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Full-Text Articles in History

Donde Las Nubes Se Unen Al Mar = Where The Clouds Meet The Water, Kimberly E. Contag Jan 2021

Donde Las Nubes Se Unen Al Mar = Where The Clouds Meet The Water, Kimberly E. Contag

MSU Authors Collection

Donde las nubes se unen al mar (2021) es la traducción de la narrativa histórica Where the Clouds Meet the Water (2004), un libro que explica la saga de Ernesto Contag Ziehe y su familia durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Ernesto y su familia fueron deportados de su patria ecuatoriana a la Alemania de los Nazis en 1942. La narrativa histórica que se lee casi como novela se basa en la investigación en bibliotecas, hemerotecas y archivos en tres continentes y en los documentos originales de los sobrevivientes de este canje político internacional de inocentes.

Donde las nubes se unen …


Where The Clouds Meet The Water, Kimberly E. Contag, James A. (Jim) Grabowska Jan 2004

Where The Clouds Meet The Water, Kimberly E. Contag, James A. (Jim) Grabowska

MSU Authors Collection

Where the Clouds Meet the Water follows the historical journey of the German Ecuadorian widower, Ernst Contag, and his four young children from their home in the South American Andes to Nazi Germany in 1942. Blacklisted as an enemy alien, Ernst Contag and his children are forcibly repatriated to the country of Ernst's grandparents as part of a diplomatic exchange arranged by the United States' State Department and cooperating countries. In Nazi Germany, Ernst and his children must deny their Ecuadorian past and learn to live as Germans. The Contag family strives to keep the ray of hope in their …


Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, February 10, 1944, Heinrich Harmjanz Feb 1944

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, February 10, 1944, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Heinrich Harmjanz writes to Wolfram Sievers in 1944 to thank him for his holiday wishes and for thinking of him. Now in the military, he discusses former colleagues, whether or not to continue the Ahnenerbe folk studies journal, the protection of the Atlas of German Folklore materials during the war, and complexities of publishing.


Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Sturmbannführer Noot Of The Sd, October 30, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Sturmbannführer Noot Of The Sd, October 30, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Schwalm summarizes a meeting with SS-Sturmbannführer Noot in which Noot promised that relevant SD documents would be made available to Schwalm in the areas of Germanic culture and scientific research. The situation in Norway was discussed, including political tension following the death of Minister Lunde. Skepticism was noted concerning the success of German research endeavors in Norway, partly attributed to political uncertainty and partly to "weary" Norwegian blood. It was noted however that the work was important and should be attempted nonetheless as even a negative result was significant for making decisions about the reconstruction of Europe.


Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Obersturmführer Dr. Vollberg, October 25, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Obersturmführer Dr. Vollberg, October 25, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Hans Schwalm reports on a meeting with SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Vollberg of the SD on October 23, 1942. The meeting focuses on the anti-German sentiment of the Norwegian science community. It is noted that the University of Oslo had been rejecting members of Nasjonal Samling and German patience was wearing thin. They additionally discussed individual scientists with anti-German sentiments, including Anton Wilhelm Brøgger, Sigurd Grieg, Carl Marstrander, and Johannes Bøe. Of particular concern was the appointment of Johannes Bøe to a prestigious position without consulting the German occupiers. Schwalm asked to be informed on such topics. They additionally discussed Eberhard Günther …


Report By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Sd Literature Advisor Ss-Hauptsturmführer Falk, October 21, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Report By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Sd Literature Advisor Ss-Hauptsturmführer Falk, October 21, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

In this document, Hans Schwalm describes a meeting with SS-Hauptsturmführer Falk, literature advisor of the SD. Falk was unable to recommend individuals to collaborate on Ahnenerbe work, but recommended Schwalm reach out to Fin Halvorsen and SS-Obersturmführer Bischof. He described struggling efforts by Gudmud Schnittler to publish a Norwegian lexikon, attributing the failure to anti-German sentiment and refusal to collaborate. He also warns against the circle of people led by Gulbrund Lunde, as they were focused on Norse identity ("norrön") in opposition to a pan-Germanic concept of identity, including efforts to purge German influences from the Norwegian language.


