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West, but this plan which was agreeable to me could not be executed, since essential points have changed. "It became clear to me that Poland would attack us, in case of a conflict in the West. "Poland wants access to the sea. "The further development became obvious after the occupation of the Memel region, and it becam... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 10,800 | 11,300 |
the future only with concern. 'France's position has also deteriorated, particularly in the Mediterranean. "Further favorable factors for us are these: "Since Albania, there is an equilibrium of power in the Balkans. Yugoslavia carries the germ of collapse because of her internal situation. Rumania did not grow stronge... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 11,250 | 11,750 |
the beginning to fight the western powers. Struggle for life or death. Germany has won every war as long as she was united. Iron, unflinching attitude of all superiors, greatest confidence, faith in victory, overcoming of the past by getting used to heaviest strain. A long period of peace would not do us any good. Ther... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 11,700 | 12,200 |
was preceded with premeditation and deliberation. Just as, in the case of aggression against Czechoslovakia, the Nazis had a code name for the secret operation, "Case Green", so in the case of aggression against the Soviet Union, they had a code name, "Case Barbarossa". A secret directive, Number 21, issued from the Fu... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 12,150 | 12,650 |
the wide spaces of Russia is to be prevented. "In quick pursuit a (given) line is to be reached from where the Russian Air force will no longer be able to attack German Reich territory. The first goal of operations is the protection from Asiatic Russian from the general line Volga-archangelsk. In case of necessity, the... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 12,600 | 13,100 |
parts of this document read as follows: "Matsuoka then also expressed the request, that the Fuehrer should instruct the proper authorities in Germany to meet as broad-mindedly as possible the wishes of the Japanese Military Commission. Japan was in need of German help particularly concerning the U-boat warfare, which c... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 13,050 | 13,550 |
Japan would get involved with the United states. It did not matter with whom the United States would first get involved, if with Germany or with Japan. They would always try to eliminate one country at a time, not to come to and understanding with the other country subsequently. Therefore Germany would strike, as alrea... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 13,500 | 14,000 |
account of China of the South Seas provided that Japan gave free passage to the consignment of rubber and tin to America to their place of destination. However, America would war against Japan the moment she felt that Japan entered the war with the intention to assist in the destruction of Great Britain. * * * The Fueh... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 13,950 | 14,450 |
return, being questioned, he would indeed admit to the Emperor, the Premier and the Ministers for the Navy and the Army, that Singapore had been discussed; he would, however, state that it was only on a hypothetical basis. "Besides this Matsuoka made the express request not to cable in the matter of Singapore because h... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 14,400 | 14,900 |
the Council for defense of the Reich. (USA 24)...IV 934 *2718-PS Memorandum "About the result of today's discussion with State Secretaries about Barbarossa", 2 May 1941. (USA 32) ...V 378 *D-660 Extracts from Hutchinson's Illustrated edition of Mein Kampf. (GB 128).....VII 164 **L-3 Contents of Hitler's talk to Supreme... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 14,850 | 15,350 |
a strong military action from France with the possible assistance of England. However, the conspirators were determined that nothing less than a preventive war would stop them, and they also estimated correctly that on one or combination of big powers would undertake the responsibility for such a war. The withdrawal fr... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 15,300 | 15,800 |
people. Up and down the country the devil of subversion strides. All the cowards are seeking a way out, or-as they call it-a political solution. They say, we must negotiate while there is still something in hand, and all these slogans are made use of to attack the natural sense of the people, that in this war there can... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 15,750 | 16,250 |
our morale and our confidence in victory. "In view of my position as military advisor to the Fuehrer, I shall confine myself in my remarks to the problems of my own personal sphere of action, fully appreciating at the same time that in view of the protean nature of this war, I shall in this way be giving expression onl... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 16,200 | 16,700 |
problem on the basis of the more or less favourable strategic premises. "This brings me to the actual outbreak of the present war, and the question which next arises is whether the moment for the struggle with Poland-in itself unavoidable-was favorably selected or not. The answer to this question is all the less in dou... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 16,650 | 17,150 |
