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Eisenhower Cable to Marshall Re Nazi Horrors and Need to Show Press and Congress

(April 19, 1945)

Cable marked Secret and Eyes Only sent by General Eisenhower to General Marshall explaining that the horrors of the concentration camps have been understated and recommending that visits be arranged for members of Congress and the media.


WE CONTINUE TO DISCOVER GERMAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS IN WHICH CONDITIONS OF INDESCRIBABLE HORROR PREVAIL. FROM EISENHOWER TO GENERAL MARSHALL FOR EYES ONLY. I HAVE VISITED ONE OF THESE MYSELF AND I ASSURE YOU THAT WHATEVER HAS BEEN PRINTED ON THEM TO DATE HAS BEEN UNDERSTATEMENT. IF YOU WOULD SEE ANY ADVANTAGE IN ASKING ABOUT A DOZEN LEADERS OF CONGRESS AND A DOZEN PROMINENT EDITORS TO TAKE A SHORT VISIT TO THIS THEATER IN A COUPLE OF C-54S, I WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE THEM CONDUCTED TO ONE OF THESE PLACES WHERE THE EVIDENCE OF BESTIALITY AND CRUELTY IS SO OVERPOWERING AS TO LEAVE NO DOUBT IN THEIR MINDS ABOUT THE NORMAL PRACTICES OF THE GERMANS IN THESE CAMPS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT SOME BRITISH INDIVIDUALS IN SIMILAR CATEGORIES WILL VISIT THE NORTHERN AREA TO WITNESS SIMILAR EVIDENCE OF ATROCITY.

Click here to see the original cable.

In response, Eisenhower received the following message on April 19, 1945:

Your proposal has been cleared with and approved by the Secretary of War and the President. Plans are being formulated and you will be kept advised.

Source: Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box 134, Cables Off (GCM/DDE 19 Apr - 10 Nov 45 (4); NAID #12007738] Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library