Rat Line from Austria to South America
Declassified in the furor over the Klaus Barbie scandal, this memo from the 430th detachment (based in Austria) of the US Army's Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) acknowledges for the first time the Ratline: the system worked out between the American Army and Father Krunoslav Draganovic for the "resettlement" of CIC operatives, including some who "may be of interest to the Denazification policy of the Allies." Barbie was Draganovic's most famous charge, but Ustase leader Ante Pavelic was among them. This memo indicates that a quid pro quo was worked out between the priest and the Americans: Draganovic would agree to transport CIC friends like Gestapo chief of Lyon Barbie, and the Americans would assist "persons of interest" to Draganovic. According to a later memo by the same author, Paul Lyon of the 430th CIC, contact was made with Draganovic on the American Ratline in the Summer of 1947 - the time that the Rome detachment of the CIC was ordered to halt arrest proceedings against Pavelic.

 

 

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE CORPS
(430th CIC Detachment)
CITY OF VIENNA
APO 777 US ARMY

 

12 July 1948

SUBJECT: Rat Line from Austria to South America.

 

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION

1. In accordance with instructions from the Office of the Director of Intelligence, USFA, these agents have attempted to establish a safe means of resettlement of dependents of visitors and VIP personalities.

2. Through the Vatican connections of Father Draganovic, Croat, DP Resettlement Chief of the Vatican circle, a tentative agreement was reached to assist in this operation. The agreement consists of simply mutual assistance, i.e., these agents assist persons of interest to Father Draganovic to leave Germany and, in turn, Father Draganovic will assist these agents in obtaining the necessary visas to Argentina, South America, for persons of interest to this Command.

3. It may be stated that some of the persons of interest to Father Draganovic may be of interest to the Denazification policy of the Allies; however, the persons assisted by Father Draganovic are also of interst to our Russian ally. Therefore, this operation cannot receive any official approval and must be handled with minimum amount of delay and with a minimum amount of general knowledge.

4. On 3 July 1948, these agents contacted the Austrian representative of Father Draganovic in Salzburg, as prearranged. Through the assistance of CIC Salzburg, transportation was obtained and the representative was escorted to Bad Reichenhall, Germany, where he was to meet the German representative of Father Draganovic's organization. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the German representative did not appear. The Austrian representative was escorted back to Salzburg to await developments.

5. On 4 July 48 these agents received a telegram from the U.S. contact in Rome (Fred Martin) that the German representative was arrested while crossing the German/Austrian border on or about 1 July 48. It was the desire of the agents to go to Bad Reichenhall, Germany to make the necessary investigation, however due to transportation difficulties, this was not deemed advisable.

6. The status of subject rat line is not settled at this time, however it is felt that with CIC connections in Germany, these agents can assist the German representative and continue their progress as outlined above.

NOTE: It is suggested to the Chief, 430th CIC Detachment, USFA, that a reassignment of jeeps be made, and that two detachment jeeps be assigned to headquarters. These jeeps could be stationed and utilized by Land Salzburg and Land Upper Austria but be prepared to move upon call from representatives of CIC headquarters. In this manner most of the difficulties in obtaining transportations for such operations can be avoided. Also the responsibilities for incorrect use of said vehicles, i.e., police violations, utilizing Government vehicles for pleasure, will be the responsibility of the driver and not the Land Section to which the jeep is originally assigned.

It is believed that in this manner considerable time, personal difficulties, and personality differences could be avoided and assist in the speedy completion of similar missions.

 

[signed]

PAUL E. LYON
S/A, CIC

 

[signed]
CHARLES CRAWFORD
S/A, CIC

 

DISTRIBUTION:

ODI - IB-0 (1)
Maj. Bolton - Land Salzburg (1)
CIC Files (1)

 

:: filing information ::
Title: Rat Line from Austria to South America
Source: US Army, declassified.
Date: July 12, 1948 Added: July 7, 2003