 2. Sir Edward Wilfred Travis, Deputy Director, from Colonel Lionel Pierce, Bletchley Park, date, 6th November 1944, regarding German project in Upper Celestia. Sir Edward, in obedient to your order of 26th October, I have directed the staff of my section to identify and analyze intelligence relevant to an understanding of special German military assets and projects that are located in areas that we expect the Soviets to take in the next 60 days. This memorandum discusses such a German asset. The juries have it in Upper East Celestia near Katowice, an area that we expect Marshal Konev to overrun in the next few weeks, in view of the implications of the Soviets acquiring and possessing this asset, I wanted to get this report to you immediately. I attach three exhibits. Exhibit one, plain text decrypt of an intercepted pre-war enigma communication. As this was an older message, we didn't prioritize breaking the code on this one and it remained in the queue until a few weeks ago, when one of the lads took it up as a training exercise. Exhibit two, intercepted orders dated 7th August 1941, from R. Hydrich to Dr. Edward Wirth, regarding the construction of a facility to house the asset. Exhibit three, description of assets and protocol for its handling. I respectfully suggest that command convey this information, in particular exhibit three, to the Soviets through appropriate channels. They need to know what to do when they get there, and more pointedly, what not to do. Respectfully, S. L. Pierce. Attachments. Exhibit one, 24th January 1939. Two, Dr. Schmidt, N. Schwabenland. Coordinates. From S. S. Gruppenfuhrer, Reinhard Heydrich, Reichsicherheitshauptamt. Heil Hitler! Allow me to be among the first to congratulate you and your team on your discovery at Austwold and Ridge. Colonel Pierce's note, German name for geographic feature at 73 degrees six minutes south, by one degree 35 in its west. Berlin has been following the reports of your expedition to Antarctica, with the closest attention. Although the Airbesenzahler translated as beam counters, will probably be less than pleased that the establishment of a German whaling station on the Antarctic continent has proved to be impracticable. That setback cannot diminish the results of your valuable scientific work. The ship N. Schwabenland is to remain in the Antarctic for a few weeks more. You and your team, however, are directed to return to Germany immediately and bring her with you. Colonel Pierce's note, here and elsewhere, the juries refer to the asset as she or her. See exhibit three for our best effort at a physical description. In 11 days, the Kriegsmarine will dispatch U-38 from Wilhelmshaven to pick you up and convey to Hamburg. U-38's three forward compartments have been modified into upper warung scama, translated as containment chamber. Feed her if you must, then freeze her just as you had found her, then crate her, and get her aboard the U-boat with as much discretion as possible. Captain Moots of the U-38 has been instructed not to ask questions. You must get her back to the Reich as quickly as possible, as political events in the near future may inconvenience sea access to Antarctica in the short term. You were very brave to dig her up and thaw her out. Do not second guess your own decision based on what happened. It is upon courageous men like you that the Reich's vitality and glory depend. Upon your arrival in Hamburg, you will be presented with the Reich's highest honours. The remains of expedition members Hess, Gruber, Schneider, and Joachim will also be given an honourable burial. In truth, not a burial given the circumstances, but I am sure that the widows will appreciate the gesture. Yours, Reinhard Heydrich, director, Sicherheitspolize. Colonel Pierce's note. We know from subsequent intercepted communications that U-38 returned to Hamburg in late February 1939 and delivered Ernst Schmidt, a few researchers, a large metal tank, and several tons of other equipment. This journey was not without incident. Based on some intercepted communications between U-38 and Admiral Donitz's headquarters in early February 1939, it appears that the crew of U-38 attempted to mutiny and scuttle the boated sea about 120 miles southwest of the Faroe Islands. However, Captain Mutz was able to reassert control on 18 February and notified Admiral Donitz regarding the same. U-38 was retired from service following a rival and disassembled. The tank was loaded onto a rail car and sent eastward. Our man on the ground tracked it as far as Dresden. Exhibit two, 7th August 1941. Two, Dr. Worth. From, he says, Gruppenfuhrer, Reinhard Heydrich, Reichseekerheitshauptamt. Heier Hitler! In four days, you will take delivery of the asset that we discussed after the conference back in June. Gruppe G. Technisch Arbeitsmittel of the Abte-Long nach Richtern-Bestschaffung. Colonel Pierce's note, we believe that this organization directs the Wehrmacht's research division, has attempted for the last two years to make a reliable weapon out of her without success. She is voracious and deadly to be sure, but she has consistently been as great a danger to our personnel as to the enemy. Since we have not yet found an effective way of permanently neutralizing her, we are shipping her to you, so that she may serve the Reich in a different way. In your letter of 22nd July, you noted that the research that Hopsternfuhrer Dr. Mengele will be undertaking under your direction could be carried out with greater efficiency, if there were a reliable means of rapidly disposing of the detritus of failed tests. We believe that she will serve admirably in this capacity, at the Vernichtungslager that you are constructing. However, in order that she may serve this function safely, we have learned from experience that she must be contained in accordance with the attached protocol, which must be observed diligently and without fail. Yours, Reinhardt, Colonel Pierce's note, the protocol document to which Exhibit 2 refers is attached as Exhibit 3. Exhibit 3, Data Expunged. And a file. To learn more about the SCP Foundation, subscribe to SCP Orientation Today and turn the notification bell on so you don't miss any of our videos.