Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression F. Negotiations with Italy and Hungary about Case Green.
Knowledge of pending action against Czechoslovakia was not
confined to a close circle of high officials of the Reich.
During the summer Germany's allies, Italy and Hungary, were
apprised by one means or another of the plans of the Nazi
conspirators. A captured document from German Foreign Office
files contains a confidential memorandum of a conversation
with the Italian ambassador, Attolico, in Berlin on 18 July
1938 (2800-PS). At the bottom is a handwritten note, headed
"For the Reichsminister [Ribbentrop] only." This note reads:
"Attolico added that we had made it unmistakably clear
to the Italians what our intentions are regarding
Czechoslovakia. He also knew the appointed time well
enough so that he could take perhaps a two months'
holiday now which he could not do later on.
[Page 529]
"Giving an idea of the attitude of other governments
Attolico mentioned that the Roumanian government had
refused to grant application for leave to its Berlin
Minister." (2800-PS)
A month later Mussolini sent a message to Berlin, asking
that he be told the date on which Case Green would take
place. The German response is outlined in a German Foreign
Office note on a conversation with Ambassador Attolico,
signed "R" for Ribbentrop) and dated 23 August 1938:
"On the voyage of the 'Patria' Ambassador Attolico explained
to me that he had instructions to request the notification
of a contemplated time for German action against
Czechoslovakia from the German government.
"In case the Czechs should again cause a provocation
against Germany, Germany would march. This would be
tomorrow, in six months or perhaps in a year. However,
I could promise him, that the German government, in
case of an increasing gravity of the situation or as
soon as the Fuehrer made his decision, would notify the
Italian-Chief of Government as rapidly as possible. In
any case, the Italian government will be the first one
who will receive such a notification.
"R (initial) ."
Four days later Attolico again asked to be notified of the
date of the pending attack. The conversation is recorded in
another German Foreign Office Memorandum:
"Ambassador Attolico paid me a visit today at 12
o'clock to communicate the following:
"He had received another written instruction from
Mussolini asking that Germany communicate in time the
probable date of action against Czechoslovakia.
Mussolini asked for such notification, as Mr. Attolico
assured me, in order 'to be able to take in due time
the necessary measures on the French frontier.'
"Berlin, 27 August 1938 R
"N. B. I replied to Ambassador Attolico, just as on his
former demarche, that I could not impart any date to
him, that, however, in any case Mussolini would be the
first one to be informed of any decision.
"Berlin, 2 September 1938." (2792-PS)
Hungary, which borders Czechoslovakia to the southeast, was
[Page 530]
from the first considered to be a possible participant in
Case Green. It will be recalled that in early March 1938
Keitel and Ribbentrop had exchanged letters on the question
of bringing Hungary into the Nazi planning (2786-PS). At
that time the decision was in the negative. But by mid-
August 1938 the Nazi conspirators were attempting to
persuade Hungary to join in the attack.
From August 21st to 26th Admiral Horthy and some of his
ministers visited Germany. Admiral Horthy witnessed the
launching of the Prince Eugen and conferred with Hitler.
There were discussions of the Czechoslovak question. A
captured German Foreign Office document, signed by von
Weizsacker, records the conversations between Hitler and
Ribbentrop and a Hungarian delegation consisting of Horthy,
Imredy, and Kanya aboard the S. S. Patria on 23 August 1938
(2796-PS). In this conference Ribbentrop inquired about the
Hungarian attitude in the event of a German attack on
Czechoslovakia and suggested that such an attack would prove
to be a good opportunity for Hungary. The Hungarians, with
the exception of Horthy, who wished to put the Hungarian
intention to participate on record, proved reluctant to
commit themselves. Thereupon Hitler emphasized Ribbentrop's
statement, and said:
"Whoever wanted to join the meal would have to
participate in the cooking as well." (2796 PS)
The
original plaintext version
of this file is available via
ftp.
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Volume
I Chapter IX
The Execution of the Plan to Invade Czechoslovakia<(Part 8 of 29)