Memorandum from Agent William Gowen
From the US Army File on Ante Pavelic: This document contains the most widely quoted passage in the entire US Army dossier on Ante Pavelic, related to his incriminating relationship with the Vatican. The reference to Krunoslav Draganovic, the organizer of the Vatican's Ratline, indicates that Agent Gowen had put together the entire puzzle behind the development of a nest of Nazis inside the Holy See. This is the last substantial report submitted by the Counter Intelligence Corps before Pavelic left for Argentina one year later.

 

COUNTER INTELLIGENCE CORPS
ROME DETACHMENT
ZONE FIVE
A. P. O. 512, U. S. ARMY

 

WEWG/ms

12 September 1947

Case No. 5650-A

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

SUBJECT: PAVELIC, Ante

Re: Present Status

   1. The following information concerning subject has been the result of further investigation of Case No. 5650 as per instructions Supervising Agent, this detachment following the request of AC of S, G-2, MTOUSA.

   2. Between five (5) and ten (10) days ago, PAVELIC underwent a serious operation. Reputedly, he barely survived this operation. Indirect contact is being maintained with oneof [sic] Subject's acquaintances through DRAGANOVIC, Krunoslav. The name of this acquaintance is not known to these Agents and apparently the man in question is not as yet aware of the interest of an American agency.

   3. These agents have received the following impression of PAVELIC's contact with the VATICAN.

   PAVELIC's contacts are so high and his present position is so compromising to the VATICAN, that any extradition of Subject would deal a staggering blow to the Roman Catholic Church.

AGENTS' COMMENTS:

   It is the opinion of these Agents that an interview can be arranged with Subject on extraterritorial ground when the condition of his health permits his movement.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

   It is recommended that the final disposition of Subject's case await the clarification that such an interview as described above could bring.

 

LOUIS S. CANIGLIA, Special Agent, CIC.
WILLIAM E.W. GOWEN, Special Agent, CIC.

APPROVED:
GONO MORENA
Supervising Agent.

 

:: filing information ::
Title: Memorandum from Agent William Gowen
Source: US Army, declassified.
Date: September 12, 1947 Added: October 2002