DIVERSION OF GERMAN BALL BEARINGS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05849696
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: September 12, 2023
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2023
• Case Number: F-2021-01398
• Publication Date: March 11, 1954

Approved for Release: 2023/06/07 C05849696
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
Switzerland/West Germany REPORT NO.
(b)(3)
Diversion of German
Ball Bearings DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
11 March 1954
a
REQUIREMENT NO.
(b)(3)
ENCES
(b)(3)
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
SOURPE:
1.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Loewer (fnu) and Albert Braillard (W(1)
submitted the following information on the diversion of West German ball (b)(3)
bearings:
a. Marc Bloch of 41 quai Wilson, Geneva, is responsible for the sale of ball
bearings valued at 11,000,000 Swiss francs from Kugelfischer, Schweinfurt,
to the China National Import Export Corporation of East Berlin. The
transaction had the financial backing and active support of the Union Bank
of Switzerland and was handled at first by the bank's Geneva branch and
later by the main office in Zurich.
b. The value of that portion of the order which Kugelfischer already delivered
to Pallas Oil & Trading, London, and which is still being held in England
is 40000,000 Swiss francs. Kugelfischer received a payment of 2,500,000
Swiss francs from the Union Bank of Switzerland in early December 1953.
c. Bloch's active collaborators in this transaction are: Colonel Gilbert Guisan,
Geneva, Francois Genoud of Switzerland and Paris, and Hans Rechenberg of Bad
Toelz, formerly of Frankfurt.
d. Maurice Gardienl, lawyer, residing at 75 rue Richelieu, Paris, was recently
brought into the deal by the Union Bank of Switzerland to arrange a new
ostensible destination for the ball bearings held in England. He is alleged
to have offered or paid 250,000 Swiss francs to the firm Labeco (Lauter) in
Stockholm, to arrange for necessary import clearances in Sweden.
,ALef
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2023/06/07 C05849696
Approved for Release: 2023/06/07 C05849696
- -
e. Coastal of 128 Boulevard Hausman, Paris, represented by Maurice Bradka,
the owner of the firm Societe Getraco, 79 Champs Elysees, is attempting
to take title to the goods held in England in order to obtain their
release.
(b)(3)
f. The superintendence firm Bureau diEtudes et de Redherches pour l'industrie
Moderns (BERIM), Paris, controlled the quality of the bearings on behalf
of the Chinese bujlers.
g. Bleichroeder, Bing & Co., of London and 161 William Street, New York City,
insured the shipment against all damages and loss by seizure from Schweinfurt
to Rostock.
h. The firm Roulement Geneve merely introduced Marc Block to Kugelfisdher.
i. In view of the direct negotiations between Bloch and Kugelfisdher, and
considering the method of parnent, there is little doubt that Kugelfiecher
was aware of the final destination of the shipment. Bloch and Kugelfischer
are anxious to ship the remainder of the order (7,000,000 Swiss francs) to
Rostock.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
s7i
Approved for Release: 2023/06/07 C05849696