at page 25 of General Thomas' work, "A History of the German War and Armament Economy, 1923-1944." (2853-PS). This secret law remained in effect until 4 September 1939, at which time it was replaced by another secret defense law (2194-PS) revising the system of defense organization and directing more detailed preparati... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 17,100 | 17,600 |
[identified by Schacht as Exhibit A, interrogation 16 October 1945, page 40] May 3, 1935. "Financing of Armament. The following explanations are based upon the thought, that the accomplishment of the armament program with speed and in quantity is the problem of German politics, that everything else therefore should be ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 17,550 | 18,050 |
tax revenues in amount balancing the deficit and any other previous debits, as on the other hand a balanced budget is the only secure basis for the impending great task of military policy. For all these reasons we have to put in motion a fundamental and conscious budget policy which solves the problem of armament finan... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 18,000 | 18,500 |
the political success proved the correctness of this action. The other possibilities of armament financing have to be started now under any circumstances. For this purpose all absolutely non-essential expenditures for other purposes must not take place and the total financial strength of Germany, limited as it is, has ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 18,450 | 18,950 |
Reich", the following passage occurred: "For more than six years now, I have been engaged in building up the German Armed Forces. During this period more than ninety billion Reichsmarks were spent building up the Wehrmacht. Today, ours are the best-equipped armed forces in the world, and they are superior to those of 1... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 18,900 | 19,400 |
These are due to the owner of the plane in case he himself carries out the fight. They are to be divided in case of non-owners of the plane, between flight organization, proprietor and crew in the proportion of 10:20:20. Military flying is now paid better than flying for advertisement (40). We therefore have to expect ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 19,350 | 19,850 |
the evidence of those who took part in the fight of the Navy against the unbearable regulations of the peace treaty of Versailles. It shows that the Reich navy after the liberating activities of the Free Corps and of Scapa Flow did not rest, but found ways and means to lay with unquenchable enthusiasm, in addition to t... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 19,800 | 20,300 |
in camouflage (from 1933 to the freedom from restrictions, 1935)." (C-156) The following is a passage from chapter IV: "The unification of the whole nation which was combined with the taking over of power on 30 January 1933 was of the decisive influence on the size and shape of further rearmament. "While the second cha... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 20,250 | 20,750 |
(C-156) An interrogation of Raeder concerning this book went as follows: "Q. I have here a document, C-156, which is a photostatic copy of the work prepared by the High Command of the Navy, and covers the struggle of the Navy against the Versailles Treaty from 1919 to 1935. I ask you initially whether you are familiar ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 20,700 | 21,200 |
to keep the word of Versailles, we tried to fulfill the word of Versailles, but tried to have advantages. "Q. Would the fair statement be that the Navy High Command was interested in avoiding the limited provisions of the Treaty of Versailles regarding the personnel and limits of armaments, but would it attempt to fulf... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 21,150 | 21,650 |
and notes in the documents, which evidently were intended as working material for the basis of the chapters to be written in accordance with the table of contents. The title of its table of contents fairly establishes the navy planning and preparations that were to get the Versailles Treaty out of the way, and to rebui... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 21,600 | 22,100 |
The activities of Captain Lohmann (continuation), their significance as a foundation for the rapid reconstruction work from 1935. "2. Preparation for the re-strengthening of the German U-boat arm from 1925 (continuation), the merit of Lohmann in connection with the preparation for rapid construction in 1925, relationsh... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 22,050 | 22,550 |
document, which bears the facsimile signature of Raeder at the end, speaks of war tasks, war and operational plans, armament target, etc., and shows that it was distributed to many of the High Command of the Navy. Dated 12 May 1934, it shows that a primary objective was readiness for a war without any alert period. The... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 22,500 | 23,000 |
Hitler therefore proposed to put funds of the Labor Front at the disposal of the navy. This appears from another Raeder memorandum of a conversation between Raeder with Hitler, on 2 November 1934 (C-190). this report, again, is not signed, but it was found in Raeder's personal file and seems clearly his memorandum. It ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 22,950 | 23,450 |