Report By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Alfred Huhnhäuser, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Report By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Alfred Huhnhäuser, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

This report by Hans Schwalm on a meeting with Alfred Huhnhäuser discusses possibilities for creating a centralized research institute in Norway. Huhnhäuser was disappointed that his plan would receive no support as long as it included the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Society as the main tie to Germany. He and Schwalm discuss other options. Schwalm reports on the situation of the Ahnenerbe in pursuing such a project, indicating that they are 2 1/2 years behind Huhnhäuser, who has achieved great respect and built solid connections. He indicates that it would be better to work with Huhnhäuser than pursue such a project separately. The document …


Letter From Hans Schwalm Regarding His Work In Norway To Schneider And Wolfram Sievers, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Letter From Hans Schwalm Regarding His Work In Norway To Schneider And Wolfram Sievers, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Schwalm writes to Schneider and Sievers regarding the difficulties of his work in Norway, focusing on lack of proper offices and his planned stay in Posen, which he is hoping will be cancelled to prevent an interruption of the work in Norway. Schwalm indicates the work is not progressing well and any interruption would mean having to start all over again.


Report From Schwalm On A Meeting With Ivar Sæter, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Report From Schwalm On A Meeting With Ivar Sæter, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Schwalm describes a meeting with Ivar Saeter of the National Teacher's Federation of Norway. He provides a summary of Saeter's military background and his lack of interest in and connection to the Teacher's association. In the meeting, Saeter described the types of people found in the NS (conquerors, sychophants, those aiming to restore an independent Norway and those who wish to collaborate with Germans) and the overall Norwegian situation. It is stated that the concept of Lebensraum means that Norway must be part of a greater Germain Reich and Norwegians should think of themselves as Germanic but not German. Saeter …


Confidential Statement From Hans Schwalm To Hans-Ernst Schneider And Wolfram Sievers On Objections To The Book "Norwegian History" By Martin Gerlach, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Confidential Statement From Hans Schwalm To Hans-Ernst Schneider And Wolfram Sievers On Objections To The Book "Norwegian History" By Martin Gerlach, October 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

In this confidential note, Schwalm discusses a book by German professor Martin Gerlach titled "Norwegian History". Ministerial Councilor Huhnhäuser had several objections to the book's content, with which Schwalm agrees upon a cursory review of the manuscript. The objections relate to the author's Christian perspective and lack of focus on pre-Christian pan-Germanic cultural heritage. It is noted that the book fills a missing gap, that of the German perspective on Norwegian history, and would therefore sell well and be considered the official position of German authorities, due to the regime's reputation for censorship. The letter concludes with a three point …


Statement By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Obersturmführer Dr. Ritz Of The Sd, October 15, 1942, Hans Schwalm Oct 1942

Statement By Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Ss-Obersturmführer Dr. Ritz Of The Sd, October 15, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Hans Schwalm describes a meeting with SS-Obersturmführer Dr. Ritz regarding plans of Alfred Huhnhäuser for a broad-reaching research facility in Norway. The note describes the challenges involved in such a plan, including the involvement of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society and negative sentiment among Norwegian intellectuals due to the imposition of martial law in Trondheim. It is stated that contact may take long to establish and that a trip to Posen for Schwalm would break off work entirely.


Letter From Rudolf Brandt Of Heinrich Himmler's Personal Staff To Ss-Gruppenführer Berger Of The Ss Main Office, September 28,1942, Rudolf Brandt Sep 1942

Letter From Rudolf Brandt Of Heinrich Himmler's Personal Staff To Ss-Gruppenführer Berger Of The Ss Main Office, September 28,1942, Rudolf Brandt

Norwegian Projects

A letter from Rudolf Brandt of the Reichsführer-SS Personal Staff, in which he states that the recipient, SS-Gruppenführer Berger of the SS Main Office, has been unjust to SS-Obersturmbannführer Dr. Richert. He states the Reichsführer SS is supportive of proposals to form a research institute in Norway in cooperation with the Ahnenerbe.


Note From Gottlob Berger To Wolfram Sievers With Forwarded Letter To Heinrich Himmler, September 22, 1942, Gottlob Berger Sep 1942

Note From Gottlob Berger To Wolfram Sievers With Forwarded Letter To Heinrich Himmler, September 22, 1942, Gottlob Berger

Norwegian Projects

This document includes a note from Gottlob Berger to Wolfram Sievers accompanying a copy of a letter to Heinrich Himmler. In the note to Sievers, Berger comments on the rival plans of Hans Schwalm and Gustav Richert for a centralized research institution in Norway, stating that it could not be allowed to have two separate organizations. The letter to Himmler includes comments on the struggles of the Ahnenerbe in creating its reputation and the importance of establishing the Ahnenerbe as the authorititive scientific research institution, as well as doubts regarding the authenticity of Richert. It concludes with a push for …


Note By Schwalm On A Meeting With Hans Jacobsen, September 18,1942, Hans Schwalm Sep 1942

Note By Schwalm On A Meeting With Hans Jacobsen, September 18,1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Schwalm describes a meeting with Hans Jacobsen, Fylkesmann of Østfold and founder of the journal Ragnarok. In the meeting, Schwalm inquired about individuals from the Ragnarok circle who might be useful in the cultural and racial research projects he wished to conduct in Norway. Most individuals mentioned were not suitable for various reasons, often anti-NS and anti-German sentiment due to events and behavior related to the occupation of Norway. Jacobsen himself was willing to contribute but did not show interest in leadership of a committee. They agreed to continue to meet as circumstances allowed.


