Eleventh Day:
Monday, 3rd December, 1945
[Page 18]
General Stuelpnagel mentions that for the first time he
wonders whether the previous basis of the plan is not being
abandoned. It presupposed that the Western Powers would not
interfere decisively. It begins to seem as if the Fuehrer
would stick to his decision, even though he may no longer be
of this opinion. It must be added that Hungary is at least
moody and that Italy is reserved."
1800 hours to 2100 hours: conference with Chief of Army High
Command and Chief of General Staff of the Air Forces (present
were General Jeschonnek, Kammhuber, Sternburg and myself). We
agree about the promulgation of the D-day order. (X-Befehl) (X-
1, 4 o'clock) and pre-announcement to the Air Force (D-day
minus 1 (X minus 1 day)7 o'clock). The' Y' time has yet to be
examined. Some formations of an approach flight of one hour." [Page 19]
In this meeting General Halder reviewed the missions assigned to
four of the German Armies being committed to the attack, the
Second, the Tenth, the Twelfth and the Fourteenth. With his
character1stic enthusiasm for military planning, Hitler then
delivered a soliloquy on strategic considerations, which should be
taken in account as the attack developed. I shall quote only four
paragraphs, beginning with the summary of General von
Brauchitsch's remarks, on the bottom of Page 42.
The Fuehrer: I do not see why workers have to return home as
early as X-II. Other workers and people are also on the way on
mobilisation day. Also the railroad cars, they will stand
around unnecessarily later on.
General Keitel: Workers are not under the jurisdiction of
district commands in the West. Trains must be assembled.
Von Brauchitsch: 235,000 men R.A.D. (Labour Service) will be
drafted. 96 construction battalions will be d1stributed (also
in the East). 40,000 trained labourers stay in the West."
I now offer in evidence Document C-2 as Exhibit USA go, which is a
carbon copy of the original, signed in pencil. Seven copies of
this document, as it shows on its face, were prepared and
d1stributed on the 1st of October 1938, to the O.K.H. ' the
O.K.M., the Luftwaffe and the Foreign Office.
In this study anticipated violations by Germany of International
Law in connection with the invasion of Czechoslovakia are l1sted
and counterpropaganda suggested for the use of the Propaganda
Agencies. It is a highly interesting Top Secret document and, from
a glance at the original,
[Page 20]
The document is prepared in tabular form, in which the anticipated
instances of violation of International Law are l1sted in the left-
hand column. In the second column are given specific examples of
the incidents. In the third and fourth columns the position to be
taken toward these incidents, in violation of International Law
and in violation of the laws of warfare, is set forth.
The fifth column, which in this document unfortunately is blank,
was reserved for the explanations to be offered by the Propaganda
Minister. I first quote from the covering letter:
Owing to the short time allowed for the compilation, Columns C-
1 and C-2 had to be filled in directly here for the time being.
The branches of the Armed Forces are requested to send in an
opinion here so that a final version may be drawn up.
The same is requested of the Foreign Office.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces.
By order (signed) Burckner."
Second: Englishmen or Frenchmen are killed or injured.
Third: The Hradschin is destroyed in an air raid on Prague.
Fourth: On account of a report that the Czechs have used gas,
the firing of gas projectiles is ordered.
Fifth: Czech civilians, not recognisable as soldiers, are caught
in the act of sabotage (destruction of important bridges,
destruction of foodstuffs and fodder) or are discovered looting
wounded or dead soldiers and thereupon shot.
Sixth: Captured Czech soldiers or Czech civilians are detailed
to do road work or to load munitions.
Seventh: For military reasons it is necessary to requisition
billets, foodstuffs, and fodder from the Czech population. As a
result the latter suffer from want.
Eighth: Czech population is, for military reasons, compulsorily
evacuated to the rear areas.
Ninth: Churches are used for military accommodation.
Tenth: In the course of their duty, German aircraft fly over
Polish territory where they are involved in an air battle with
Czech aircraft."
THE PRESIDENT: Are you passing from that document now
MR. ALDERMAN: Yes.
[Page 21]
MR. ALDERMAN: Perhaps I should, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: It is number 4.
MR. ALDERMAN: Incident number 4?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
MR. ALDERMAN: Well, number 4 was the supposed incident, "On
account of a report that the Czechs have used gas, the firing of
gas projectiles is ordered." Under the heading "Attitude of
International Law Group it says:
THE PRESIDENT: There is another short passage which seems to be
material.
MR. ALDERMAN: I was very much tempted to read the whole document.
THE PRESIDENT: The classification number 10.
MR. ALDERMAN: Number 10 was "In course of their duty, German
aircraft fly over Polish territory where they are involved in an
air battle with Czech aircraft."
