The Thule Society and the Ahnenerbe-SS

SECRET -- BRUSA EYES ONLY OSS INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING JUNE 14, 1943 THE THULE SOCIETY AND THE AHNENERBE-SS The objective of this briefing is to provide an overview of the tactical and historical importance of the occult in Germany, with special emphasis on the Ahnenerbe-SS, the Thule Society, and Project Helheim. THULE SOCIETY The Thule Society is a collection of powerful individuals within Germany who are devoted to studying the occult. Ostensibly founded as a secret society in 1918, the core of the Thule Society has roots that reach back to at least the eighteenth century, and possibly much earlier. They study mythology, primarily Norse, with the goal of proving that the Germans are the inherently superior race of man, and as such, the Thule Society has become composed almost entirely of high-ranking Nazis. Hitler himself has in recent years become a member, and the society has prospered greatly under the current German regime. To date, the OSS has not viewed the Thule Society as a serious military threat, though we have (without success) attempted to infiltrate it to gain close access to Nazi leadership. AHNENERBE-SS The Ahnenerbe-SS is a division of the Schutz-Staffel concerned with occult warfare, operating under the direct leadership of Heinrich Himmler. Founded by Himmler in 1935, the Ahnenerbe-SS ostensibly exists as an obscure scientific effort to prove German racial superiority through archaeological investigation, and as such has been closely involved with the Thule Society. As the War has progressed and Hitler’s involvement with the Thule Society has grown, the responsibilities of the Ahnenerbe have expanded. In April 1941 Hitler tasked Himmler with using the Ahnenerbe-SS to pursue research into the tactical uses of the paranormal in warfare, superseding his archeological research. In the intervening years, the German government has funneled large amounts of capital to the Ahnenerbe-SS, to no significant result. Hitler’s devotion to the Thule Society remains unabated, however, and there is no sign that Himmler has lost his superior’s support despite the lack of returns of any discernable tactical value. 1 PROJECT HELHEIM Project Helheim is the brainchild of Himmler, and his pet project within the Ahnenerbe-SS. British ULTRA intelligence shared via the BRUSA Agreement reveals large amounts of unconventional materials and assets (silver and gold ingots, esoteric objects from various Thule Society members, scientists specializing in physics and electrical engineering, etc.) being delivered to the Nazi base at Bergen-Belsen by Himmler’s orders under the authority of Project Helheim, leading us to conclude that the Project is headquartered at that location. Due to a lack of intercepted long-range radio communication relating to Project Helheim, we have very little intelligence as to the precise details of Himmler’s goals or methodology. However, the sporadic messages sent to Berlin indicate a lack of significant progress in the endeavor. It is the conclusion of this office that the Thule Society, the Ahnenerbe-SS and Project Helheim do not pose high-priority threats to the Allied war effort. We recommend further cooperation with the British GC&CS under the BRUSA Agreement to share intelligence related to the Thule Society, as its nature as a social hub for Nazi leadership makes it a prime avenue for espionage or assassination. 2