Stretching German Gasoline Supply.

In 1935, the historian HAL Fisher wrote that 'a country which is determined to have a war can always have it.'

Hitler was determined to destroy the League, and it is doubtful if anything could have saved it.

Hitler had three aims:

1. To abolish the Treaty of Versailles

The Germans hated it, especially:

Tiny armed forces,

The Saar was under League of Nations control,

The Rhineland was demilitarised,

Anschluss (union) with Austria was forbidden,

Germans were forced to live in Czechoslovakia (the Sudetenland) and Poland,

Danzig was under League of Nations control.


The Treaty was a constant reminder to the Germans of their humiliation in World War I. Hitler did not accept that the German army had lost the war, and he was determined to make Germany great again.

The Versailles Treaty is worthless. 60 million German hearts and minds are on fire with anger and shame. They will cry out 'We want war!'

(Mein Kampf)

2. To expand German territory

The German population was growing. Hitler said that the German nation needed more Lebensraum ('living space') . He was determined to get Lebensraum by conquering land in Europe. An adjunct to this objective was that Hitler saw it germany's manifest destiny to dominate and subjugate the rest of Europe to serve Nazi purposes. From an early point he identified the defeat of the democracies as central to thjis objective

Hitlers expansionist policies were connected with his belief that the "Aryan" race was genetically superior and destined to rule over others. He furter believed that it was the manifest destiny for germany to be the the leader of the Aryan races. Hitler believed he had the right (indeed the obligation) to invade neighbouring European nations and make non-aryans and non-Germans peoples (such as the Poles, French and Russians) Germany's slaves. Those who he saw as aryans, but resisting him (particulalry the democracies) like britain came in for particular attention.

It will be the duty of German foreign policy to get large spaces to feed and house the growing population of Germany. Destiny points us towards Russia.

(Hitler - Mein Kampf (1924)).

3. To defeat Communism

The Nazis were Fascists: the exact opposite of the Communists who ruled Russia.

Hitler blamed the Communists for Germany's defeat in World War One, and he feared that the Communists were trying to take over Germany.

He was determined to destroy Communism, and this meant a war with Russia.

The menace of Russia hangs over Germany. All our strength is needed to rescue our nation from this international snake.

Mein Kampf (1924)

Many historians – and Hitler himself – claimed that he wanted to reverse the Treaty of Versailles:

My foreign policy is to abolish the Treaty of Versailles. It is futile nonsense for the rest of the world to pretend today that I did not reveal this program until 1933 or 1935 or 1937. Instead of listening to foolish chatter, these gentlemen would have been wiser to read what I have written thousands of times.

Hitler, talking on 15 March 1939

Part I

LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING
TO AGGRESSION AGAINST POLAND, DANZIG,
ENGLAND AND FRANCE

Charter of the International Military Tribunal (comonly referred to as the Nurnberg Trials) , Article 6 (a). Vol. I Pg. 5

International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV (F) 4; V. Vol. I Pg. 26,29

[Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.]


*386-PS; Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 5 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and dated 10 November 1937. (USA 25) Vol. III, Pg. 295

*388-PS; File of papers on Case Green (the plan for the attack on Czechoslovakia), kept by Schmundt,Hitler's adjutant, April-October 1938,. (USA 26) Vol. III, Pg. 305

*699-PS; Letter from Funk to Hitler,25 August 1939, reporting on economic affairs. (GB 49) Vol. III, Pg. 509

*789-PS; Speech of the Fuehrer at a conference, 23 November 1939, to which all Supreme Commanders were ordered. (USA 23) Vol. III, Pg.572

*795-PS; Keitel's conference, 17 August 1939, concerning\ giving Polish uniforms to Heydrich. (GB 54) Vol. III, Pg.580

*798-PS; Hitler's speech to Commanders-in-Chief, at Obersalzberg, 22 August 1939. (USA 29) Vol. III, Pg.581

*1014-PS; Hitler's speech to Commanders-in-Chief, 22 August 1939. (USA 30) Vol. III, Pg.665

*1639-A-PS; Mobilization book for the Civil Administration, 1939 Edition, issued over signature of Keitel. (USA 777) Vol. IV, Pg. 143

*1780-PS; Excerpts from diary kept by General Jodl, January 1937 to August 1939. (USA 72) Vol. IV, Pg.360

1796-PS; Notes to the War Diary from March 1939 to January 1940. Vol. IV, Pg.370

1822-PS; Telegram from Minister of Foreign Affairs in Rome to Minister of Foreign Affairs in Berlin,25 August 1939, concerning conference with Mussolini and Ciano. Vol. IV, Pg.459

1823-PS; Hitler reply to Mussolini, 27 August 1939, concerning attitude of Italy in conference of25 August 1939. Vol. IV, Pg.462

1828-PS; Memorandum handed to German Foreign Office by Count Magistrate in Rome, 7 August 1939. Vol. IV, Pg.463

*1831-PS; Correspondence between Hitler and Mussolini, September 1939. (GB 75) Vol. IV, Pg.463

1832-PS; Telephone report of Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs in Rome, 27 August 1939. Vol. IV, Pg.468

1889-PS; Account of conference of Fuehrer and Italian Ambassador Attolico, 31 August 1939. Vol. IV, Pg.528

*2327-PS; Two top secret memoranda, 14 June 1939, concerning operation "Fall Weiss". (USA 39) Vol. IV, Pg.1035

*2357-PS; Speech by Hitler before Reichstag, 20 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, Part VI, 1, pp. 50-52. (GB 30) Vol. IV, Pg.1099

*2368-PS; Hitler's speech before Reichstag, 30 January 1937, published in Documents of German Politics, Part VI, 2, p. 42. (GB 26) Vol. IV, Pg.1102

*2530-PS; Ribbentrop's speech in Warsaw, 25 January 1939, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, 1 February 1939. (GB 36) Vol. V, Pg. 267

*2751-PS; Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945. (USA 482) Vol. V, Pg. 390

2817-PS; Telegram from German Embassy, Rome, to Ribbentrop, concerning answer of Duce to Hitler's second letter, 27 August 1939. Vol. V, Pg.452

*2818-PS; Secret additional protocol to the Friendship and Alliance Pact between Germany and Italy. (GB 292) Vol. V, Pg.453

2834-PS; Letter from Mussolini to Fuehrer, 25 August 1939. Vol. V, Pg.502

*2835-PS; German Foreign Office memorandum on conversation between Ribbentrop and the Duce, 10 March 1940. (GB 291) Vol. V, Pg.502

*2846-PS; Affidavit of Edwin Lahousen, 13 November 1945 Vol. V, Pg. 507

*2897-PS; Telegram from German Ambassador in Tokyo, Ott, to Ribbentrop, 13 July 1941. (USA 156) Vol. V, Pg.566

*3054-PS; "The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167) Vol. V, Pg.801

*C-23; Unsigned documents found in official Navy files containing notes year by year from 1927 to 1940 on reconstruction of the German Navy, and dated 18 February 1938, 8 March 1938, September 1938. (USA 49) Vol. VI, Pg. 827

