7 Dec.
45
Carry out 'H' and Weser Exercise
only, and guarantee Belgium Is neutrality for the duration of the war."
I would like to repeat that entry if I may be permitted to do so. "New
idea: Carry out 'H' and Weser Exercise only, and guarantee Belgium's
neutrality for the duration of the war."
The next entry
to which I invite the Court's attention is the entry of the 21st of
February.
THE TRIBUNAL (Mr. Biddle): What does that mean, to "carry
out 'H' "?
I MAJOR JONES: That is a reference to another
code word, "Hartmut," which the Court will see disclosed in a
subsequent document. That is another code word for this Norwegian and
Danish operation.
The entry of February 21st in Jodl's diary
reads:
"Führer
has talked with General Von Falkenhorst and charges him with
preparation of Weser Exercise. Falkenhorst accepts gladly.
Instructions issued to the three branches of the Armed Forces."
Then the next entry, on the next
page . . .
THE PRESIDENT: "Weser Exercise" is
that Norway too?
MAJOR JONES: That is Norway too, My Lord,
yes. That is a translation of "Weserübung."
The
entry on the next page, under the date of February the 28th:
"I
propose first to the Chief of OKW and then to the Führer that
Case Yellow" which as the Court knows is the code name for
the invasion of the Netherlands " and Weser Exercise"
the invasion of Norway and Denmark "must be
prepared in such a way that they will be independent of one another as
regards both time and forces employed. The Führer completely
agrees, if this is in any way possible."
So
that the Court will observe that the new idea of February the 6th that
the neutrality of Belgium might be preserved had been abandoned by
February the 28th.
The next entry is of February the 29th
I am not troubling the Court with further entries of the 28th of
February, which relate to the forces to be employed in the invasion of
Norway and Denmark. February 29th, the second paragraph:
"Führer
also wishes to have a strong task force in Copenhagen and a plan
elaborated in detail showing how individual coastal batteries are to
be captured by shock troops. Warlimont, Chief of Land Defense,
instructed to make out immediately the order of the Army, Navy, and
Air Force; and Chief 'WZ' to make out a similar order regarding the
strengthening of the staff."