would in any case make such participation superfluous. "However obvious these opinions may seem, formed because of the situation as it is today, I am nevertheless forced t make the following contradictory corrective points: "a. The economic crisis and its present effects must perforce be overcome sooner or later. Thoug... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 23,400 | 23,900 |
we should be technically well to the fore in any really fundamental matters, than that less important points should be kept secret unnecessarily and excessively. "f. To conclude: I attach particular importance to guaranteeing the continuous support of the industry concerned by the navy, even after the present restricti... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 23,850 | 24,350 |
possible. "3. Fitting the torpedo-tubes on all E-Boats is intended as soon as the situation of the political control allows it." (C-141) Along similar lines the navy was also carrying on the concealed preparation of auxiliary cruisers, under the disguised designation of Transport Ships O. The preparations under this or... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 24,300 | 24,800 |
justification or defense that might be used was included in those instances where the Versailles Treaty was violated or its allotment has been exceeded. The list contained 30 items under "Material Measures" and 14 items under "Measures of Organization." The variety of details covered necessarily involved several source... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 24,750 | 25,250 |
sanctions and the countries which might apply them, plans wee made for armed resistance on land, at sea, and in the air. Military preparations were ordered in a directive from the Reichsminister for Defense (von Blomberg) to the head of the Army High Command (Fritsch), the head of the Navy High Command, (Raeder), and t... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 25,200 | 25,700 |
last as it is convinced, on the other hand, that it will never be employed to threaten the peace of other nations." (2292-PS) Since they had gone as far as they could on rearmament and the secret training of personnel, the next step necessary to the conspirators' program for aggressive war was a large-scale increase in... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 25,650 | 26,150 |
the territorial limitations in the Locarno and Versailles Treaties, include the following: Article 1 of the Rhine Pact of Locarno, 16 October 1925, provides: "The High Contracting parties, collectively and severally, guarantee, in the manner provided in the following Articles: the maintenance of the territorial status ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 26,100 | 26,600 |
of Locarno. The first part, headed "Secret Document," provides: "For the operation, suggested in the last staff talks of the Armed Forces, I lay down the Code name Schulung [training]. "The supreme direction of the operation 'Schulung' rests with the Reich Minister of Defense as this is a joint undertaking of the three... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 26,550 | 27,050 |
Nazis later asserted as their excuse for the Rhineland reoccupation. The military orders on the basis of which the Rhineland reoccupation was actually carried into execution on 7 March 1936, were issued on 2 March 1936 by the War Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, von Blomberg. They were addressed to ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 27,000 | 27,500 |
For the historical emphasis of this occasion, Hitler made a momentous speech on the same day, in which he declared: "Men of the German Reichstag! Frances has replied to the repeated friendly offers and peaceful assurances made by Germany by infringing the Reich pack through a military alliance with the Soviet Union exc... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 27,450 | 27,950 |
of humanity notwithstanding. The Nazi conspirators were determined, as these documents have shown, to use whatever means were necessary to abrogate and overthrow the Treaty of Versailles and its restrictions upon the military armament and activity of Germany. In this process, they conspired and engaged in secret armame... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 27,900 | 28,400 |
Reich Cabinet of 12 May 1935 on the Council for defense of the Reich. (USA 24) ...IV 934 *2288-PS Adolf Hitler's speech before the Reichstag, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, Southern Germany Special Edition, No. 142a, 22 May 1935. (USA 38) .....IV 993 *2289-PS Hitler's speech in the Reichstag, 7 March 1936, publis... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 28,350 | 28,850 |
signed by Blomberg. (USA 51) ....VI 952 *C-141 Order for concealed armament of E-boats, 10 February 1932, signed by Raeder. (USA 47) .....VI 955 *C-153 Naval Armament Plan for the 3rd Armament Phase, signed by Raeder, 12 May 1934. (USA 43) ....VI 967 *C-156 Concealed Rearmament under Leadership of Government of Reich, ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 28,800 | 29,300 |
The National Socialist Aim of Absorption of Austria. In order to understand more clearly how the Nazi conspirators proceeded after the meeting in the Reichschancellery on 5 November 1937, at which Hitler laid plans for the conquest of Austria and Czechoslovakia (386-PS), it is advisable to review the steps which had al... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 29,250 | 29,750 |
can assert that it was fully understood by everyone in Germany who had any knowledge whatever of what was going on that Hitler and the Nazi Government were irrevocably committed to this end and the only doubt which ever existed in conversations or statements to me was 'how' and 'when.'" (1760-PS). As Mr. Messersmith re... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 29,700 | 30,200 |