*C-30; Air-Sea Forces Orders for Occupation Danzig, 27 July 1939. (GB 46) Vol. VI, Pg.831

*C-120; Directives for Armed Forces 193940 for "Fall Weiss", operation against Poland. (GB 41) Vol. VI, Pg.916

*C-126; Preliminary Time Table for "Fall Weiss" and directions for secret mobilization. (GB 45) Vol. VI, Pg.932

*C-137; Keitel's appendix of 124 January 1938 to Hitler Order of October 21 1938. (GB 33) Vol. VI, Pg.949

*C-142; Intention of the Army High Command and Orders, signed by Brauchitsch. (USA 538) Vol. VI, Pg.956

*C-172; Order No. 1 for "Fall Weiss" signed by Doenitz. (GB 189) Vol. VI, Pg. 1002

*C-175; OKW Directive for Unified Preparation for War 1937-1938, with covering letter from von Blomberg, 24 June 1937. (USA 69) Vol. VI, Pg. 1006

*D-738; Memorandum on second conference between German Foreign Minister with Hungarian Prime and Foreign Minister on 1 May 1939. (GB 290) Vol. VII, Pg. 193

*L-43; Air Force "Organizational Study 1950", 2 May 1938. (GB 29) (See Chart No. 10.) Vol. VII, Pg.788

*L-79; .. Minutes of conference, 23 May 1939, "Indoctrination on the political situation and future aims". (USA 27) Vol. VII, Pg.847

*L-172; "The Strategic Position at the Beginning of the 5th Year of War", a lecture delivered by Jodl on 7 November 1943 at Munich to Reich and Gauleiters. (USA 34) Vol. VIII, Pg. 920

*R-100; Minutes of instructions given by Hitler to General von Brauchitsch on 25 March 1939. (USA 121) Vol. VIII, Pg.83

Par II

*TC-2; Hague Convention (1) for Pacific Settlement of International Disputes197. (GB 2) Vol. VIII, Pg.276

*TC-3; Hague Convention (3) Relative to opening of Hostilities. (GB 2) Vol. VIII, Pg.279

*TC-9; Versailles Treaty, Section XI, Article 100, Free City of Danzig. (GB 3) Vol. VIII, Pg. 290

*TC-15; Arbitration Treaty between Germany and Poland at Locarno, 16 October 1925. (GB 16) Vol. VIII, Pg.331

*TC-18; Declaration concerning wars of aggression; resolution of 3rd Committee of League of Nations, 24 September 1927. (GB 17) Vol. VIII, Pg.357

*TC-19; Kellogg-Briand Pact at Paris. 1929 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part II, No. 9, pp. 97-101. (GB 180) Vol. VIII, Pg. 359

*TC-21; German-Polish Declaration, 26 January 1934. (GB 24) Vol. VIII, Pg. 368

*TC-28; German assurance to Czechoslovakia, 26 September 1938, from Documents of German Politics, Part VI, pp. 34346. (GB 22) Vol. VIII, Pg. 378

*TC-29; German assurances to Poland, 26 September 1938, from Documents of German Politics, Part VI, p. 336. (GB 32) Vol. VIII, Pg. 378

*TC-53-A; Marginal note to decree of final incorporation of Memel with German Reich, 23 March 1939, from Documents of German Polities, Part VII, p. 552. (GB 4) Vol. VIII, Pg. 408

*TC-54; Proclamation of the Fuehrer to German Armed Forces, 1 September 1939. (GB 73) Vol. VIII, Pg. 408

*TC-70; Hitler's Reichstag speech concerning agreement with Poland, 30 January 1934, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 31 January 1934. (GB 25) Vol. VIII, Pg. 433

*TC-71; Reports of British Consul in Danzig, July 1939. (GB 47) Vol. VIII, Pg. Vol. VIII, Pg. 434

*TC-72 No. 13; British Blue Book. Hitler's Reichstag speech, 28 April 1939. (GB 43) Vol. VIII, Pg. 438

*TC-72 No. 14; British Blue Book. German memorandum renouncing 1934 agreement, 28 April 1939. (GB 42) Vol. VIII, Pg. 441

*TC-72 No. 16; British Blue Book. Polish Government's reply, 5 May 1939, to 28 April memo. (GB 44) Vol. VIII, Pg. 445

*TC-72 No. 17; British Blue Book. British Prime Minister's statement in House of Commons, 31 March 1939. (GB 39) Vol. VIII, Pg. 450

*TC-72 No. 18; British Blue Book. Anglo-Polish communique issued 6 April 1939. (GB 40) Vol. VIII, Pg. 450

*TC-72 No. 53; British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 26 August 1939. (GB 51) Vol. VIII, Pg. 451

*TC-72 No. 54; British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 26 August 1939. (GB 52) Vol. VIII, Pg. 452

*TC-72 No. 55; British Blue Book. Report of British Ambassador, Warsaw, 27 August 1939. (GB 53) Vol. VIII, Pg. 452

*TC-72 No. 56; British Blue Book. British Prime Minister's letter to Hitler, 22 August 1939. (GB 55) Vol. VIII, Pg. 453

*TC-72 No. 60; British Blue Book. Hitler's reply to British Prime Minister, 23 August 1939. (GB 56) Vol. VIII, Pg. 455

*TC-72 No. 62; British Blue Book. Danzig Senate Decree appointing Forster Head of State, 23 August 1939. (GB 50) Vol. VIII, Pg. 457

*TC-72; No. 68; British Blue Book. Hitler's verbal communique to Sir Neville Henderson,25 August 1939. (GB 65) Vol. VIII, Pg. 458

*TC-72 No. 74; British Blue Book. British Government's reply, 28 August 1939, to Hitler's message of 25 August. (GB 66) Vol. VIII, Pg. 460

*TC-72 No. 75; British Blue Book. Hitler and Sir N. Henderson conversation, 28 August 1939. (GB 67) Vol. VIII, Pg. 463

*TC-72 No. 78; British Blue Book. Hitler's reply to British Government, 29 August 1939. (GB 68) Vol. VIII, Pg. 466

*TC-72 No. 79; British Blue Book. Hitler and Sir N. Henderson conversation, 29 August 1939. (GB 69) Vol. VIII, Pg. 469

*TC-72 No. 89; British Blue Book. British Government's reply, 30 August 1939, to German communication of 29 August. (GB 70) Vol. VIII, Pg. 470

*TC-72 No. 92; British Blue Book. Ribbentrop and Sir N. Henderson conversation, midnight 30 August 1939. (GB 71) Vol. VIII, Pg. 472

*TC-72 No. 110; British Blue Book. British Government's ultimatum, 1 September 1939. (GB 74) Vol. VIII, Pg. 473

TC-72 No. 113; British Blue Book. Copy German proposals handed to Sir N. Henderson 9:15 P.M., 31 August 1939. Vol. VIII, Pg. 474

