. NMT02-T0387
Volume II · Page 387
| TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT L-79
* PROSECUTION EXHIBIT 3 |
| EXTRACT FROM MINUTES OF
FUEHRER CONFERENCE, 23 MAY 1939 |
| Top Secret |
To be transmitted by officer only Minutes of a Conference on 23 May 39Place: The Fuehrer's Study, New Reich Chancellery. Adjutant on duty: Lt: Col. (GSC) Schmundt. Present: The Fuehrer, Field Marshal Goering, Grand Admiral [Admiral of the Fleet] Raeder. Col. Gen. [General] von Brauchitsch, Col. Gen. Keitel, Col. Gen. Milch, Gen. (of Artillery) [Lt. General] Halder, Gen. Bodenschatz, Rear-Admiral Schniewind, Col. (GSC) Jeschonnek, Col. (GSC) Warlimont, Lt: Col. (GSC) Schmundt, Capt. [Army] Engel, Lt. Comdr. Albrecht, Capt. [Army] v. Below. |
| Subject: Indoctrination
on the political situation and future aims. |
The Fuehrer defined as the purpose of the conference: |
| Secrecy is the first essential for success.
The Fuehrer's observations are given in systematized form below. Our present situation must be considered from two points of view: (1) the actual development of events between 1933 and 1939; (2) the permanent and unchanging situation in which Germany lies. In the period 1933-1939, progress was made in all fields. Our military situation improved enormously. Our situation with regard to the rest of the world has remained the same. Germany had dropped from the circle of Great Powers. The balance of power had been effected without the participation of Germany. ___________ * The basic importance of this Hitler conference on 23 May 1939 was emphasized by the IMT Judgment. See Trial of Major War Criminals, vol. I, pp. 188 and 200, Nuremberg, 1947. For translation of entire document see Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, vol. VII, pp. 847-864, U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington. 1946. |