Legation in Vienna to the State Department during this period. These dispatches indicate that the terror was often directed at Catholic Churches and institutions, and at railways and tourist centers. Mr. Messersmith also recalls that in addition, the Nazis maintained a threat of violent action against Austria through t... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 30,150 | 30,650 |
need say here only that there can be no doubt that the Putsch was ordered and organized by the Nazi officials from Germany through their organization in Austria made up of German Nazis and Austrian Nazis. Dr. Reith, the German Minister in Vienna, was fully familiar with all that was going to happen and that was being p... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 30,600 | 31,100 |
annexation of Austria. On 18 June, in Venice, Hitler was reported to have promised Mussolini to leave Austria alone. Mr. Dodd further states: "On Monday, July 23, after repeated bombings in Austria by Nazis, a boat loaded with explosives was seized on Lake Constance by the Swiss police. It was a shipment of German bomb... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 31,050 | 31,550 |
von Papen on 26 July 1934 is significant. This letter appears in a standard German reference work, Dokumente der Deutschen Politik, II, Pae 83 (2799-PS). (In considering the letter the report widespread at the time should be recalled, that von Papen narrowly missed being purged on 30 June, 1944, along with Ernst Roehm ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 31,500 | 32,000 |
It states: "The two high points of the celebration were the memorial assembly on the 24th at Klagenfurt, capital of the province of Carinthia, where in 1934 the Vienna Nazi revolt found its widest response, and the march on the 25th to the former Federal Chancellery in Vienna by the surviving members of the S.S. Standa... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 31,950 | 32,450 |
men involved were not mere malcontent Austrian revolutionaries, but were regarded as German men, were members of a para-military organization, who stood up here "for Germany." In 1934 Hitler repudiated Dr. Reith because he "dragged the German Reich into an internal Austrian affair without any reason". In 1938 Nazi Germ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 32,400 | 32,900 |
to hear the accredited representative of a supposedly friendly state to Austria admit that he was proposing to engage in activities to undermine and destroy that Government to which he was accredited. He merely smiled and said, of course, not be talking to others so clearly about his conversation as it is characteristi... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 32,850 | 33,350 |
period, were carried on. Mr. Messersmith's affidavit discloses the following: The Nazi organization work. An informant furnished the Austrian Government with a memorandum of a meeting of Austrian Nazi chiefs held in Bavaria, September, 1934. The memorandum shows that they agreed to prepare for new terroristic acts, to ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 33,300 | 33,800 |
Fuehrer had liquidated the first stage of the battle; and a new method of political penetration was to begin. By order of the Fuehrer the Landesleitung Munich was dissolved, and the party in Austria was left to its own resources. "There was no acknowledged leader for the entire party in Austria. New leaderships were fo... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 33,750 | 34,250 |
will give Germany external political difficulties. On this ground, everything must be avoided which could awaken the appearance of Germany interfering in the internal affairs of Austria. Chancellor Hitler will, therefore, also for this reason not endeavor to intervene in the present prevailing difficult crisis in the N... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 34,200 | 34,700 |
later in 1936: "The principles of the construction of the organization were: The organization is the bearer of the illegal fight and the trustee of the idea to create a secret organization, in a simple manner, and without compromise, according to the principle of organization an elite to be available to the illegal lan... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 34,650 | 35,150 |
signed, but it was undoubtedly written by Seyss-Inquart. It was found among Seyss-Inquart's personal files. On the first page of the letter there appears a note in ink, not indicated in the partial English translation, reading: "Air Mail. 15 July, 1515 hours, Berlin, brought to Goering's office." The main text of the l... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 35,100 | 35,600 |
it again because I am satisfied that at one point I could serve the FUEHRER as a tool in his work, even though my former attitude even now gives occasion to very worthy and honorable party comrades to doubt my trustworthiness. I have never paid attention to such things because I am satisfied with the opinion which the ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 35,550 | 36,050 |
although he preferred to use the principles of National Socialist rather than rely on the party organization, he was prepared to defend the party organization as a necessary means of establishing those principles in the German Reich. (d) Assurances and Reassurances. The German government did more than keep up a pretens... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 36,000 | 36,500 |