TC-72 No. 118; British Blue Book. British Government's final ultimatum, 3 September 1939. Vol. VIII, Pg. 474

TC-72 No. 124; Description; British Blue Book. President Roosevelt's appeal to Hitler, 24 August 1939. (GB 59 Vol. VIII, Pg.475

*TC-72 No. 126; British Blue Book. President Moscicki's reply to President Roosevelt,25 August 1939. (GB 60) Vol. VIII, Pg. 476

*TC-72 No. 127; British Blue Book. President Roosevelt's second appeal to Hitler, 25 August 1939. (GB 61) Vol. VIII, Pg. 477

*TC-72 No. 139; British Blue Book. The Pope's appeal, 24 August 1939. (GB 62) Vol. VIII, Pg. 477

*TC-72 No. 141; British Blue Book. The Pope's appeal, 31 August 1939. (GB 63) Vol. VIII, Pg. 480

*TC-73 No. 33; Polish White Book. German-Polish communique, 5 November 1937. (GB 27) Vol. VIII, Pg. 480

*TC-73 No. 44; Polish White Book. Lipski, Ribbentrop luncheon, conversation, 24 October 1938. (GB 27-A) Vol. VIII, Pg.483

*TC-73 No. 45; Polish White Book. Beck's instructions to Lipski, 31 October 1938. (GB 27-B) Vol. VIII, Pg. 484

*TC-73 No. 48; Polish White Book. Beck and Hitler conversation, 5 January 1939. (GB 34) Vol. VIII, Pg.486

*TC-73 No. 49; Polish White Book. Beck and Ribbentrop conversation, 6 January 1939. (GB 35) Vol. VIII, Pg.488

*TC-73 No. 57; Polish White Book. Hitler's Reichstag speech, 30 January 1939. (GB 37) Vol. VIII, Pg.488

*TC-73 No. 61; Polish White Book. Ribbentrop and Lipski conversation, 21 March 1939. (GB 38) Vol. VIII, Pg.489

*TC-73 No. 91; Polish White Book. Anglo-Polish Agreement,25 August 1939. (GB 57) Vol. VIII, Pg.492

*TC-73 No. 112; Polish White Book. Ribbentrop-Liski conversation, 31 August 1939. (GB 72) Vol. VIII, Pg.494

*TC-73 No. 113; Polish White Book. German broadcast 9 P.M. 31 August 1939. Vol. VIII, Pg.495

*TC-75; Memo for the Fuehrer, 2 January 1938, concerning Anglo-German relations. (GB 28) Vol. VIII, Pg.513

*TC-77; Note for Reichsminister, 26 August 1938. (GB 31) Vol. VIII, Pg.515

*TC-78; Memorandum of conversation between Hitler, Ribbentrop and Ciano, 12 August 1939. (GB 48) Vol. VIII, Pg.529

*TC-78; French Prime Minister's letter to Hitler, 26 August 1939. (GB 58) Vol. VIII, Pg.531

*TC-79; Hitler's reply to French Prime Minister, 27 August 1939. (GB 58) Vol. VIII, Pg.531

*TC-90; Goering's interrogation, 29 August 1945. (GB 64) Vol. VIII, Pg. 534

*TC-91; Ribbentrop's interrogation, 29 August 1945. (GB 276) Vol. VIII, Pg. 535

Affidavit A; Affidavit of Erwin Lahousen, 21 January 1946, substantially the same as his testimony on direct examination before the International Military Tribunal at Nurnberg 21 January 1945 and 11 February 1945. Vol. VIII, Pg.587

*Chart No. 10; 1938 Proposals for Luftwaffe Expansion 1938-1950. (L-43; GB 29) Vol. VIII, Pg.779

**Chart No. 12; German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII, Pg. 781

**Chart No. 13; Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal). Vol. VIII, Pg. 782

Nazi Conspiracy Aggression
Volume I Chapter IX
The Execution of the Plan to Invade Czechoslovakia<(Part 29 of 29)

LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE EXECUTION OF THE PLAN TO INVADE CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 (a).

International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV (F) 3 (a, c); V.

[Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.]

*375-PS Case Green with wider implications, report of Intelligence Division, Luftwaffe General Staff,25 August 1938. (USA 84). Vol. III Pg. 280

*386-PS; Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 6 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and dated 10 November 1937. (USA 25) Vol. III Pg.295

*388-PS; File of papers on Case Green (the plan for the attack on Czechoslovakia), kept by Schmundt, Hitlers adjutant, April-October 1938. (USA 26) Vol. III Pg.305

*789-PS; Speech of the Fuehrer at a conference, 23 November 1939, to which all Supreme Commanders were ordered. (USA 23) Vol. III Pg.572

*998-PS; "German Crimes Against Czechoslovakia". Excerpts from Czechoslovak Official Report for the prosecution and trial of the German Major War Criminals by the International Military Tribunal established according to Agreement of four Great Powers of 8 August 1945. (USA 91) Vol. III Pg.656

*1301-PS; File relating to financing of armament including minutes of conference with Goering at the Air Ministry, 14 October 1938, concerning acceleration of rearmament. (USA 123) 868

*1439-PS; Treaty of Protection between Slovakia and the Reich, signed in Vienna 18 March and in Berlin 23 March 1939. 1939 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 606. (GB 135) Vol. IV Pg.18

*1536-PS; Report of Luftwaffe General Staff, Intelligence Division, 12 August 1938, on reconnaissance by German Air Attache at Prague for airfield in Czechoslovakia, enclosing report of the Air Attache, Major Moericke, 4 August 1938. (USA 83) Vol. IV Pg.96

*1780-PS; Excerpts from diary kept by General Jodl, January 1937 to August 1939. (USA 72) Vol. IV Pg.360

*1874-PS; Notes on conference between Goering, Mussolini and Ciano, 15 April 1939. (USA 125) Vol. IV Pg.518

2358-PS; Speech by Hitler in Sportspalast, Berlin, 26 September 1938, from Voelkischer Beobachter,. Munich Edition, 27 September 1938. Vol. IV Pg.1100

*2360-PS; Speech by Hitler before Reichstag, 30 January 1939, from Voelkischer Beobachter, Munich Edition, 31 January 1939. (GB 134) Vol. IV Pg.1101

*2786-PS Letter from Ribbentrop to Keitel, 4 March 1938. (USA 81) Vol. V Pg. 419

*2788-PS; Notes of conference in the Foreign Office between Ribbentrop, Konrad Henlein, K. H. E rank and others on program for Sudeten agitation, 29 March 1938. (USA 95) Vol. V Pg.422

*2789-PS; Letter from Konrad Henlein to Ribbentrop, 17 March 1938. (USA 94) Vol. V Pg.424

*2790-PS; German Foreign Office minutes of conference between Hitler, Ribbentrop, Tuca and Karmasin, 12 February 1939. (USA 110) Vol. V Pg.425

