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Volume II · Page 688
A. Today I must assume that, at that time I was not aware of it.
Q. When did you first learn that an attack on Russia was intended?
A. At the beginning of January 1941 — I beg your pardon — yes, that is right, 1941, on 13 January actually. It was then that Goering, during a conference with a large circle of commanding officers, informed us that one's attention should be turned to the East, as Hitler was fearing an attack by the Russians.
Q. Yes, and you finally came to the conclusion that the declaration of war, or rather, the undeclared war against Russia was a crime against Germany.
A. Yes.
Q. Did you think it was a crime against Russia?
A. Yes, against Russia also.
Q. Also?
A. Yes.
Q. Now, you endeavored to see Hitler to persuade him not to enter this war.
A. Yes.
Q. And your immediate circle, your military friends, realized that it was foolhardy to provoke a war with Russia and thereby establish two fronts?
A. Exactly the way I saw it, yes. My immediate circle were of the same opinion as I was.
Q. And all the generals were of the same impression — that it was hopeless for Germany, and that further it was tragic and suicidal to Germany to allow Hitler to take over the control of the armed forces? You were practically unanimous in that belief, were you not?
A. This was never discussed in any larger circles.
Q. But you have testified — it is in the record — that you were all of that belief.
A. It transpired at a later stage, when it was discussed, that they were all of the same opinion.
Q. When was that?
A. Later on in the course of the war.
Q. When did you realize that it was a mistake to have Hitler as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces?
A. I, personally?
Q. When was it thoroughly recognized, even though not expressed at a public meeting among the generals, that it was suicidal, a great mistake, to have Hitler as Commander in Chief?
