29 Nov: 45
"Keppler: 'Well, send the telegram
to Seyss-Inquart in the office of the Federal Chancellor.'
"Göring: 'Please show him the text of the telegram and
do tell him that we are asking him--well, he does not even need to
send the telegram. All he needs to do is to say, "Agreed."'
"Keppler: 'Yes.'
"Göring: 'He should call me at the Führer's or at
my place. Well, good luck. Heil Hitler.' "
Well, of course, he did not need to send the telegram because
Göring wrote the telegram. He already had it. It must be
recalled that in the first conversation, Part A, held at 3:05 p.m.,
Göring had requested Seyss-Inquart to send the telegram agreed
upon, but now the matter was so urgent that Göring dictated the
exact wording of the telegram over the telephone. And an hour later,
at 9:54 p.m. a conversation between Dr. Dietrich in Berlin and
Keppler in Vienna went on as follows, reading from Part M:
"Dietrich: 'I need the telegram
urgently.'
"Keppler: 'Tell the General Field Marshal that Seyss-Inquart
agrees.'
"Dietrich: 'This is marvelous. Thank you.'
"Keppler: 'Listen to the radio. News will be given.'
"Dietrich: 'Where?'
"Keppler: 'From Vienna.'
"Dietrich: 'So Seyss-Inquart agrees?'
"Keppler: 'Jawohl.' "
Next the actual order to invade Austria. Communications with
Austria were now suspended but the German military machine had been
set in motion. To demonstrate that, I now offer in evidence captured
Document C-182, offered as Exhibit USA-77, a directive of 11 March
1938 at 2045 hours, from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
This directive, initialed by General Jodl and signed by Hitler,
orders the invasion of Austria in view of its failure to comply with
the German ultimatum. The directive reads:
"Top secret; Berlin, 11 March 1938,
2045 hours; Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, OKW,"--with
other symbols--"35 copies, 6th copy. C-in-C Navy"--pencil
note--"has been informed. Re: Operation Otto. Directive No. 2.
"1) The demands of the German ultimatum to the Austrian
Government have not been fulfilled.
"2) The Austrian Armed Forces have been ordered to withdraw
before the entry of German troops and to avoid fighting.