Under the heading "Attitude of the International Law Group:"
[Page 22]
MR. ALDERMAN:
Whatever the Court wishes. Yes, sir, I will go on.I had referred
to the order of the 14th September, by which defendant Keitel
issued detailed instructions. No, I am sorry, I had referred to an
order issued by Hitler on the 10th September from Nuremberg,
bringing the German Labour Service under the O.K.W. This Top
Secret order, of which 25 copies were made, is Item 20 in the
Schmundt file, Page 441 will read that order:
2. The Chief of O.K.W. decides on the first commitments of
this organisation in connection with the Reich Labour Leader
(Reichsarbeitsfuehrer) and on assignments from time to time to
the Supreme Commands of the Navy, Army, and Air Force. Where
questions arise with regard to competency he will make a final
decision in accordance with my instructions.
3. For the time being this order is to be made known only to
the departments and personnel immediately concerned.
(Signed) Adolf Hitler."
There is another order issued by the defendant Jodl on the 16th
September, Item 24, at Page 48 in the Schmundt file. I think I
need only read the heading or title of that: "Subject: Employment
of Reich Labour Service" for manoeuvres with Wehrmacht.
Two further entries in the defendant Jodl's diary give further
indications of the problems of the O.K.W. in this period of mid-
September, just two weeks before the anticipated X-day.
I now read the answers for the 15th and 16th September, at Pages 5
and 6 of the English translation of the Jodl diary.
16th September: General Keitel returns from the Berghof at
1700 hours. He graphically describes the results of the
conference between Chamberlain and the Fuehrer. The next
conference will take place on the 21st or 22nd in Godesberg.
With consent of the Fuehrer, the order is given in the evening
to the Armed Forces High Command, to the Army High Command,
and to the Ministry of Finance, to line up the V.G.A.D. along
the Czech border (reinforced border guard).
In the same way, an order is issued to the railways to have
empty rolling stock clandestinely kept in readiness for the
strategic concentrations of the Army, so that it can be
transported starting 28th September." [Page 23]
Therefore the trainloads for the limes job"- I understand the
"limes job" to have reference to defence fortification in the
West - "will have to be cut down after 17th September and
those goods loaded previous to this date, unloaded by 20th
September.
The Supreme Command of the Army (Fifth Division of the Army
General Staff) must issue further orders after consultation
with the authorities concerned.
However, in accordance with the Fuehrer's directive, every
effort should be made to continue to supply the materials in
as large quantities as feasible, even after 20th September,
1938, and this for reasons of camouflage as well as in order
to continue the important work on the limes."
On the 18th the commitment scheduled for the five participating
Armies, the Second, Eighth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Fourteenth, was
set forth. That is Item 26 in the Schmundt file at Page 50 of the
English translation. Hitler approved the secret mobilisation of
five divisions in the West to protect the German rear during "Case
Green", and I refer to Item 31 in the Schmundt file at Page 13. I
beg your pardon, it is Page 55, I had a misprint. I might refer to
that. It is a "Most Secret" order, Berlin, 27th September, 1938,
1920 hours, 45 copies of which this is the 16th.
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(Part 4 of 8)
[MR ALDERMAN continues]
"The Fuehrer gives orders for the development of the Western
fortifications; improvement of advance positions around Aachen
and Saarbrucken; construction of 300 to 400 battery positions
(1,600 artillery pieces). He emphasises flanking action."
Five days later General Stuelpnagel asked defendant Jodl for
written assurance that the O.K.H. would be informed five days in
advance about the impending action. In the evening Jodl conferred
with Luftwaffe generals about the co-ordination of ground and air
operation at the start of the action. I now read the 8th September
entry in General Jodl's diary, Page 5 of the English translation
of Document 1780-PS.
"General Stuelpnagel O.K.H. asks for written assurance that
the Army High Command will be informed five days in advance if
the plan is to take place. I agree and add that the over-all
meteorological situation can be estimated for only two days in
advance and that therefore the plans may be changed up to this
moment, that is 'D-day minus 2,' or as the German puts it, 'X
minus 2 Tage.'
Now, this is Jodl talking:
"I must admit that I am worrying too, when comparing the
change of opinion about political and military potentialities,
according to directives of 24th June, 1937, 5th November,
1937, 7th December, 1937 and 3oth May, 1938, with the last
statements. In spite of that one must be aware of the fact
that the other nations will do everything they can to apply
pressure to us. We must pass this test of nerves but, because
only very few people know the art of withstanding this
pressure successfully, the only possible solution is to inform
only a very small circle of officers of news that causes us
anxiety, and not to let it circulate through anterooms as
heretofore.
