7 Dec.
45
by Jodl. It is Number 444-PS in our numbered series and
is already in evidence as Exhibit Number GB-116.
The directive begins by saying:
"The preparatory measures of supreme
headquarters for the prosecution of the war in the near future are to
be made along the following lines . . . . "
It then outlines plans for the various theaters and the policy regarding
relations with other countries and says regarding the U.S.S.R. —
and I read now from Page 3, Paragraph Number 5 of the English
translation:
"Political discussions have been
initiated with the aim of clarifying Russia's attitude for the time
being. Irrespective of the results of these discussions all
preparations for the East which have already been verbally ordered
will be continued.
"Instructions on this will follow as soon as the general outline
of the Army's operational plans have been submitted to, and approved
by me."
On the 5th of
December 1940 the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, at that time
General Halder, reported to the Führer concerning the progress of
the plans for the coming operation against the U.S.S.R. A report of this
conference with Hitler is contained in captured Document Number 1799-PS.
This is a folder containing many documents all labeled annexes and all
bearing on Fall Barbarossa, the plan against the U.S.S.R. This folder
was discovered in the War Diary of the Wehrmachtfürungsstab and was
apparently an enclosure to that diary.
The report I am here referring to is Annex Number 1 and is dated
December 1940.
I now offer in evidence Document Number 1799-PS as United States
Exhibit Number 131. 1 should also like to read into the record a few
sentences from the report of 5 December 1940 as they indicate the state
of the planning for this act of aggression six and a half months before
it occurred.
"Report to the Führer on 5
December 1940.
"The Chief of the General Staff of the Army then reported about
the planned operation in the East. He expanded at first on the
geographical fundamentals. The main war industrial centers are in the
Ukraine, in Moscow and in Leningrad."
Then skipping:
"The Führer declares that he has
agreed with the discussed operational plans and adds the following:
"The most important goal is to prevent. the Russians from
withdrawing on a closed front. The eastward advance should