fumigation chief must also know where to contact
  personnel. Every person must at all times be able to prove
  that he has official authorization for the use of prussic
  acid for extermination purposes.
  Equipment. Each member must at all times carry with
  2. At least 2 special filter inserts against
  Zyklon prussic acid.
  3. The leaflet “First Aid for prussic acid
  disinfestation squad must at all times carry:
  lever or pickhammer for opening the cans of Zyklon.
  OF DOC. NO.
  NI-9912
  All equipment is to be kept clean and in
  good order at all times. Damage
  of heating shafts, air shafts, breaks in the
  the space. (Do not rely on drawings but take measurements yourself. Take only
  outside measurements, include walls)
  domestic animals, plants, food and drink, undeveloped photographic plates and
  gas mask filters.)
  5. Find which opening will be particularly
  7. Fix the date for the fumigation and the time for
  8. If necessary, arrange safety measures
  for the neighbourhood in good time.
  original [translator’s note]) 5. Remove all food. 6. Remove all plants and
  domestic animals (aquaria etc.) 7. Remove
  all undeveloped photographic plates and films. 8. Remove
  adhesive plaster, all medical supplies, whether open or in paper bags
  (particularly coal). 9. Remove all gas mask filters. 10. Prepare for check on results. 11. Clear
  out personnel. 12. Take
  over keys (every door key) IX. The strength
  of the gas and time required for it to take
  effect depend on the type of vermin the temperature the amount of furniture in the rooms the imperviousness of the building For inside temperatures of more than 5 degrees Cent. it is
  customary to use 8 g prussic acid per
  cbm. Time needed to take effect: 16 hours, unless there are special circumstances such as a closed-in type of building, which requires less time. If the weather is warm
  it is possible to reduce this to a minimum of 6 hours.
  is below 5 deg. Cent. The strength and time as
  above are to be applied in the case of: bugs, lice, fleas
  etc., with eggs, larves and
  chrysales. For clothes-moths: temperatures above
  10 deg. Cent. 16 g per cbm and 24 hours to take effect. For flour-moths: same as for bugs. X. Fumigation of a building. 6
  2. Unpack the boxes of Zyklon. Make the
  appropriate amount ready
  3. Distribute the cans. One man to go into the
  receive the cans which have been brought up by the work detachment
  and to distribute them. (Have them put next to
  pads.)
  5. Post the guard. Fumigation chief to instruct
  6. Check that sealing and clearing have been
  Open the cans and pour out their contents. The contents
  to be spread thinly so that the Zyklon can evaporate quickly
  and the necessary density of the gas can be achieved
  soon as possible. This process is to start on the top
  but the cellar is to be dealt with before the ground
  should the cellar have ne exit. Rooms which have been
  with should as far as possible not be re-entered.
  processing is to be done slowly and calmly. The
  particularly should only be used slowly. The processing
  The exit door to be locked, sealed [omitted:
  do not forget the lock]
  to the fumigation chief.
  On the door fix a warning sign with the legend “Danger-
  gas. Danger to life; no admittance.” This warning
  is to be in several languages if necessary, and in any case
  it must be marked with at least one death’s head, clearly
  Gas masks, apparatus for resuscitation and gas detectors
  to be kept available at all times. Every member of the fumigation
  squad must know where these objects are located.
  12. At least one member of the fumigation squad must always remain near the
  building which is being fumigated. The guard must be notified of his position.
  and others. Therefore it must be carried out particularly carefully and a gas
  mask should always be
  worn. The airing should place according
  to the following principles: pure air should always be within reach in the
  shortest possible time and the gas should flow out to that
  side where it cannot endanger people who
  are not participating. Should the airing be difficult one trained man should
  remain in front of the building in order to watch how the gas is blowing away.
  1. Take care to see that no strangers
  remain in the vicinity of the building.
  2. Post the guards in such a way that
  they are not annoyed
  by the gas as it blows out, but can
  still watch the entrances to the building.
  4. Enter building. Close door, but do
  5. First open the windows on that side
  where there is no wind. Air floor by
  floor. Start on the
  ground floor and after each floor take
  at least 10 minutes’
  6. Doors leading to the corridor,
  between rooms and windows must be opened
  in each room. Should there be difficulty in opening
  any of the windows
  they should only be opened after most of
  the gas has blown away.
  7. Partitions and other methods used to seal the room which cannot be replaced quickly should only be removed after most of the gas has blown away. 8. Care should be taken to see that the heating system and water pipes do not freeze should there be frost or danger of it. 9. Rooms with valuable contents,
  such as clothing stores
  etc. may be locked again after [sic,
  for as soon as]
  the windows have been opened. 10. Windows and doors which have
  been opened should be fastened in such a way that they cannot slam. 11. Covers in chimneys may be
  removed after the provisional release [sic, for clearance] of the
  building. 12. The airing should continue
  for at least 20 hours
  13. The guard should remain near
  the building during the whole of this time. XII. Provisional release. A fumigated room may be released
  provisionally as soon as the paper strip of the gas
  detector is of a lighter
  blue than the centre colour pattern,
  when the doors and
  windows are open. Only work concerned
  with airing and
  clearing up may be done in the rooms
  provisionally released. Under no
  circumstances may anyone
  rest or sleep in these rooms. The doors
  and windows must be left open
  all the time. XIII. Clearing up after provisional release. 1. Remove remains of Zyklon from the fumigated rooms. They should generally be sent back to the factory in the
  same way as cans and boxes. Before boxes are sent
  back from the fumigated rooms the inscription “Poison” must be removed from them. Damp, wet
  or soiled remains as well as
  may be thrown on a rubbish or slag heap, but may never
  emptied into drains. 2. Mattresses, straw palliasses, pillows:
  and similar items must be shaken or beaten for at least
  one hour in the open air (if rainy at least 2 hours
  the hall) under the supervision of the fumigation chief [omitted: or his deputy].
  If possible the stuffing of straw palliasses should be changed.
  The old stuffing may not however be burnt, but
  be re-used after it has been aired for a further period.
  Should the chimneys have been covered from above, these
  coverings must be removed carefully since otherwise there
  is a danger that the fires in the stoves and hearths will
  not have sufficient draught, which may cause carbon monoxide
  After the final release has been made, two copies of a fumigation
  report are to be filled in in the prescribed
  The following points in particular should be shown:
  Time at which dis-infested rooms were released.
  Under no circumstances less than 21 hours after airing
  All items removed for beating are to be taken back into
  In rooms with heating facilities a temperature of at
  15 deg. Cent. must be produced.
  5. Gas detecting. The paper strip may not show a
  blue than
  the lightest colour even between blankets and
  mattresses which have been placed on top of each other, or in rooms
  which are not easily accessible and which it
  difficult to air. Should this not be the case, airing
  continued and the check for gas repeated after a
  few hours. 6. The check for gas must be made in each room
  again to be used as sleeping accommodation as
  possible. Under no circumstances may anyone
  sleep in a room
  which has been fumigated in the night following
  fumigation. The windows must always remain open during
  night that the room is used again. 7. The fumigation chief or his deputy may not leave
  until the very last room has been finally released.
  Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia in Prague. CERTIFICATE OF TRANSLATION.
  I, DOROTHEA L. GALEWSKI,
  ETO # 34079, hereby certify
  correct translation of Document No. NI-9912. DOROTHEA
  L. GALEWSKI ETO
  34079 11
  disinfestation gas chambers,
  Dorothea L. Galewski,
  Vergasung,