8 Jan. 46
"As regards the war economy, Minister
President, Colonel General Göring sees it as his task 'within 4
years to put the entire economy in a state of readiness for war.'"
The exhibit from which I have just read is of interest because of
another document that has just been brought to the attention of the
Prosecution. It is a note for the files, dated December 2, 1936, written
in longhand on the letterhead of "Minister President General Göring
and is in the handwriting of Colonel Bodenschatz, Göring's Chief of
Staff. I offer this memorandum as Exhibit Number USA-580. It is our
Document 3474-PS, and I direct the Tribunal's attention to the fact that
the date of this document is the 2d of December 1936. That was a
conference, apparently, at which all the chief officers and generals of
the Air Force, the German Air Force, met. Besides the Defendant Göring
there were General Milch, General Kesselring, Rüdel, Stumpff,
Christiansen, and all the top commanders of the Air Force, and I read:
"World press excited about the
landing of 5,000 German volunteers in Spain. Official complaint by
Great Britain; she gets in touch with France.
"Italy suggests that Germany and Italy send, each, one division
ground troops to Spain. It is, however, necessary that Italy, as
interested Mediterranean power, issue a political declaration first. A
decision can be expected only within a few days.
"The general situation is very serious. Russia wants the war.
England rearms speedily. Command therefore: Beginning today 'höchste
Einsatzbereitschaft"' — apparently the translator did not
see fit to translate those words, which mean the "highest degree
of readiness" — "regardless of financial difficulties.
Göring takes over full responsibility."
"Peace until 1941 is desirable. However, we cannot know whether
there will be implications before. We are already in a state of war.
It is only that no shot is being fired so far."
THE PRESIDENT: Perhaps that would be a convenient time to break off.
[A recess was taken until 1400 hours.]