*2791-PS; German Foreign Office minutes of conversation between Ribbentrop and Attolico, the Italian Ambassador, 23 August 1938. (USA 86) Vol. V Pg.426

*2792-PS; German Foreign Office minutes of conversations between Ribbentrop and Attolico, 27 August 1938 and 2 September 1938. (USA 87) Vol. V Pg.426

*2793-PS; Confidential protocol concerning economic and financial collaboration between the German Reich and State of Slovakia. (USA 120) Vol. V Pg.427

*2794; German Foreign Office memorandum on payments to Karmasin, 29 November 1939. (USA 108) Vol. V Pg.429

*2795-PS; Handwritten postscript by Ribbentrop to German Foreign Office notes of Ribbentrop- Chvalkovsky conversation, 21 January 1939. (USA 106) Vol. V Pg.430

*2796-PS; German Foreign Office notes on conversations between Hitler, Ribbentrop and von Weizsacker and the Hungarian Ministers Imredy and von Kanya, 23 August 1938. (USA 88) Vol. V Pg.430

*2797-PS; German Foreign Office memorandum of conversation between Ribbentrop and von Kanya,25 August 1938. (USA 89) Vol. V Pg.432

*2798-PS; German Foreign Office minutes of the meeting between Hitler and President Hacha of Czechoslovakia, 15 March 1939. (USA 118; GB 5) Vol. V Pg.433

*2800-PS; German Foreign Office notes of a conversation with Attolico, the Italian Ambassador, 18 July 1938. (USA 85) Vol. V Pg.442

*2801-PS; Minutes of conversation between Goering and Slovak Minister Durkansky (probably late fall or early winter 1938-39). (USA 109) Vol. V Pg.442

*2802-PS; German Foreign Office notes of conference on 13 March 1939 between Hitler and Monsignor Tiso, Prime Minister of Slovakia. (USA 117) Vol. V Pg.442

*2815-PS; Telegram from Ribbentrop to the German Minister in Prague, 13 March 1939. (USA 116) Vol. V Pg.443

*2816-PS; Letter from Horthy, the Hungarian Regent, to Hitler, dated Budapest, 13 March 1939. (USA 115) Vol. V Pg.451

*2826-PS; The SS on 15 March 1939, an article by SS-Gruppenfuehrer K. H. Frank, in magazine Bohemia and Moravia, May 1941, p. 179., (USA 111) Vol. V Pg.472

*2853-PS; Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 24 September 1938. (USA 100) Vol. V Pg.521

*2854-PS; Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 17 September 1938. (USA 99) Vol. V Pg.521

*2855-PS; Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 16 September 1938. (USA 98) Vol. V Pg.522

*2856-PS; Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 24 September 1938. (USA 101) Vol. V Pg.522

*2858; Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 19 September 1938. (USA 97) Vol. V Pg.523

*2859-PS; Telegram from German Legation, Prague, to Consulate at Bratislava, 22 November 1938. (USA 107) Vol. V Pg.523

*2860-PS; Document No. 10 in the British Blue Book. Speech by Lord Halifax in the House of Lords, 20 March 1939. (USA 119) Vol. V Pg.523

*2861-PS; Document No. 12 in the British Blue Book. Dispatch from Sir Nevile Henderson to British Foreign Office, 28 May 1939, relating details of conversation with Goering. (USA 119) Vol. V Pg.524

*2862-PS; Document No. 126 in Peace and War. Statement by Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles, 17 March 1939. (USA 122) Vol. V Pg.525

**2863-PS; Lecture by Konrad Henlein, delivered in Vienna, 4 March 1941. Quoted in "Four Fighting Years", Czechoslovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs, London, 1943, pp. 29-30. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) (USA 92) Vol. V Pg.525

Part II

2906-PS; German Foreign Office minutes of meeting between Hitler and Chvalkovsky, the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister, 21 January 1939. Vol. V Pg.571

*2943-PS; Documents Numbers 65, 57, 62, 65, 66, 73, 77 and 79 in the French Yellow Book. excerpts from eight dispatches from M. Coulondre, the French Ambassador in Berlin, to the French Foreign Office, between 13 March 1939 and 18 March 1939. (USA 114) Vol. V Pg.608

**3029-PS; Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945, on activities of the SD along the Czechoslovak border during September 1938. (USA 103) (Objection to admission in evidence upheld.) Vol. V Pg.738

3030-PS; Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945, on relationship between the SD and pro-Nazi Slovak groups in March 1939. Vol. V Pg.739

**3036-PS; Affidavit of Gottlob Berger on the composition and activity of the Henlein Free Corps in September 1938. (Objection to admission in evidence upheld.) (USA 102) Vol. V Pg.742

3037-PS; Affidavit of Fritz Wiedemann, 121 January 1945, on the meeting between Hitler and his principal advisers in Reichs Chancellery on 28 May 1938. Vol. V Pg.743

*3054-PS; "The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167) Vol. V Pg.801

*3059-PS; German Foreign Office memorandum, 19 August 1938, on payments to Henlein's Sudeten German Party between 1935 and 1938. (USA 96) Vol. V Pg.855

*3060-PS; Dispatch from German Minister in Prague to Foreign Office in Berlin about policy arrangements with Henlein, 16 March 1938. (USA 98) Vol. V Pg.856

*3061-PS; Supplement No. 2 to the Official Czechoslovak Report entitled "German Crimes Against Czechoslovakia" (document 998-PS). (USA 126) Vol. V Pg.857

3571-PS; Report of US Military Attache, Berlin, including an article in magazine Wehrmacht, 29 March 1939, describing occupation of Bohemia and Moravia by German troops. Vol. VI Pg.264

3618-PS; Report of US Military Attache in Berlin, 20 March 1939, Concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia. Vol. VI Pg.389

3619-PS; Report of US Military Attache in Berlin, 19 April 1939, concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia. Vol. VI Pg.398

3638-PS; Memorandum of Ribbentrop, 1 October 1938, concerning his conversation with Ciano about the Polish demands made on Czechoslovakia. Vol. VI Pg.400

*3842-PS; Statement of Fritz Mundhenke, 7 March 1946, concerning the activities of Kaltenbrunner and SS in preparation for occupation of Czechoslovakia. (USA 805) Vol. VI Pg.778

*C-2; Examples of violations of International Law and proposed counter propaganda, issued by OKW, 1 October 1938. (USA 90) Vol. VI Pg.799

*C-136; OKW Order on preparations for war, October 21 1938, signed by Hitler and initialled by Keitel. (USA 104) Vol. VI Pg.947

*C-138; Supplement of 17 December 1938, signed by Keitel, to 21 October Order of the OKW. (USA 105) Vol. VI Pg.950

*C-175; OKW Directive for Unified Preparation for War 1937-1938, with covering letter from von Blomberg, 24 June 1937. (USA 69) Vol. VI Pg.1006

*D-571; Official report of British Minister in Prague to Viscount Halifax, 21 March 1939. (USA 112) Vol. VII Pg.88

