LETTER TO MR. ROBERT W. KOCH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00380R000200090046-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 21, 2006
• Sequence Number: 46
• Publication Date: August 11, 1971
• Content Type: LETTER

'Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B00380R000200090046-5
11 August 1971
Mr. Robert W. Koch
As you are probably aware, the office of Strategic
Services was only a small unit of the War Department
staffed by persons brought into the military from
civilian life during the national emergency. After
the war the unit was disbanded and the records were
transferred to different government agencies. The
War Department would have had jurisdiction over
equipment such as vehicles, weapons, etc. SSU rec-
ords consist in the most part of personnel folders
and operational plans and reports.
I wish we could be of further assistance, but a
search of our records did not reveal anything more
.than a memorandum that the War Department had ordered
these pistols of which half were given to friendly
allied governments.
If at any time in the future we come across any
additional information on the "Liberator" pistol, you
will be informed.
Sincerely
Executive Secretary
Distribution:
Orig - Addresse
1/- IP/ARD file,
- C/IS/SS chrono
Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B00380R000200090046-5
 -Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B0038OR000200090046-5
6 August 1971
Concerning my previous letter inquiring about the fin-il
disposition of 500,000 "Liberator" single shot, .)-15 cal ABLY
pistols and your reply stating that your records indicated
that approximately 500,000 w(-r(- given to the vardous allies
during WW?_ and that ten additiorn 1 500, 000 pi stole were
turned over to the war assets administration after the war.
In addition you suggested I write to the Department of the Army
Ordnance office for information.
I have received a reply from the US Army Weapons command
at Rock Island, Illinois stating that a search of their records
revenJtd no additional data on the final disposition of the 5()0,000
pistols.
Since the pistols cost approximately $).50X to manufacture,
the sum of 500,000 multiplied by jN2.50 reveals a tidy sum
of money. In fact a. sum. that, somewhere along t1e line, required
documentation at the inception ( which I am aware of ) and t1he
necessary documentation re-flecting final disposition. I C-r^1_ -Neat;
any item or total -'urnb^r or items th^.t total over one million
dollars can not be lightly dismissed and should be accountrible~
on paper somewhere. I would appreciate any ac!ditional suFr~,F ;talons
you might care, to offer concerning final disposition documentation
o" the "Liberator" pistols. Thanks again for your prior help.
Sinc~ re]y /
Robert W. Koch
Approved For Release 2006/09/25 : CIA-RDP75B0038OR000200090046-5