Late on the evening of the following day, the 9th September,
Hitler met the defendant Keitel and Generals von Brauchitsch and
Halder at
"General Oberst von Brauchitsch: Employment of motorised
divisions was based on the difficult rail situation in Austria
and the difficulties in getting other divs"- that is for
divisions - "(ready to march) into the area at the right time.
In the West, vehicles will have to leave on the 20th of
September, if X-day remains as planned. Workers leave on the
23rd by relays. Special1st workers remain according to
decision by Army Command 2.
From this day forward the Nazi conspirators were occupied with the
intricate planning which is required before such an attack. On the
11th of September defendant Jodl conferred with a representative
of the Propaganda Ministry about methods of refuting German
violations of International Law and of exploiting those of the
Czechoslovakians. I read the 11th September entry in the Jodl
diary at Page 5 of the English translation of Document 1780-PS:
"In the afternoon conference with Secretary of State Jahnke, from
the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda on imminent
common tasks. These joint preparations for refutation
(Wiederlegung) of our own violations of International Law, and the
exploitation of its violations by the enemy, were considered
particularly important."
This discussion developed into a detailed study compiled by
Section L, that is, Jodl's section of the O.K.W.
"Enclosed is a l1st drawn up by Section L of the O.K.W. of the
violations of International Law which may be expected on the
part of fighting troops.
I am sorry that I perhaps cannot take the time to read extensively
from this document. I shall confine myself to reading the first
ten hypothetical incidents for which justification must be found,
from the second column, Column B of the Table.
"First: In an air raid on Prague the British Embassy is
destroyed.
From Nuremberg on the 10th of September, Hitler issued an order
bringing the Reichsarbeitsdienst, the German Labour Service, under
the O.K.W. This Top Secret order --
"According to the declaration agreed to in June, 1925, by 40
States, including Czechoslovakia, the employment of poison gases,
chemical warfare agents, and bacteriological substances is
expressly forbidden. Quite a number of States made the reservation
to this declaration on the prohibition of gas that they consider
themselves exempt from this prohibition should the opponent use
gas."
Then, under the column headed "Justification by the Laws of War",
it says:
"If the assertion, that the opponent - in this case the Czechs -
used a prohibited gas in warfare, is to be believed by the world,
it must be possible to prove it. If that is possible, the firing
of gas projectiles is justified and it must be given out in public
that it can be proved that the enemy was the first to violate the
prohibition. It is therefore particularly important to furnish the
proof. If the assertion is unfounded or only partially founded,
the gas attack is to be represented only as the need for carrying
out a justified reprisal, in the same way as the Italians did in
the Abyssinian War. In this case, however, the justification for
such harsh reprisals must be proved."
From Nuremberg on the 10th September, Hitler issued an order
bringing the Reichsarbeitsdienst, the German Labour Service, under
the O.K.W. --
"According to Article 1 of the Fifth Hague Convention of 18th
October, 1907, the territory of neutral powers is not to be
violated. A deliberate violation of flying over this territory is
a breach of International Law if the neutral powers have declared
an air barrier for combat aircraft. If German planes fly over
Polish territory this constitutes a violation of International
Law, provided that this action is not expressly permitted."
Now, under the heading " Justification by the Laws of War", is
this:
"An attempt at denials should first be made. If this is
unsuccessful, a request for pardon should be made, on the grounds
of miscalculation of position, to the Polish Government and
compensation for damage guaranteed."
"1. The whole R.A.D. organisation comes under the command of
the Supreme Command of the Army, effective 15th September.
Four days later, on the 14th September, defendant Keitel issued
detailed instructions for the employment of specific R.A.D. units.
This order is Item 21 in the Schmundt file, at Page 45 in the
English translation. I do not think I need read the order.
"In the morning conference with Chief of Army High Command and
Chief of General Staffs of Army and Air Force, the question
was discussed what could be done if the Fuehrer insisted on
advancement of the date, due to the rapid development of the
situation.
The order to the railroads to make rolling stock available, which
General Jodl referred to, appears as Item 22, at Page 47 of the
Schmundt file. In this order the defendant Keitel told the
railroads to be ready by the 28th
"The Reichsbahn (that is the railroads) must provide trains of
empty trucks in great numbers by 28th September for the
carrying out of mobilisation exercises. This task now takes
precedence over all others.
The penultimate stage of the aggression begins on the 18th
September. From that date until the 28th a series of orders were
issued advancing preparations for the attack. These orders are
included in the Schmundt file and I shall not take the time of the
Tribunal by attempting to read all of it.
"The Fuehrer has approved the mobilisation without warning of the
five regular West divisions (26, 34, 36, 32 and 35). The Fuehrer
and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has expressly
reserved the right to issue the order for employment in the
fortification zone and the evacuation of this zone by the workers
of the Todt organisation.