*D-572; Dispatch from Mr. Pares, British Consul in Bratislava to Mr. Newton, 20 March 1939, describing German support of Slovak separatists. (USA 113) Vol. VII Pg.90

*L-79; Minutes of conference, 23 May 1939, "Indoctrination on the political situation and future aims". (USA 27) Vol. VII Pg.847

*L-179; "The Strategic Position at the Beginning of the 5th Year of War", a lecture delivered by Jodl on 7 November 1943 at Munich to Reich and Gauleiters. (USA 34) Vol. VII Pg.920

*R-100; Minutes of instructions given by Hitler to General von Brauchitsch on 25 March 1939. (USA 121) Vol. VIII Pg.83

*R-133; Notes on conference with Goering in Westerland on 25 July 1939, signed Mueller, dated Berlin 27 July 1939. (USA 124) Vol. VIII Pg.202

*R-150; Extracts from Luftwaffe Group Command Three Study on Instruction for Deployment and Combat "Case Red", 2 June 1938. (USA 82) Vol. VIII Pg.268

*TC-14; Arbitration Treaty between Germany and Czechoslovakia, signed at Locarno, 10 October 1925. (GB 14) Vol. VIII Pg.325

*TC-23; Agreement between Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, 29 September 1938. (GB 23) Vol. VIII Pg.370 [Page 592]

*TC-27; German assurances to Czechoslovakia, 11 March 1938 and 12 March 1938, as reported by M. Masaryk, the Czechoslovak Minister to London to Viscount Halifax. (GB 21) Vol. VIII Pg.377

*TC-49; Agreement with Czechoslovakia, 15 March 1939, signed by Hitler, von Ribbentrop, Hacha and Chvalkovsky, from Documents of German Politics, Part VII, pp. 498499. (GB 6) Vol. VIII Pg.402

*TC-50; Proclamation of the Fuehrer to the German people and Order of the Fuehrer to the Wehrmacht, 15 March 1939, from Documents of German Politics, Part VII, pp. 499-501. (GB 7) Vol. VIII Pg.402

*TC-51; Decree establishing the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, 16 March 1939. (GB 8) Vol. VIII Pg.404

*TC-52; Formal British protest against the annexation of Czechoslovakia in violation of the Munich Agreement, 17 March 1939. (GB 9) Vol. VIII Pg.407

*TC-53; Formal French protest against the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia in violation of the Munich Agreement, 17 March 1939. (GB 10) Vol. VIII Pg.407

Affidavit H; Affidavit of Franz Halder, 22 November 1945. Vol. VIII Pg.643

**Chart No. 11; Aggressive Action 1938-39. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.). Vol. VIII Pg.780

**Chart No. 12; German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII Pg.781

**Chart No. 13.; Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII Pg. 782

Nazi Conspiracy Aggression
Volume I Chapter IX
Aggression Against Austria
(Part 19 of 19)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO AGGRESSION AGAINST AUSTRIA

Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 (a). Vol. I Pg. 5

International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV (F) 3 (a, b); V. Vol. I Pg. 23-24,29

[Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.]

*386-PS; Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 5 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and dated 10 November 1937. (USA 25) Vol. III Pg. 295

*812-PS; Letter from Rainer to Seyss- Inquart, 22 August 1939 and report from Gauleiter Rainer to Reichskommissar Gauleiter Buerckel, 6 July 1939 on events in the NSDAP of Austria from 1933 to 11 March 1938. (USA 61) Vol. III Pg.586

**1060-PS; Order pursuant to law concerning Reunion of Austria with German Reich, 16 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 249. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. III Pg.717

*1544-PS; Von Papen's notes, 26 February 1938, on his parting visit with Chancellor Schuschnigg. (USA 71) Vol. IV Pg.103

**1659-PS; Second Order concerning Plebiscite and Election for the Greater German Reichstag of 24 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 303. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. IV Pg.170

1660-PS; Decree for registration for active service in Austria in the year 1938 of 16 June 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 631. Vol. IV Pg.170

*1760-PS; Affidavit of George S. Messersmith, 28 August 1945. (USA 57) Vol. IV Pg.305

*1775-PS; Propositions to Hitler by OKW, 14 February 1938. (USA 73) Vol. IV Pg.357

*1780-PS; Excerpts from diary kept by General Jodl, January 1937 to August 1939. (USA 72) Vol. IV Pg.360

*2219-PS; Excerpt from letter from Seyss-Inquart to Goering, 14 July 1939. (USA 62) Vol. IV Pg.854

*2246-PS; Report of von Papen to Hitler, 1 September 1936, concerning Danube situation. (USA 67) Vol. IV Pg.930

*2247-PS; Letter from von Papen to Hitler, 17 May 1935, concerning intention of Austrian government to arm. (USA 64) Vol. IV Pg.930

*2248-PS; Report of von Papen to Hitler, 27 July 1935, concerning National Socialism in Austria. (USA 63) Vol. IV Pg.932

*2307-PS; Law concerning reunion of Austria with German Reich, 13 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 237. (GB 133) Vol. IV Pg.997

**2310-PS; First Decree of Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor concerning Introduction of German Reich Law into Austria, 15 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 247. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. IV Pg.1004

**2311-PS; Decree of Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor concerning Administration of the Oath to Officials of Province of Austria, 15 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 245. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. IV Pg.1004

**2313-PS; Order for Transfer of Austrian National Bank to Reichsbank, 17 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 254. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. IV Pg.1005

**2367-PS; Hitler's speech of 1 May 1936, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, Southern German edition, 2 May 1936-3 May 1936. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. IV Pg.1006

*2385-PS; Affidavit of George S. Messersmith, 30 August 1945. (USA 68) Vol. V Pg. 23

*2461-PS; Official German communique of meeting of Hitler and Schuschnigg, 12 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (GB 132) Vol. V Pg.206

*2463-PS; Telegram from Seyss-Inquart to Hitler, 11 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (USA 703) Vol. V Pg.207

**2264-PS; Official Austrian communique of the reorganization of the Austrian Cabinet and general political amnesty, 16 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.208

**2465-PS; Announcement of appointment of Seyss-Inquart as Federal Chancellor, 11 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1938, Vol. VI, Part 1. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.209

**2466-PS; Official communique of resignation of Austrian President Miklas, 13 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.209

2467-PS; Hitler's telegram to Mussolini from Linz, 13 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. Vol. V Pg.210

**2469-PS; Official German and Austrian communique concerning equal rights of Austrian National Socialists in Austria, 18 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.210

**2484-PS; Official German communique of visit of Austrian Minister Seyss-Inquart to Hitler, Berlin, 17 February 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1939, Vol. VI, Part 1. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.234

**2485-PS; Address by Federal Chancellor Seyss-Inquart from Balcony of City Hall at Linz, 12 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, Vol. VI, Part 1, p. 144-145. (Referred to but not introduced in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.234

2510-PS; Hitler letter to Mussolini, 11 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, Vol. VI, Part 1, pp. 135-7, No. 24. Vol. V Pg.244