Statement From Hans Schwalm, September 18, 1942., Hans Schwalm Sep 1942

Statement From Hans Schwalm, September 18, 1942., Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

Statement from Dr. Schwalm on a meeting with Dr. Huhnhäuser in which it was determined that Huhnhäuser would be informed of the results of upcoming meetings and his program would be on hold until that point.


Report By Schwalm On The History Of Competing Efforts To Establish A Centralized Research Association In Norway, September 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm Sep 1942

Report By Schwalm On The History Of Competing Efforts To Establish A Centralized Research Association In Norway, September 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm

Norwegian Projects

This document offers a description of competing efforts to establish a centralized research association in Norway. The primary interests of many stakeholders were racial biology and ethnology, though Huhnhäuser was shown to want an organization encompassing all fields of research. The note concludes with future plans for coordination between the R.u.S. and the Ahnenerbe as well as a note of warning against a plan to create an R.u.S. office within the NS as it would strip the work of German control.


Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Alfred Huhnhäuser And Forwarded Copy Of Huhnhäuser's Proposal For A Norwegian Research Association, September 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm, Alfred Huhnhäuser Sep 1942

Report From Hans Schwalm On A Meeting With Alfred Huhnhäuser And Forwarded Copy Of Huhnhäuser's Proposal For A Norwegian Research Association, September 17, 1942, Hans Schwalm, Alfred Huhnhäuser

Norwegian Projects

Schwalm reports on a meeting with Dr. Huhnhäuser concerning the Reichskommissariat Science and Education Department, the establishment of a centralized research association in Norway, literature propaganda and future collaboration. He discusses the incorporation of Huhnhäuser into the SS to facilitate future work as well as Huhnhäuser's work to promote German literature, particularly to counteract the literature distributed by German emigrants. The primary focus is on the possibility of creating a centralized research institute through close German-Norwegian collaboration. Schwalm notes that Huhnhäuser's plans fit with the Ahnenerbe goals. The attached paper by Huhnhäuser describes the current situation and the importance of …


Note By Wolfram Sievers On A Meeting With Gottlob Berger, August 17, 1942, Wolfram Sievers Aug 1942

Note By Wolfram Sievers On A Meeting With Gottlob Berger, August 17, 1942, Wolfram Sievers

Norwegian Projects

Wolfram Sievers reports on a meeting with Berger, who requests an Ahnenerbe science advisor for SS-Sturmbannführer Neumann, soon to be dispatched to Oslo. Sievers noted that he could not spare anyone else, but Hans Schwalm, already in Oslo, could assist. Berger also recommended that Sievers get a decree from Himmler stating that the Ahnenerbe was responsible for all legitimate scientific research in the SS and implied that this was important, but was unable to explain why.


Letter From Dr. Spengler To Wolfram Sievers, December 3, 1941, Wilhelm Spengler Dec 1941

Letter From Dr. Spengler To Wolfram Sievers, December 3, 1941, Wilhelm Spengler

Dowsing Research

In a letter to Obersturmbannführer Sievers, Dr. Spengler notes that dowsing rod researchers/users were not targeted in action taken against occult groups, but some may have been arrested if they were active in other occult activities. The letter states that the head of the security police and the SD want to meet with these groups to discuss scientific problems related to the occult. It was not expected that research of dowsing rods would be included in the planned work.


Letter From Reinhard Heydrich To Heinrich Himmler, March 29, 1941, Reinhard Heydrich Mar 1941

Letter From Reinhard Heydrich To Heinrich Himmler, March 29, 1941, Reinhard Heydrich

Dowsing Research

In this letter from Reinhard Heydrich to Heinrich Himmler, Heydrich summarizes the books confiscated from the publisher J. Huber and lists his recommendations based on the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing and the assessment conducted by Josef Wimmer. The document includes notes on the side in response to the recommendations. It is also noted the Dr. Lutz of the Propaganda Ministry does not need to be involved in these discussions as a middleman.


