The first of these three cases set forth a
hypothetical international situation, in which he would take action
not later than 1943 to 1945, saying:
"If the Führer is still
living then it will be his irrevocable decision to solve the German
space problem not later than 1943 to 1945. The necessity for action
before 1943 to 1945 will come under consideration in Cases 2 and
3."
The second and third cases to which Hitler referred
show the plain intention to seize Austria and Czechoslovakia, and in
this connection Hitler said:
"For the improvement of our
military-political position, it must be our first aim in every case
of entanglement by war to conquer Czechoslovakia and Austria
simultaneously in order to remove any threat from the flanks in case
of a possible advance westwards."
He further added:
"The annexation of the two
States to Germany militarily and politically would constitute a
considerable relief, owing to shorter and better frontiers, the
freeing of fighting personnel for other purposes, and the possibility
of reconstituting new armies up to a strength of about twelve
divisions."
This decision to seize Austria and Czechoslovakia was
discussed in some detail; the action was to be taken as soon as a
favorable opportunity presented itself.
The military strength which Germany had been building up since
1933 was now to be directed at the two specific countries, Austria
and Czechoslovakia.
The Defendant Göring testified that he did not believe at
that time that Hitler actually meant to attack Austria and
Czechoslovakia, and that the purpose of the conference was only to
put pressure on Von Fritsch to speed up the re-armament of the Army.
The Defendant Raeder testified that neither he, nor Von Fritsch,
nor Von Blomberg, believed that Hitler actually meant war, a
conviction which the Defendant Raeder claims that he held up to 22
August 1939. The basis of this conviction was his hope that Hitler
would obtain a "political solution" of Germany's problems.
But all that this means, when examined, is the belief that Germany's
position would be so good, and Germany's armed might so overwhelming
that the territory desired could be obtained without fighting for it.
It must be remembered too that Hitler's declared intention with
regard to Austria was actually carried out within a little over four
months from the date of the meeting, and within less than a year the
first portion of Czechoslovakia was absorbed, and Bohemia and Moravia
a few months later. If any doubts