Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy - Ludwig von Mises ...

602 Pearl Harbor: The Seeds and Fruits of Infamy
Clarke and Gibson questioned Maj. Gen. Ralph C. Smith: At
any time during your service in the War Department in 1941
until you left in March 1942, to your knowledge were any of
the records of G-2 destroyed?
Smith: Categorically, no. . . . I am very certain that no permanent
records after January 1941, perhaps, were removed or
destroyed.
Gibson: At anytime did you ever receive any order from anyone
after Pearl Harbor while you were in the War Department
to destroy or have any records destroyed?
Smith: I did not. . . .
Gibson: As far as you know, are the records of G-2 that pertain
to Pearl Harbor for 1941 and up until March 1942 complete?
Smith: To the best of knowledge they are.
Gibson: Prior to yesterday had you ever heard any comment
made that if certain records in G-2 became known or were
made public that it would be very damning to the Secretary of
War or Chief of Staff ?
Smith: No I had never heard any such comment.
Gibson: Did Col. Bissell to your knowledge, ever, destroy any
records in G-2 in the Department?
Smith: He did not during my tenure of offi ce; and I believe that
if he had I would have known about it from my subordinates.
Gibson: Did Col. Bissell ever tell you that he had destroyed
some records dealing with Pearl Harbor?
Smith: He did not. . . .