Proposals And Statements On The Work Of Olier Mordrel In Germany, Olier Mordrel Feb 1941

Proposals And Statements On The Work Of Olier Mordrel In Germany, Olier Mordrel

Breton Nationalism

Written after Olier Mordrel left France to stay in Germany, this document offers a summary of Olier Mordrel's history and credentials with a focus on his work as a Breton nationalist leader and publisher of the journal "Stur". Opportunities for collaboration are listed, along with practical issues related to Mordrel's stay in Germany and reports to be completed by Mordrel. The document concludes with a political note stating that Mordrel should be free to return to Britanny if he felt the situation required it and a reprimand stating that his removal from Brittany had negative effects on German-Breton relations and …


Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Rudolf Brandt, November 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe Nov 1940

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Rudolf Brandt, November 25, 1940, Ahnenerbe

Dowsing Research

In this letter to Rudolf Brandt of the Reichsführer-SS's personal staff, the writer states that Ahnenerbe Curator Walther Wüst has spoken to Dr. Lutz regarding dowsing rods and pendula and therefore it is not necessary for Brandt to reply to Lutz himself. Additionally, it is stated that the attachment includes the Ahnenerbe position on the prohibition of documents on dowsing and pendula in a letter from 11/20/40 which was sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD.


Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Reinhard Heydrich, November 20, 1940, Wolfram Sievers Nov 1940

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Reinhard Heydrich, November 20, 1940, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

This letter from Wolfram Sievers to Reinhard Heydrich summarized the assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing, pendula, and astrology by Josef Wimmer of the Department for Applied Geology. Sievers notes the principles used for assessment: first, that recent research has led to great progress on the dowsing question and physical causes related to the sidereal pendulum may also soon be understandable; second, the dowsing literature does contain false reports and mistakes, but also much that has been scientifically proven - the task at hand, therefore, is to sift the literature and separate out that which is valuable and prevent …


Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer Nov 1940

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Note from Josef Wimmer to Wolfram Sievers accompanying Wimmer's commentary on a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing and a report from the SD. Wimmer asks that his assessment be forwarded to the Reichsführer-SS, Heinrich Himmler.


Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer Nov 1940

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Memo to Sievers from Wimmer stating that he is sending his opinions on a paper by Dr. Beyer and asking that the report be forwarded to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Reinhard Heydrich.


Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer Nov 1940

Letter From Josef Wimmer To Wolfram Sievers, November 1, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

Note from Josef Wimmer to Wolfram Sievers accompanying an assessment of 14 documents, with the request that the assessment be forwarded to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei, Reinhard Heydrich.


Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, October 31, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd Oct 1940

Letter From The Head Of The Sicherheits Polizei And The Sd To The Ahnenerbe, October 31, 1940, Head Of The Sicherheitspolizei And The Sd

Dowsing Research

A request from a representative of the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD (Reinhard Heydrich) to the Ahnenerbe for an update on the review of dowsing and pendulum documents expressing the hope that this activity can be completed shortly, as they must report to the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler).


Assessment Of Confiscated Astrology Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer Oct 1940

Assessment Of Confiscated Astrology Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to astrology. He recommends the release of two documents, Astronomical Ephemeris for the year 1940 and Abdias Trew's Layout plan for reformed astrology. The sequestration is recommended to be upheld for Planet Signatures by Thomas Ring and The New Planet Pluto by Fritz Brunhübner. Wimmer remained undecided about a final document, The Dynamics of the Cosmos by H.H. Reinsch.


Assessment Of Confiscated Dowsing And Pendulum Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer Oct 1940

Assessment Of Confiscated Dowsing And Pendulum Literature By Josef Wimmer For Reinhard Heydrich, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In a document sent to the Head of the Sicherheitspolizei and the SD, Josef Wimmer provides an assessment of confiscated documents related to dowsing rods and pendula. He describes nine documents and provides his own opinion on their value. He recommends the release of seven documents, the classification of one (Baron von Pohl's Earthly Radiations as Pathogen) and the sequestration of one (F. Kallenberg's "Revelations of the Sidereal Pendulum". He additionally comments on the state of dowsing rod research and the principles he used to assess the documents. Finally, he states that the Ahnenerbe should be consulted on all cases …


Report By Josef Wimmer On The Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing And The S.D. Report, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer Oct 1940

Report By Josef Wimmer On The Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing And The S.D. Report, October 30, 1940, Josef Wimmer

Dowsing Research

In this report, Josef Wimmer adds his opinion on first, the position paper by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and proposes official measures to protect the practice and empower the association and second, a report from the SD in response to the Reich Association petition. Wimmer responds to criticism of dowsing included in the SD report while also recognizing sources of error that the Reich Association training fails to address. He concludes with proposals that would reorganize the association and strengthen the training and oversight capacities, placing the association within the oversight of the Ahnenerbe and encouraging …