*2799-PS; Letter from Hitler to von Papen, 26 July 1934, published in Documents of German Politics, Vol. II, p. 83, No. 38. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.441

2831-PS; Letter from Office of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of German Government to Reich Chancellery, inclosing report on Political situation in Austria, 14 January 1937. Vol. V Pg.498

*2832-PS; Entry for 26 July 1934 from Ambassador Dodd's diary. (USA 58) Vol. V Pg.500

2909-PS; Affidavit of August Eingruber, 9 November 1945. Vol. V Pg.578

**2935-PS; Order concerning establishment of Reich Propaganda Office in Vienna, 31 March 1938. 1938 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 350. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.604

**2936-PS; Instruction of the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor, concerning the Austrian Federal Army, 13 March 1938, published in Documents of German Politics, 1938, Vol. VI, Part 1, p. 150. (Referred to but not offered in evidence.) Vol. V Pg.604

*2949-PS; Transcripts of telephone calls from Air Ministry, 11 March 1938-14 March 1938. (USA 76) Vol. V Pg.628

*2968-PS; Memorandum from US Army officer concerning plaque erected in Austrian Chancellery in memoriam to killers of Dollfuss. (USA 60) Vol. V Pg.677

2985-PS; Telephone message of Mr. Hadow British Legation, Vienna, to Sir John Simon, 26 July 1934. Vol. V Pg.687

Part II

*2994-PS; Affidavit of Kurt von Schuschnigg, former Chancellor of Austria, concerning Austrian-German Treaty of 11 July 1936. (USA 66) (Objection to admission in evidence upheld) Vol. V Pg. 703

2995-PS; Affidavit of Kurt von Schuschnigg, former Chancellor of Austria, concerning his visit to Berchtesgaden on 12 February 1938. Vol. V Pg.709

2996-PS; Affidavit of Kurt von Schuschnigg, former Chancellor of Austria, concerning events of 11 March 1938. Vol. V Pg.713

*3045-PS; Letter, 12 March 1938, to British Embassy enclosing letter from Henderson to Halifax, 11 March 1938. (USA 127) Vol. V Pg.765

*3054-PS; "The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167) Vol. V Pg.801

3062-PS; Memorandum found in Goering's office, 19 November 1936, concerning Guido Schmidt, Foreign Minister of Austria under Schuschnigg. Vol. V Pg.868

*3254-PS; The Austrian Question, 1934- 1938, by Seyss-Inquart, 9 September 1945. (USA 704) Vol. V Pg.961

*3270-PS; Goering's speech on 27 March in Vienna, published in Documents of German Politics, Vol. VI, Part 1, p. 183. (USA 703) Vol. V Pg.1047

*3271-PS; Letter from Seyss-Inquart to Himmler, 19 August 1939. (USA 700) Vol. V Pg.1047

*3287-PS; Letter from von Neurath to Henderson, 12 March 1938. (USA 128) Vol. V Pg.1090

*3308-PS; Affidavit by Paul Otto Gustav Schmidt, 28 November 1945. (GB 288) Vol. V Pg.1100

3390-PS; Letter from Seyss-Inquart to Keppler, 25 October 1937. Vol. VI Pg. 105

3392-PS; Letter from Seyss-Inquart to Keppler, 3 September 1937. Vol. VI Pg.109

3395-PS; Letter from Seyss-Inquart to Keppler, 3 September 1937. Vol. VI Pg.113

*3396-PS; Letter from Seyss-Inquart to Dr. Jury. (USA 889) Vol. VI Pg.114

*3397-PS; Letter from Keppler to Seyss-Inquart, 8 January 1938. (USA 702) Vol. VI Pg.115

3400-PS; Minutes of meeting of German Association, 28 December 1918, and Constitution and By-Laws thereof found in personal files of Seyss-Inquart for period of 1918 to 1943. Vol. VI Pg.118

*3425-PS; Voluntary statement made by Seyss-Inquart with advice of counsel, 10 December 1945. (USA 701) Vol. VI Pg.124

3467-PS; Law on Limitation of travel to Republic Austria 29 May 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, No. 57, p. 311. Vol. VI Pg.169

*3471-PS; Letter from Keppler to Bodenschatz, 21 February 1938, with | enclosures noting activity of Leopold as leader of Austrian Nazis and possible appointment of Klausner as his successor. (USA 583) Vol. VI Pg.195

*3472-PS; Letter from Keppler to Goering, 19 February 1938, requesting that Leopold be forbidden to negotiate with Schuschnigg except with approval of Reich authorities. (USA 582) Vol. VI Pg.196

*3473-PS; Letter from Keppler to Goering, 6 January 1938, giving details of Nazi intrigue in Austria. (USA 581) Vol. VI Pg.196

3574-PS; Filing notice regarding discussion between Chief of CI and Chief of Foreign CI on 31 January 1938, 2 February 1938, signed Canaris. Vol. VI Pg.265

3576-PS; Letter from Keppler to Goering, 19 February 1938, with enclosure reporting on situation in Austria as of 18 February. Vol. VI Pg.271

3577-PS; Letter presumably from Buerkel to Goering, dated Vienna, 26 March 1938, concerning Aryanization of Jewish-held business in Austria and disposition of resulting funds. Vol. VI Pg.275

*C-102; Document signed by Hitler relating to operation "Otto", 11 March 1938. (USA 74) Vol. VI Pg.911

*C-103; Directive signed by Jodl, 11 March 1938, on conduct towards Czech or Italian troops in Austria. (USA 75) Vol. VI Pg.913

*C-175; OKW Directive for Unified Preparation for War 1937-1938, with covering letter from von Blomberg, 24 June 1937. (USA 69) Vol. VI Pg.1006

*C-182; Directive No. 2 from Supreme Commander Armed Forces, initialled Jodl, 11 March 1938. (USA 77) Vol. VI Pg.1017

*L-150; Memorandum of conversation between Ambassador Bullitt and von Neurath, German Minister for Foreign Affairs, 18 May 1936. (USA 65) Vol. VII Pg.890

*L-151; Report from Ambassador Bullitt to State Department, 23 November 1937, regarding his visit to Warsaw. (USA 70) Vol. VII Pg.894

*L-172; "The Strategic Position at the Beginning of the 5th Year of War", a lecture delivered by Jodl on 7 November 1943 at Munich to Reich and Gauleiters. (USA 34) Vol. VII Pg.920

*L-273; Report of American Consul General in Vienna to Secretary of State, 26 July 1938, concerning anniversary of assassination of Chancellor Dollfuss. (USA 59) Vol. VII Pg.1094

L-281; Text of Schuschnigg radio address of 11 March 1938, contained in telegram from American Legation in Vienna to the Secretary of State, 11 March 1938. Vol. VII Pg.1096

L-291; Telegram from American Embassy Berlin to Secretary of State, 11 March 1938, concerning Austrian situation. Vol. VII Pg.1097

