dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
a half this program had been carried through to the satisfaction of the Nazi leaders. Of all the Nazi conspirators perhaps Goering was the most aware of the economic and strategic advantages which would accrue from the possession of Czechoslovakia. The Top Secret minutes of a conference with Goering in the Air Ministry, held on 14 October 1938 just two weeks after the occupation of the Sudetenland reports a discussion of economic problems. At this date Goering's remarks were somewhat prophetic: "The Sudetenland has to be exploited with all the means. General field Marshal Goering counts upon a complete industrial assimilation of the Slovakia. Czechia and Slovakia would become German dominions. Everything possible must be taken out. The Oder-Danube Canal has to be speeded up. Searches for oil and ore have to be conducted in Slovakia, notably by State Secretary Keppler." (1301-PS, Item 10) In the summer of 1939, after the incorporation of Bohemia and Moravia into the Reich, Goering again revealed the great interest of the Nazi leaders in the Czechoslovak economic potential. The minutes dated Berlin, 27 July 1939, and signed Mueller, of a conference two days earlier between Goering and a group of officials from the OKW and from other agencies of the German government concerned with war production, read as follows: "1. In a rather long statement the Field Marshal explained that the incorporation of Bohemia and Moravia into the German economy had taken place, among other reasons, to increase the German war potential by exploitation of the industry there. Letters, such as the decree of the Reich Minister for Economics S 10 402/39 of 10 July 39 as well as a letter with similar meaning to the JUNKERS firm, which might possibly lower the kind and extent of the armament measures in the Protectorate, are contrary to this principle. If it is necessary to issue such directives, this should be done only with his consent. In any case, he insists, in agreement with the directive by Hitler, that the war potential of the Protectorate is definitely to be exploited in part or in full and is to be directed towards mobilization as soon as possible. * * *" (R-133) In addition to strengthening the Nazi economic
he insists, in agreement with the directive by Hitler, that the war potential of the Protectorate is definitely to be exploited in part or in full and is to be directed towards mobilization as soon as possible. * * *" (R-133) In addition to strengthening the Nazi economic potential for war, the conquest of Czechoslovakia provided the Nazis with new bases from which to wage their next war of aggression, the attack on Poland. It will be recalled that the minutes of the conference between Goering and a pro-Nazi Slovak delegation in the winter of 1938-39 state Goering's conclusions as follows: "Air bases in Slovakia are of great importance for the German Air Force for use against the East." (2801-PS) In a conference between Goering, Mussolini, and Ciano on 15 April 1939, one month after the conquest of Czechoslovakia, Goering told his junior partners in the Axis of the progress of German preparations for war. He compared the strength of Germany with the strength of England and France. He mentioned the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in these words: "However, the heavy armament of Czechoslovakia shows, in any case, how dangerous this country could have been, even after Munich, in the event of a serious conflict. Because of Germany's action the situation of both Axis countries was ameliorated, among other reasons because of the economic possibilities which result from the transfer to Germany of the great production capacity (armament potential) of Czechoslovakia. That contributes toward a considerable strengthening of the axis against the Western powers. Furthermore, Germany now need not keep ready a single division for protection against that country in case of a bigger conflict. This, too, is an advantage by which both axis countries will, in the last analysis, benefit." "* * * the action taken by Germany in Czechoslovakia is to be viewed as an advantage for the axis in case Poland should finally join the enemies of the axis powers. Germany could then attack this country from 2 flanks and would be within only 25 minutes flying distance from the new polish industrial center which had been moved further into the interior of the country, nearer to the other Polish industrial districts, because of its proximity to the border. Now by the