should first of all explore the possibility of setting Schuschnigg against Starhemberg through the use of 'Go betweens'. The possibility exists. If Mr. Schuschnigg finally says 'No' and makes our offer known in Rome, then the situation would not be any worse but, on the contrary, the efforts of the Reich government to ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 36,450 | 36,950 |
or the day after". For the conspirators well knew that the successful execution of their purpose required for a while longer the quiet policy they had been pursuing in Austria. A memorandum of a conversation which occurred when William Bullitt, American Ambassador to France, called upon von Neurath, German Minister for... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 36,900 | 37,400 |
the Austria Government and thousands of Nazis were released, and the first penetration of the Deutsche Nationaler into the Austrian Government was accomplished by the appointment of Dr. Guido Schmidt as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and of Dr. Edmund Glaise-Horstenau as Minister Without Portfolio". (1760-PS) ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 37,350 | 37,850 |
fight. At the same conference the Gauleiters received organizational instructions from Globocnik and Hiedler." "Upon the proposal of Globocnik, the Fuehrer named Lt. Gen. (Gruppenfuehrer) Keppler as chief of the mixed commission which was appointed, in accordance with the state treaty of 11 July 1936,to supervise the c... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 37,800 | 38,300 |
the League has informed Minister de Glaise-Horstenau, of his intention, to offer him the portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior. As a guiding principle (Marschroute) I recommend on the tactical side, continued, patient psychological treatment, with slowly intensified pressure directed at changing the regime. The pro... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 38,250 | 38,750 |
the activities of the Reich officials and the Austrians who acted as the Nazi "fronts", it was possible to obtain the appointment of Seyss-Inquart as Staatsrat (Councillor of State) in July, 1937. (812-PS) Schuschnigg's affidavit mentions the Olympic Torch incident, and in addition the demonstration of the illegal Nazi... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 38,700 | 39,200 |
in terms of territorial acquisition but rather in terms of political and economic control. And the stated objectives were not limited to Southeast Europe, for important Nazis even in 1933 were stating their desire for the Ukraine as the granary of Germany. When they came to power, the Nazis had two principal objectives... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 39,150 | 39,650 |
of these countries with promises of a share in the loot. To Yugoslavia in particular they offered Carinthia. Concerning the Yugoslav reaction, I reported at the time: '* * * The major factor in the internal situation in the last week has been the increase in tension with respect to the Austrian Nazi refugees in Yugosla... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 39,600 | 40,100 |
In other words, Nazi Germany was able to promote these division and increase its own aggressive strength by using as its agents in making these promises men who on outward appearances were merely conservative diplomats. It is true that Nazis openly scoffed at any notion of international obligations. It is true that the... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 40,050 | 40,550 |
the Heinlein Party in Czechoslovakia. they probed what Goebbels called the "sore spots." In Yugoslavia they played on the differences between the Croats and the Serbs, and in particular played on the fear of the restoration of the Hapsburgs in Austria, a fear which was very real in Yugoslavia. In Hungary, Poland, and R... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 40,500 | 41,000 |
have more space in Europe (386-PS). It was concluded that the space required must be taken by force, three different cases were outlined as possibilities, and it was decided that the problem would have to be solved before the period 1943 to 1945. The nature of a war in the near future was envisaged, specifically agains... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 40,950 | 41,450 |
that the carbon copy received by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy was one of only four copies. This directive from General von Blomberg stated that the general political situation indicated that Germany need not consider an attack from any side, and also that Germany did not intend to unleash a European war. It then ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 41,400 | 41,900 |
back word from Hitler inviting Schuschnigg and agreeing with these conditions, particularly the maintenance of the July 1936 treaty. (2995-PS) The official German communiqué of this conference between Hitler and Schuschnigg at Obersalzberg on 12 February 1938 was calm (2461-PS). The communiqué stated that the unoffic... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 41,850 | 42,350 |
could no longer reckon with any assistance from other European Powers, and that Austria now stood alone in the world. He furthermore added -'Schuschnigg, you now have the chance to put your name alongside the names of other famous German leaders, such as Goering, Hess, Frick, Epp, Goebbels, and others.' * * * ". (2995-... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 42,300 | 42,800 |