*L-292; Telegram of American Consul General in Vienna to Secretary of State, 12 March 1938, concerning propaganda dropped over Vienna. (USA 78) Vol. VII Pg.1098

L-293; Telegram from American Legation in Vienna to Secretary of State, 12 March 1938. Vol. VII Pg.1098

*TC-26; Agreement between Austria and German Government and Government of Federal State of Austria, 11 July 1936. (GB 20) Vol. VIII Pg.369

*TC-26; German assurance to Austria 21 May 1935, from Documents of German Politics, Part III, p. 94. (GB 19) Vol. VIII Pg.376

TC-47; Hitler's Proclamation of Invasion of Austria, 12 March 1938. Vol. VIII Pg.398

Affidavit H; Affidavit of Franz Halder, 22 November 1945. Vol. VIII Pg.643

**Chart No. 11; Aggressive Action 1938-39. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII Pg. 780

**CHart No. 12; German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII Pg.781

**Chart No. 13; Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.) Vol. VIII Pg.782

The preceeding posts are just the listed material used to establish Indictment No1 of the Nuremberg War Crimes trials. The material is extensive and conclusinve. From an early point the Nazi regime plotted and prepred for an aggressive war of conquest. From that all the other indictments were made possible.

People may judge for themselves whether germany prepred actively for a war of aggression, or whether it was "someone elses" fault.......

How were the germans found guilty of waging an aggressive war?

"Despite the apparent injustice of the aggressive assaults by the German Army in World War II, there was no codified or even customary rule of international law in 1945 that explicitly outlawed a war of aggression. Yet Justice Jackson (chief prosecutor of the American prosecution team) was determined to make "aggression" or "crimes against peace" the dominant allegation of the Nuremberg trials, and the American prosecution team assumed full responsibility for prosecuting the crime. In the aftermath of World War I, there had been a number of initiatives to outlaw wars of aggression, giving Jackson something to work with in legislating a new legal principle in the London Charter. Article 227 of the Versailles Treaty (1919), attempted to establish individual criminal responsibility for Germany's aggression in World War I by requiring the prosecution of the German Kaiser for "a supreme offense against international morality and the sanctity of treaties." The viability of this provision, however, was never put to the test, for the Kaiser enjoyed sanctuary from prosecution in The Netherlands, which refused to surrender him for trial.

The Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928 was sponsored by the United States as manifesting "the outlawry of war" and signed by sixty-five nations, including such World War II aggressor nations as Germany, Italy, and Japan. This agreement expressed the intent to renounce war as a means of settling disputes. Various other pronouncements prior to World War II declared aggression to be an international crime, but no law had yet been written that prohibited a war of aggression. Justice Jackson faced opposition from legal scholars and other allied prosecutors, who challenged his effort to establish a new crime of aggression.

Justice Jackson prevailed with a bold strategic move. He argued that there had been a conspiracy to wage an aggressive war that swept within its reach war crimes and crimes against humanity (the two other major categories of crimes). He went on to assert that the entire indictment of the Nuremberg defendants would be premised on the allegation of this "master plan" that had been implemented through a conspiracy stretching back to 1933, when the Nazi Party came to power in Germany. He noted that war crimes had a relatively solid basis in existing international conventions that already required a connection with warfare. Therefore, he argued, doubts about the legality of any particular charge of aggression or crime against humanity (along with many other kinds of criminal conduct) should be overcome by implicating such crimes within the overall conspiracy to wage aggressive war. The conspiracy theory, in which all participants can be held equally responsible for criminal conduct, was established in Article 6 of the London Charter and underpinned the first count in the Nuremberg indictment:

Leaders, organizers, instigators and accomplices participating in the formulation or execution of a common plan or conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing crimes are responsible for all acts performed by any persons in execution of such plan.

Conspiracy charges were a based on a legal concept that was peculiarly rooted in common law as understood in Britain and the United States. The French, Soviet, and German legal systems had no legal tradition for framing conspiracy charges. They preferred charging defendants for direct participation in specific crimes".

Jacksons arguments won the day, and indeed forms much of the basis of the modern concept of waging illegal or nonsanctioned warfare. The abovementioned bodies of evidence, once admitted into the trial, were to conclusively show that Germany had indeed plotte to wage agreesive war from the very beginning of the Nazi regime. From that successful indictment (directed against the whole nation really) it was then possible to proceed with the trials of the conspirators. Some were acquitted, most were not, but the obvious defence they could have mounted ("oh we were operating under orders!", or, "we didnt pull the trigger!!!" could no longer be used asa valid defence. those men, indeed the whole German nation were guilty of Indictment 1 and indictment 1 meant that individuals could not use detachment as a valid form of defence. if they participated in a crime they were guilty.

Conversely, the Allies and to a lesser extent the Russians could not be indicted for war crimes under the Nuremberg model, because they were not guilty of waging an aggressive war. There are obvious flaws here, such as the Soviet attack on Finland, however I am substantially satisfied that the most guilty were brought to some level of justice using Jacksons legal principal. if nothing else, it meant the trials could be controlled as to their extent and severity....who would face trial and who would not.

duplicate post

".... There are obvious flaws here, such as the Soviet attack on Finland, however I am substantially satisfied that the most guilty were brought to some level of justice using Jacksons legal principal. if nothing else, it meant the trials could be controlled as to their extent and severity....who would face trial and who would not..."

Whose opinion is this, Parsifal? Who is the "I" in "I am substantially satisfied". Your post starts in quotes but never closes them. Clarity, please.

MM

parsifal said:

The preceeding posts are just the listed material used to establish Indictment No1 of the Nuremberg War Crimes trials. The material is extensive and conclusinve. From an early point the Nazi regime plotted and prepred for an aggressive war of conquest. From that all the other indictments were made possible.

People may judge for themselves whether germany prepred actively for a war of aggression, or whether it was "someone elses" fault.......

Click to expand...

This has to be one of the more lunar series of posts.

Consider your post #106 which refers to Germany waging "aggressive war" against "Austria".

In 1919 Austrians had voted overwhelmingly for unification. When the German Army drove into Austria it was to an ecstatic reception by the Austrian population. Hitler had intended to stop just inside the border but the reception was so enthusiastic Reichsmarshall Goering suggested to Hitler "Why don't we keep going". In a supervised plebiscite of 1938 some 99.9% of Austrians then voted for unification.

That voluntary union is supposed to be an aggressive war?

In 1919 Austrians had voted overwhelmingly for unification but were denied this, forced into an isolated rump state, The Sudetenland Germans of Austria forced into a gerrymandered minority status in Czech-Slovakia. Germany and Austria were not allowed to have free trade with each other, they had to be open to imports without tariffs but had tariffs applied against them.

In 1938 Hitler himself headed the armored column that drove into Austria. His reception was extremely ecstatic, the Austrians came out to touch his black Mercedes as if it were a mystical object possessed with redemptive and healing properties. Crowds filled the town square in Linz where Hitler made speech around midnight. The scene was repeated in Vienna.

