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Memo from Wolfram Sievers, June 12, 1939; forwarded to Josef Wimmer on August 3, 1939
Wolfram Sievers
In this memo, Wolfram Sievers reports changes to be made to proposals made in a report on dowsing based on a telephone conversation with SS-Sturmbannführer Ehlich. The note at the bottom forwards the memo to Josef Wimmer who is in possession of the paper in question.
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Report on the visit of Dr. Wentzel on June 6, 1939
Unknown
This report on a visit to Berlin by Dr. Wetzel notes progress in scientifically determining physical causes for the dowsing rod phenomenon and laments the rejection of dowsing by experts due to activities by "dilettantes and frauds", whose activities should be stopped through official measures.
Wetzel expressed a desire for the Association for Dowsing to come under the umbrella of the German Police with the protection of the Reichsführer-SS, possibly within the Ahnenerbe. He compares dowsing research to World Ice Theory research, both facing opposition from government and party officials which could discourage researchers.
Wetzel additionally mentions his support for World Ice Theory as expressed in his journal "Nature and Volk". Wetzel refused to collaborate with Hanns Fischer, referring to Fischer as a dilettante and unfit for scientific work.
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Letter from the Reich Main Security Office to the Ahnenerbe, May 26, 1939
Reich Main Security Office
This note from the Reich Main Security Office on behalf of the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) accompanied a report on dowsing rods which was submitted to Himmler. The note states that the report was being forwarded for information purposes.
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Report of the SD Directed at Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler, May 26, 1939
Sicherheitsdienst
This report from the SD responds to the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and asks for measures to regulate dowsing and empower the association in its oversight capacities.
The SD response begins with a summary of the arguments made by the Reich Association for Dowsing which refers to dowsing successes and outlines obstacles in the form of hostility from the science community, lack of resources, and the detrimental effect of "wild dowsers" on the overall reputation of the practice.
The paper then explores the organization itself, noting that it is based on a system of regional groups and includes a professional branch requiring a geological and hydrological test for admission. The Association officers are discussed with no complaints in the case of the chair and co-chair, Peter Beyer and Kurt Osswald. Concerns are raised about the editor, Franz Wetzel - in particular his Catholic orientation and association with a particular journal.
Section three offers scathing responses to the defense of dowsing from within the scientific community. Overall, the practice is rejected as either self-deception or deliberate deception and successes determined to be within the laws of probability based on random chance.
The paper concludes that the scientific community has an interest in completing an impartial investigation into the practice and returns its recommendations in response to the Association petition, agreeing on the ban of "wild" dowsing but suspending judgment on the other questions until a full study is complete.
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Letter from Wolfram Sievers to Walther Wüst, May 22, 1939
Wolfram Sievers
In a note to Ahnenerbe curator Walther Wüst, Wolfram Sievers states that he is forwarding documents on dowsing to Josef Wimmer. Wimmer is asked to provide his opinion, particularly on a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing. It is hoped that this can lead to the creation of a research center proposed by curator Wüst.
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Position Paper by the Reich Association for Dowsing Submitted to Heinrich Himmler, October 6, 1938
Reich Association for Dowsing
This position paper, directed at Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, from the Reich Association of Dowsing addresses the situation of dowsing and dowsing research and offers proposals for official actions.
The Association emphasises that a scientific explanation is urgently needed, but much progress had been made despite a crippling lack of resources. They cite evidence of dowsing successes (tens of thousands of cases) and note that failures occur in every profession and in dowsing they are not disproportionate.
They call attention to the obstacles of "wild" dowsers, not connected with the Association, as well as the hostility of the science community which influenced national and regional authorities. They note that practical professions such as engineering are friendlier to dowsing as they are more concerned with practicality than theory.
The paper cites recent support from scientists and politicians, in particular Rudolf Hess, Hermann Göring and Wilhelm Keppler. They also note that Göring assured them that Hitler was not against dowsing.
The proposals include 1) a ban on "wild" dowsing - any activity not conducted within the scope of the Reich Association for Dowsing; 2.) Police and legal recognition of the Association so that all paid dowsers must work under its auspices; 3.) Work to revoke the prohibition on dowsing in many agencies; 4.) Work to stop attacks on dowsing from the science community; 5.) Provision of resources for dowsing research to improve practical reliability.
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Meine Erfolge mit der Wünschelrute / My Successes with Dowsing Rods
Paul Beyer
A book by Dr. Paul Beyer, founder of the Reich Association for Dowsing, documenting his experiences using dowsing rods.
Contents:
Image 1 - A dowser from the 17th Century (from an old chalcography)
The practical value of dowsing for communities, landowners, manufacturers and miners.
Image 2 - A modern dowser: Dr. P. Beyer, Founder and Chair of the International Association for Dowsing Researchers on the search for Ore veins in Aue.
2. Successful findings of oil
Image 3 - Provision and reexamination of an oil drilling with the dowsing rod
3. Successful finding of lignites
4. Dowsing rod successes for potash works
5. Determination of mineral springs
Image 4 - The new thermal spring found by Dr. Beyer with the dowsing rod in Bad Oeynhausen
Image 5: The dowsing rod at the GeSoLei
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