The Holocaust Historiography Project

Copy of document 3740-PS

                  AFFIDAVIT BY FRANZ HALDER

                                                  Nurnberg, 6 March 1946

I, Franz Halder, being first duly sworn, declare:

My last position in the German armed forces was Chief of Staff of the
German Army.

On the occasion of a common meal on the birthday of the Fuehrer in 1942
the people around the Fuehrer turned the conversation to the Reichstag
building and its artistic value. I heard with my own ears when Goering
shouted into the conversation: “The only one that really knows the
Reichstag, is I; because I put the fire to it.” With that he took his
flat hand and hit his thighs. As far as I can remember today Keitel was
sitting to the left og Georing.

This luncheon took place in the so-called Kasino (officer’s mess) of the
Headquarters of the Fuehrer (East Prussia).

                                                   [signed] Franz Halder
                                                            Franz Halder

Subscribed and sworn  to before me today, this 6th day of March, 1946,
Nurnberg, Germany.

                                         [signed] Richard W. Sonnenfeldt
                                                  Richard W. Sonnenfeldt
                                                   Investigating Officer