It's worth considering why this came about. Primary mission of Hitler was the reunification of all Germans in concordance with the very popular pan German movements of the last 100 years. This was his mission in life.

Most of Europe was run by dictators eg Poland and Austria was not different. Hitler had been gently moving to closer relationship with Austria however on 3 March the Austrian Socialist Dictator Schusnschnigg facing internal violence and lack of external support announced a Independence plebiscite with only 3 days notice.

There was one question which required only a yes or no answer. The question was

"Are you in favor of a free and German independent and social, a Christian united Austria"?

If you wanted to vote yes to this mendaciously loaded question you were issued a ballot paper at the voting booth.
If you wanted to vote no you had to obtain a seperate no ballot paper from an government department, then have it stamped by another and take it yourself to the ballot booth.

Chances of a successful no vote obviously low.

One had three days to get organized. Schusnschnigg had disbanded any opposition parties that might organize a boycott.

Hitler (who was elected not appointed) was outraged that Germans might forever be separated by this extremely damaging trick and that it might endanger the Sudetenland Germans.

He warned Schusnschnigg, when Schnusnschnigg failed to respond Hitler raised the stakes and threatened invasion, had him resign and appoint the Pan German Seyss-Inquart who promptly requested German assistance which came in the form of Guadarian and the 8th Army and the SS Libenstandart Division. (Hitler had a hole SS combat division as a personal bodyguard)

Not a shot was fired. The 'invasion' of Austria "opperation Otto" had been planed in one day only. So much for 'planed aggressive war'

Another Mendacity in the "Nuremberg Trial Transcripts" and the posts of several others here is the idea that the Germans precipitated aggressive rearmament.

In fact
1 France and Britain were armed.
2 Germany was disarmed,

3 France, under the Treaty of Versailles was itself required to disarm . However France was clearly not doing this and when she failed to comply one would expect some consequences and so it was only in 1934 in response to Frances failure to disarm that Hitler authorized an additional 300,000 troops taking the Germany Army to a still modest 500,000.

France, with surprising idiocy, threw away perhaps the only good part of her own evil vindictive and unfair Versailles Treaty and only then precipitated German rearmament.

So much for Germany planning a 'aggressive war'.

The integration of the Sudetenland Germans is a similar tale of idiocy. Eduard Benes, faked a planed invasion of his country. The reason was simple: Often delayed Sudetenland German local council elections were taking place and he needed an excuse to interfere in the outcome and to have troops in place in case their were embarrassing demonstrations or popular uprisings. A faked invasion threat gave this hideous man an excuse.

It was this act which turned Hitler from negotiation to swearing to finish the Czechoslovak state. He did this without bloodshed and gave the Slovaks their independence as well while leaving the Czechs independent for a while. Had the Czech simply granted the Suddeten Germans Cantonic Democracy they would have had no issue and Czechoslovakia might still be in existence. So much for Democracy and Negotiation when one side doesn't negotiated or provide democracy.

The Nuremberg Trials are show trials for the most part.

Anyone interested can read Stolfi's "Hitler, Beyond Good and Evil". Possibly the only Hitler Biography which doesn't descend into ramblings about Hitlers unascertainable and mysterious evil but treats him as an rational actor.

finally this thread had turned completely offtopic and political so the moderators should better close. IMO nobody is interested in those overlengthy posts in an aircraft forum.
regards
cimmex

cimmex said:

finally this thread had turned completely offtopic and political so the moderators should better close. IMO nobody is interested in those overlengthy posts in an aircraft forum.
regards
cimmex

Click to expand...

I find them interesting.

Siegfried said:

In 1919 Austrians had voted overwhelmingly for unification. When the German Army drove into Austria it was to an ecstatic reception by the Austrian population.

Click to expand...

No way! I saw Austrian reactions when I saw "The Sound of Music"!

Siegfried said:

Most of Europe was run by dictators eg Poland and Austria was not different. Hitler had been gently moving to closer relationship with Austria however on 3 March the Austrian Socialist Dictator Schusnschnigg facing internal violence and lack of external support announced a Independence plebiscite with only 3 days notice. .

Click to expand...

For those who don't know, Siegfried's propaganda is again at full swing, contrary to his claim Schusnschnigg was a right-winger not a socialist.

The Versailles Treaty may have left Germany with a couple (a lot?) of justifiable grievences but the way the NSDAP governement has acted upon cleary disqualifies any complaint.
I myself find this discussion most interesting.. but not for this thread or this site

I can only repeat what ive already posted. My posts contain all the refernce material used at Nurnberg, and the associated local military tribunals. All documents relied upon are listed. most are still available, with many navailable free and online. If people want to make an informed decision for themselves, they can track down these documents and read them.

I have also provided a good summary byt others that summarises the legal arguments used by the tribunal to find in favour of the first count against the defendants....that Germany was guilty of plotting against peace (from 1933) and waging an aggressive war. My opinions are outside the quoted material, the last three paragraphs of the post dealing with Jacksons submission.

There is nothing more really I can add that could not be seen as mere opinion and propaganda. I have to leave it up to people to make their own minds up. Was germany guilty of plotting for war from the beginning of the Nazi regime? To me, based on the overwhelming body of evidence to support it, the testimonies of the 1946 survivors, and the solid and convincing legal argument put forward to establish the indictement, it is above argument or specualtion....germany was guilty of plotting for aggressive war from 1933.

I think we should try and relate this material back to the the topic. I will try and kick it off

The obvious link is whether germany made adequate provisions for fuel self sufficiency. Well, Germany opted for the large scale hydogenation plants, but from mere prejudice I think, Hitler banned use of organic material, like potatoes, to distill alchohol which could have been used as a fuel additive. I dont know if that ban extended for the whole war, but in 1936 it certainly did. Hitler was apparently concerned that such diversion of food producing potential could have other more serious effects on food supply.

This has to be one of the more lunar series of posts.

Consider your post #106 which refers to Germany waging "aggressive war" against "Austria".

Click to expand...

The posts you are referring to are just bibliographical lists of the material relied upon at Nurnberg . Im not making any comments or observations for most of them.

The findings are those of the tribunals and are summarised at post 109 with a few pargraphs from me only.

The Nuremberg Trials are show trials for the most part.

Click to expand...

Any tribunal dealing with an issue like this is going to be imperfect. No court for any matter is ever perfect. they are devices crafted by human hands, with human frailties and imperfections like anything devised by human beings. But, they were not show trials. They provide us with the most balanced, most complete body of material on which to judge the german leadership. Jacksons arguments with respect to this issue, moreover are not show ponies or shams. They are based on solid leagal precedents that form the basis of modern international warcrimes law. All the member states of the UN have ratified those principals, though many continue to flout them. Thats not the point. The principals laid down at Nurnberg were the basis of the modern body of law. Using the law and judgement of others avoids the problem as much as possible of propagandising and opinionising this issue, which is exactly what you rebuttal appears to be.

If the next post isn't On Topic and devoid of political schmutz, this thread will be closed.