you must fulfill the conditions of the demands made by me on you within three days, or else I will order the march into Austria.' I replied: 'I am not able to take over the obligation to fulfill your demands, for I am only the Chancellor of Austria, and that obligation you attempt to place upon me is the duty only of t... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 42,750 | 43,250 |
this talk he had not seen his way clear to make any concessions, and I asked him whether without the pressure he would have been ready to make the concessions he made late in the evening. He answered: 'To be honest, no!' It appears to me of importance to record this statement." (1544-PS) For diplomatic purposes von Pap... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 43,200 | 43,700 |
has been called for a conference to Berlin. (As a matter of fact, this is the case). "d. The Police Stations located at the frontier of Austria, have called up reinforcements. "e. Custom officials report about the imminent maneuvers of the Mountain Brigade (Gebirgsbrigade) in the region of Freilassing, Reichenhall and ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 43,650 | 44,150 |
were present at the first talks which were held at 10 a. m. There it was decided that first, the Fuehrer had to be informed immediately; secondly, the opportunity for the Fuehrer to intervene must be given to him by way of an official declaration made by Minister Seyss-Inquart to Schuschnigg; and thirdly, Seyss-Inquart... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 44,100 | 44,600 |
I intend to invade Austria with armed forces to establish constitutional conditions and to prevent further outrages against the pro-German population. "4. The forces of the Army and Air Force detailed for this operation must be ready for invasion and/or ready for action on the 12th of March 1938 at the latest from 1200... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 44,550 | 45,050 |
of one hour, and after three or four weeks, Austria must oblige herself to carry out a plebiscite concerning the Anschluss according to the SAAR status, otherwise the German Army is ordered to pass the Austrian frontier'. "I further state and say that after informing the Federal President of this demand made on Austria... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 45,000 | 45,500 |
in to those demands of Germany through superior force * * *." (2996-PS) The report from Gauleiter Rainer to Reichscommissioner Buerckel also discusses the events of March 11. In general, Rainer's report corroborates Schuschnigg's affidavit. (812-PS) Another document recalls vividly the events of 11 March 1938. This doc... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 45,450 | 45,950 |
S. would no more be in the position to phone. That would mean that the gentlemen had handed in their resignations. S. was then told to send the telegram to the Fuehrer as agreed upon. As a matter of course, an immediate commission by the Federal President for S. to form a new cabinet would follow Schuschnigg's resignat... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 45,900 | 46,400 |
and Austria will cease to exist. Lt. General Muff should go with you and demand to be admitted for conference immediately. Please, do inform us immediately about Miklas' position. Tell him, there is no time now for any joke. Just through the false report we received before action was delayed, but now the situation is t... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 46,350 | 46,850 |
This was after the ultimatum had expired. Seyss-Inquart informed Goering that Miklas was still refusing to name Seyss-Inquart as Chancellor. The conversation then proceeded as follows: "G: O.K. I shall give the order to march in and then you make sure that you get the power. Notify the leading people about the followin... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 46,800 | 47,300 |
Seyss-Inquart to send the telegram agreed upon. But now the matter was so urgent that Goering dictated the exact wording of the telegram over the telephone. And an hour later, at 9:54 p.m., a conversation between Dr. Dietrich in Berlin and Keppler in Vienna went as follows: "D: I need the telegram urgently. "K: Tell th... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 47,250 | 47,750 |
I will never forget him for (Fuehrer) this. "H: Yes. "F: Never, never, never, whatever happens. I am still ready to make a quite different agreement with him. "H: Yes, I told him that, too. "F: As soon as the Austrian affair has been settled, I shall be ready to go with him through thick and thin, nothing matters. "H: ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 47,700 | 48,200 |
about political things. Well, this story we had given an ultimatum, that is just foolish gossip. From the very beginning the National Socialist ministers and the representatives of the people (Volksreferenten) have presented the ultimatum. Later on, more and more prominent people of the Movement Party participated, and... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 48,150 | 48,650 |
airfield and they were received with joy. Today the advance unit of the 17 division marches in, together with the Austrian troops. Also I want to point out that the Austrian troops did not withdraw but that they got together and fraternized immediately with the German troops, wherever they were stationed." (2949-PS, Pa... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 48,600 | 49,100 |
