27 Nov. 45
I read from the first part of the document which is headed
"top secret":
"For the operation suggested in the
last Staff talks of the Armed Forces, I lay down the code name
'Schulung"'-- training.--
"The supreme direction of Operation Schulung rests with the
Reich Minister of Defense as this is a joint undertaking of the-three
services.
"Preparations for the operation will begin forthwith
according to the following directives:
"1. General.
"(1) The operation must, on issue of the code words 'Carry
out Schulung', be executed by a surprise blow at lighting speed.
Strictest secrecy is necessary in the preparations and only the very
smallest number of officers should be informed and employed in the
drafting of reports, drawings, et cetera, and these officers
only in person.
"(2) There is no time for mobilization of the forces taking
part. These will be employed in their peacetime strength and with
their peacetime equipment.
"(3) The preparation for the operation will be made without
regard to the present inadequate state of our armaments. Every
improvement of the state of our armaments will make possible a
greater measure of preparedness and thus result in better prospects
of success."
The rest of the order deals with military details and I think it
is unnecessary to read it.
There are certain points, in the face of this order, which are
inconsistent with any theory that it was merely a training order, or
that it might have been defensive in nature. The operation was to be
carried out as a surprise blow at lightning speed (Schlagartig als
Uberfall).
The air forces were to provide support for the attack. There was
to be reinforcement by the East Prussian division. Furthermore, this
document is dated 2 May1935, which is about 6 weeks after the
promulgation of the Conscription Law on 16 March 1935,and so it could
hardly have been planned as a defensive measure against any expected
sanctions which might have been applied by reason of the passage of
the Conscription Law.
Of course the actual reoccupation of the homeland did not take
place until 7 March 1936, so that this early plan would necessarily
have been totally revised to suit the existing conditions and
specific objectives. As I say, although the plan does not mention