enemies of the axis powers. Germany could then attack this country from 2 flanks and would be within only 25 minutes flying distance from the new polish industrial center which had been moved further into the interior of the country, nearer to the other Polish industrial districts, because of its proximity to the border. Now by the turn of events it is located again in the proximity of the border." (1874-PS) The absorption of the Sudetenland, effected on 1 October 1938, in practical effect destroyed Czechoslovakia as a military power. The final conquest of Czechoslovakia came on 15 March 1939. This conquest had been the intention and aim of the Nazi leaders during the preparations for Case Green in the summer of 1938, and had been forestalled only by the Munich agreement. With Czechoslovakia, less than six months after the Munich agreement, securely in German hands, the Nazi conspirators had achieved their objective. Bohemia and Moravia were incorporated into the Reich, shortening German frontiers and adding the Czech manufacturing plant to the German war potential. The puppet state of Slovakia, conceived in Berlin and independent only in name, had been set up to the east of Moravia. In this state, which outflanked Poland to the south, the Nazi army, under the terms of the treaty drafted by Ribbentrop. took upon itself the establishment of bases and extensive military installations. From this state in September 1939 units of the German Army did, in fact, carry out the attack on Poland. Logic and premeditation are patent in each step of the German aggression. Each conquest of the Nazi conspirators was deliberately planned as a stepping stone to new and more ambitious aggression. The words of Hitler in the conference in the Reichs Chancellery on 23 May 1939, when he was planning the Polish campaign, are significant, "The period which lies behind us has indeed been put to good use. All measures have been taken in the correct sequence and in harmony with our aims." (L-79) It is appropriate to refer to two other speeches of the Nazi leaders. In his lecture at Munich on 7 November 1943 Jodl spoke as follows: "The bloodless solution of the Czech conflict in the autumn of 1938 and spring of 1939 and the annexation of Slovakia rounded off the territory of Greater
It is appropriate to refer to two other speeches of the Nazi leaders. In his lecture at Munich on 7 November 1943 Jodl spoke as follows: "The bloodless solution of the Czech conflict in the autumn of 1938 and spring of 1939 and the annexation of Slovakia rounded off the territory of Greater Germany in such a way that it now became possible to consider the Polish problem on the basis of more or less favourable strategic premises." (L-172) In the speech to his military commanders on 23 November 1939, Hitler described the process by which he had rebuilt the military power of the Reich: "The next step was Bohemia, Moravia and Poland. This step also was not possible to accomplish in one campaign. First of all, the western fortifications had to be finished. It was not possible to reach the goal in one effort. It was clear to me from the first moment that I could not be satisfied with the Sudeten-German territory. That was only a partial solution. The decision to march into Bohemia was made. Then followed the erection of the Protectorate and with that the basis for the action against Poland was laid." (789-PS) LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE EXECUTION OF THE PLAN TO INVADE CZECHOSLOVAKIA Document Description Vol. Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 (a)....... I 5 International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV (F) 3 (a, c); V....... I 22,29 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. *375-PS Case Green with wider implications, report of Intelligence Division, Luftwaffe General Staff, 25 August 1938. (USA 84).......... III 280 *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)..... III 295 *388-PS File of papers
report of Intelligence Division, Luftwaffe General Staff, 25 August 1938. (USA 84).......... III 280 *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)..... III 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)............ III 305 *789-PS Speech of the Fuehrer at a conference, 23 November 1939, to which all Supreme Commanders were ordered. (USA 23)......... III 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)....... III 656 *1301-PS File relating to armament including minutes of conference with Goering at the Air Ministry, 14 October 1938, concerning acceleration of rearmament. (USA 123)....... III 868 *1439-PS Treaty of Protection between Slovakia and the Reich, signed in Vienna 18 March 1939. 1939 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 606. (GB 135)...... IV 18 *1536-PS Report of Luftwaffe General Staff, Intelligence Division, 12 August 1938, on reconnaissance by German Air Attaché at Prague for airfields in Czechoslovakia, enclosing report of the Air Attaché, Major Moericke, 4 August 1938. (USA 83)...... IV 96 *1780-PS Excerpts from diary kept by General Jodl, January 1937 to August 1939. (USA 72)......... IV 360 *1874-PS Notes on conference between Goering, Mussolini and Ciano, 15 April 1939. (USA 125)........ IV 518 2358-PS Speech by Hitler in Sportspalast, Berlin, 26 September 1938, from Voelkischer Beobachter, Munich Edition, 27 September 1938...... IV 1100 *2360-PS Speech by Hitler before Reichstag, 30 January 1939, from Voelkischer Beobachter, Munich Edition, 31 January 1939. (GB 134)........ IV 1101 *2786-PS Letter from Ribbentrop to Keitel, 4 March 1938. (USA 81)......... V 419 *2788-PS Notes of conference in the Foreign Office between Ribbentrop, Konrad Heinlein, K. H. Frank and others on program for Sudeten agitation, 29 March 1938. (USA 95)....... V 422 *2789-PS Letter from Konrad Heinlein to
