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26 Nov. 45
following the successful annexation of Austria.
In the carrying out of the conspiracy, it became necessary to revise
the Plan Grün to take into account the changed attitude, as a
result of the bloodless success against Austria. I shall now read
item number 2 of this file:
"Berlin, 22 April 1938. Bases of
the Dissertation on 'Grün.'
"Summary of discussion between Führer and General
Keitel of 21 April:
"A. Political aspect.
"1. Strategic surprise attack, out of a clear sky without
any cause or possibility of justification, has been turned down. As
result would be: hostile world opinion which can lead to a critical
situation. Such a measure is justified only for the elimination of
the last opponent on the mainland.
"2. Action after a time of diplomatic clashes, which
gradually come to a crisis and lead to war.
"3. Lightning-swift action as the result of an incident (for
example, the assassination of German Ambassador in connection with an
anti-German demonstration.)
"B. Military conclusions.
"1. The preparations are to be made for the political
possibilities (2 and 3). Case 2 is the undesired one since Grün
will have taken security measures.
"2. The loss of time caused by transporting the bulk of the
divisions by rail-which is unavoidable, but should be cut down as far
as possible-must not impede a lightning-swift blow at the time of the
action.
"3. 'Separate thrusts' are to be carried out immediately
with a view to penetrating the enemy fortification lines at numerous
points and in a strategically favorable direction. The thrusts are to
be worked out to the smallest detail (knowledge of roads, of targets,
composition of the columns according to their individual tasks).
Simultaneous attacks by the Army and Air Force.
"The Air Force is to support the individual columns (for
example dive-bombers; sealing of installations at penetration points,
hampering the bringing up of reserves, destroying signal
communications traffic, thereby isolating the garrisons).
"4. Politically, the first 4 days of military action are the
decisive ones. If there are no effective military successes, a
European crisis will certainly arise. Accomplished facts must prove
the senselessness of foreign military intervention, draw
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