the German Minister for Foreign Affairs has already been informed in London, such action is found to produce the greatest reactions of which it is impossible to foretell the issues." (3045-PS) Von Neurath wrote a letter of response dated 12 March 1938. He first objected to the fact that the British Government was under... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 49,050 | 49,550 |
troops as soon as possible in order to restore peace and in order to avoid bloodshed. Faced with the immediately threatening danger of a bloody civil war in Austria, the German Government then decided to comply with the appeal addressed to it. "This being the state of affairs, it is impossible that the attitude of the ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 49,500 | 50,000 |
Austria to be a province of the German Reich. By annexing Austria into the German Reich, Germany violated Article 80 of the Treaty of Versailles, which provides: "Germany acknowledges and will respect the independence of Austria within the Frontier which may be fixed in a treaty between that State and the principle All... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 49,950 | 50,450 |
Austria in Further Aggressions. Germany's desire to consummate the Anschluss with Austria, and its determination to execute that aim in the way and at the time that it did (with threat of military force, quickly, and despite political risks), was due to the importance of Austria in its further plans of aggression. The ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 50,400 | 50,900 |
following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court. *386-PS Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 5 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 50,850 | 51,350 |
(Referred to but not offered in evidence.)......................... IV 1101 *2385-PS Affidavit of George S. Messer-smith, 30 August 1945. (USA 68)......................... V 23 *2461-PS Official German communiqué of meeting of Hitler and Schuschnigg, 12 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, V... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 51,300 | 51,800 |
Reich Chancellor, concerning the Austrian Federal Army, 13 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1938, Vol. VI, Part 1, p. 150. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.)......................... V 604 *2949-PS Transcripts of telephone calls from Air Ministry, 11-14 March 1938. (USA 76)................... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 51,750 | 52,250 |
Letter from Keppler to Goering, 9 February 1938, requesting that Leopold be forbidden to negotiate with Schuschnigg except with approval of Reich authorities. (USA 582)......................... VI 196 *3473-PS Letter from Keppler to Goering, 6 January 1938, giving details of Nazi intrigue in Austria. (USA 581)............ | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 52,200 | 52,700 |
Action 1938-39. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)......................... VIII 780 **Chart No. 12 German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to tribunal.)......................... VIII 781 **Chart No. 13 Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)......................... ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 52,650 | 53,150 |
presenting the world with a fait accompli and forestalling outside intervention. (388-PS, Item 2) Thus in mid-April 1938 the designs of the Nazi conspirators to conquer Czechoslovakia had already reached the stage of practical planning. B. The Background of Friendly Diplomatic Relations. This conspiracy must be viewed ... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 53,100 | 53,600 |
1925 (TC-27). C. Planning for Aggression. Behind the screen of these assurances the Nazi conspirators proceeded with their military and political plans for aggression. Ever since the preceding fall it had been established that the immediate aim of German policy was the elimination of Austria and Czechoslovakia. In both... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 53,550 | 54,050 |
* to make possible the military exploitation of politically favorable opportunities should they occur." (C-175) It ordered further work on the plan for mobilization without public announcement "in order to put the Armed Forces in a position to be able to begin a war suddenly which will take the enemy by surprise both a... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 54,000 | 54,500 |
headquarters; Item 12, Short survey of Armament of the Czech Army, dated Berlin 9 June 1938 and initialed "Z" for Zeitzler; and Item 13, Questions of the Fuehrer, dated Berlin, 9 June 1938 and classified "Most Secret". The following are four of the questions on which Hitler wanted authoritative information: "Question 1... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 54,450 | 54,950 |
Hitler then revealed the outlines of the plan to attack Czechoslovakia. Hitler addressed himself to the Generals, saying: 'So, we will first tackle the situation in the East. Then I will give you three to four years' time, and then we will settle the situation in the West.' The situation in the West was meant to be the... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 54,900 | 55,400 |
action in the near future. It is the job of the political leaders to await or bring about the politically and militarily suitable moment. "An inevitable development of conditions inside Czechoslovakia or other political events in Europe creating a surprisingly favorable opportunity and one which may never come again ma... | Yale Avalon (nca_vol1): Chapter IX - The Plotting of Aggressive War | 55,350 | 55,850 |
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