IV 1101 *2786-PS Letter from Ribbentrop to Keitel, 4 March 1938. (USA 81)......... V 419 *2788-PS Notes of conference in the Foreign Office between Ribbentrop, Konrad Heinlein, K. H. Frank and others on program for Sudeten agitation, 29 March 1938. (USA 95)....... V 422 *2789-PS Letter from Konrad Heinlein to Ribbentrop, 17 March 1938. (USA 94).......... V 424 *2790-PS German Foreign Office minutes of conference between Hitler, Ribbentrop, Tuca and Karmasin, 12 February 1939. (USA 110)....... V 425 *2791-PS German Foreign Office minutes of conversation between Ribbentrop and Attolico, the Italian Ambassador, 23 August 1938. (USA 86)..... V 426 *2792-PS German Foreign Office minutes of conversations between Ribbentrop and Attolico, 27 August 1938 and 2 September 1938. (USA 87)........ V 426 *2793-PS Confidential protocol concerning economic and financial collaboration between the German Reich and State of Slovakia. (USA 120)......... V 427 *2794-PS German Foreign Office memorandum on payments to Karmasin, 29 November 1939. (USA 108).............. V 429 *2795-PS Handwritten postscript by Ribbentrop to German Foreign Office notes of Ribbentrop-Chvalkovsky conversation, 21 January 1939. (USA 106)....... V 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)....... V 430 *2797-PS German Foreign Office memorandum of conversation between Ribbentrop and von Kanya, 25 August 1938. (USA 89).......... V 432 *2798-PS German Foreign Office minutes of the meeting between Hitler and President Hacha of Czechoslovakia, 15 March 1939. (USA 118; GB 5) .............. V 433 *2800-PS German Foreign Office notes of a conversation with Attolico, the Italian Ambassador, 18 July 1938. (USA 85) ........... v 442 *2801-ps Minutes of conversation between Goering and Slovak Minister Durkansky (probably late fall or early winter 1938-39). (USA 109) ........ v 442 *2802-PS German Foreign Office notes of conference on 13 March 1939 between Hitler and Monsignor Tiso, prime Minister of Slovakia. (USA 117)........ V 443 *2815-PS Telegram from Ribbentrop to the German Minister in Prague, 13 March 1939. (USA 116).......... V 451 *2816-PS Letter from Horthy, the
........ v 442 *2802-PS German Foreign Office notes of conference on 13 March 1939 between Hitler and Monsignor Tiso, prime Minister of Slovakia. (USA 117)........ V 443 *2815-PS Telegram from Ribbentrop to the German Minister in Prague, 13 March 1939. (USA 116).......... V 451 *2816-PS Letter from Horthy, the Hungarian Regent, to Hitler, dated Budapest, 13 March 1939. (USA 115)....... V 451 *2826-PS The SS on March 15, 1939, an article by SS-Gruppenfuehrer K. H. Frank, in magazine Bohemia and Moravia, May 1941, p. 179. (USA 111)........ V 472 *2853-PS Telegram from German foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 24 September 1938. (USA 100)........ V 521 *2854-PS Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 17 September 1938. (USA 99)......... V 521 *2855-PS Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 16 September 1938. (USA 98)......... V 522 *2856-PS Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 24 September 1938. (USA 101)...... V 522 *2858-PS Telegram from German Foreign Office to German Legation in Prague, 19 September 1938. (USA 97)....... V 523 *2859-PS Telegram from German Legation, Prague, to Consulate at Bratislava, 22 November 1938. (USA 107)...... V 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)....... V 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)....... V 524 *2862-PS Document No. 126 in Peace and War. Statement by Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles, 17 March 1939. (USA 122)....... V 525 **2863-PS Lecture by Konrad Heinlein, 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)...... V 525 2906-PS German Foreign Office minutes of meeting between Hitler and Chvalkovsky, the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister, 21 January 1939........ V 571 *2943-PS Documents Numbers 55, 57, 62, 65, 66, 73, 77 and 79 in the French Yellow Book. Excerpts from eight dispatches from M. Coulondre,
