21 Nov. 45
decided to secure by force, starting with a lightning attack on
Czechoslovakia and Austria, greater living space for Germans in
Europe no later than 1943-45 and perhaps as early as 1938 (386-PS).
On the 23rd of May, 1939 the Führer advised his staff that:
"It is a question of expanding our
living space in the East and of securing our food supplies.... Over
and above the natural fertility, thorough-going German exploitation
will enormously increase the surplus.
"There is therefore no question of sparing Poland, and we
are left with the decision: To attack Poland at the first suitable
opportunity. We cannot expect a repetition of the Czech affair. There
will be war." (L-79)
On August 22nd, 1939 Hitler again addressed members of the High
Command, telling them when the start of military operations would be
ordered. He disclosed that for propaganda purposes, he would
provocate a good reason. "It will make no difference," he
announced, "whether this reason will sound convincing or not.
After all, the victor will not be asked whether he talked the truth
or not. We have to proceed brutally. The stronger is always
right." (1014-PS) On 23 November 1939, after the Germans had
invaded Poland, Hitler made this explanation:
". . . For the first time in history
we have to fight on only one front, the other front is at present
free. But no one can know how long that will remain so. I have
doubted for a long time whether I should strike in the East and then
in the West. Basically I did not organize the armed forces in order
not to strike. The decision to strike was always in me. Earlier or
later I wanted to solve the problem. Under pressure it was decided
that the East was to be attacked first ...." (789-PS)
We know the bloody sequel. Frontier incidents were staged.
Demands were made for cession of territory. When Poland refused, the
German forces invaded on September 1st, 1939. Warsaw was destroyed;
Poland fell. The Nazis, in accordance with plan, moved swiftly to
extend their aggression throughout Europe and to gain the advantage
of surprise over their unprepared neighbors. Despite repeated and
solemn assurances of peaceful intentions, they invaded Denmark and
Norway on 9th April 1940; Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg on
10th May 1940; Yugoslavia and Greece on 6th April 1941.
As part of the Nazi preparation for aggression against Poland and
her allies, Germany, on 23rd August 1939, had entered into a
non-aggression pact with Soviet Russia. It was only a delaying treaty
intended to be kept no longer than necessary to prepare for