in evidence.) (USA 92)...... V 525 2906-PS German Foreign Office minutes of meeting between Hitler and Chvalkovsky, the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister, 21 January 1939........ V 571 *2943-PS Documents Numbers 55, 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 and 18 March 1939. (USA 114)...... V 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.)........ V 738 3030-PS Affidavit of Alfred Naujocks, 20 November 1945, on relationship between the SD and pro-Nazi Slovak groups in March 1939........... V 739 **3036-PS Affidavit of Gottlob Berger in the composition and activity of the Heinlein Free Corps in September 1938. (Objection to admission in evidence upheld.) (USA 102)...... V 742 3037-PS Affidavit of Fritz Wiedemann, 21 November 1945, on the meeting between Hitler and his principal advisers in Reichs Chancellery on 28 May 1938......... V 743 *3054-PS "The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167)......... V 801 *3059-PS German Foreign Office memorandum, 19 August 1938, on payments to Heinleins Sudeten German Party between 1935 and 1938. (USA 96)........ V 855 *3060-PS Dispatch from German Minister in Prague to Foreign Office in Berlin about policy arrangements with Heinlein, 16 March 1938. (USA 93)...... V 856 *3061-PS Supplement No. 2 to the Official Czechoslovak Report entitled "German Crimes Against Czechoslovakia" (document 998-PS). (USA 126)...... V 857 3571-PS Report of U. S. Military Attaché, Berlin, including an article in magazine Wehrmacht, 29 March 1939, describing occupation of Bohemia and Moravia by German troops....... VI 264 3618-PS Report of U. S. Military Attaché in Berlin, 20 March 1939, concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia........ VI 389 3619-PS Report of U. S. Military Attaché in Berlin, 19 April 1939, concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia........ VI 398 3638-PS Memorandum of Ribbentrop, 1 October 1938, concerning his conversation with Ciano about the Polish demands made on
Berlin, 20 March 1939, concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia........ VI 389 3619-PS Report of U. S. Military Attaché in Berlin, 19 April 1939, concerning occupation of Czechoslovakia........ VI 398 3638-PS Memorandum of Ribbentrop, 1 October 1938, concerning his conversation with Ciano about the Polish demands made on Czechoslovakia....... VI 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)....... VI 778 *C-2 Examples of violations of International Law and proposed counter propaganda, issued by OKW, 1 October 1938. (USA 90)........ VI 799 *C-136 OKW Order on preparations for war, 21 October 1938, signed by Hitler and initialed by Keitel. (USA 104)........ VI 947 *C-138 Supplement of 17 December 1938, signed by Keitel, to 21 October Order of the OKW. (USA 105).......... VI 950 *C-175 OKW Directive for Unified Preparation for War 1937-1938, with covering letter from von Blomberg, 24 June 1937. (USA 69)........... VI 1006 *D-571 Official report of British Minister in Prague to Viscount Halifax, 21 March 1939. (USA 112)....... VII 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)........ VII 90 *L-79 Minutes of conference, 23 May 1939, "Indoctrination on the political situation and future aims". (USA 27)...... VII 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)....... VII 920 *R-100 Minutes of instructions given by Hitler to General von Brauchitsch on 25 March 1939. (USA 121)........ VIII 83 *R-133 Notes on conference with Goering in Westerland on 25 July 1939, signed Mueller, dated Berlin 27 July 1939. (USA 124)....... VIII 202 *R-150 Extracts from Luftwaffe Group Command Three Study on Instruction for Deployment and Combat "Case Red", 2 June 1938. (USA 82)...... VIII 268 *TC-14 Arbitration Treaty between Germany and Czechoslovakia, signed at Locarno, 16 October 1925. (GB 14)......... VIII 325 *TC-23 Agreement between Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, 29 September 1938. (GB 23)......... VIII 370 *TC-27
Instruction for Deployment and Combat "Case Red", 2 June 1938. (USA 82)...... VIII 268 *TC-14 Arbitration Treaty between Germany and Czechoslovakia, signed at Locarno, 16 October 1925. (GB 14)......... VIII 325 *TC-23 Agreement between Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, 29 September 1938. (GB 23)......... VIII 370 *TC-27 German assurances to Czechoslovakia, 11 and 12 March 1938, as reported by M. Masaryk, the Czechoslovak Minister to London to Viscount Halifax. (GB 21)....... VIII 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. 498-499. (GB 6)........ VIII 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)....... VIII 402 *TC-51 Decree establishing the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, 16 March 1939. (GB 8)......... VIII 404 *TC-52 Formal British protest against the annexation of Czechoslovakia in violation of the Munich Agreement, 17 March 1939. (GB 9)....... VIII 407 *TC-53 Formal French protest against the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia in violation of the Munich Agreement, 17 March 1939. (GB 10)...... VIII 407 Affidavit H Affidavit of Franz Halder, 22 November 1945........... VIII 643 **Chart No. 11 Aggressive Action 1938-39. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)....... VIII 780 **Chart No. 12 German Aggression. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)......... VIII 781 **Chart No. 13 Violations of Treaties, Agreements and Assurances. (Enlargement displayed to Tribunal.)....... VIII 782 5. OPENING ADDRESS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM The following address, opening the British presentation of the case under Count II of the Indictment, was delivered by Sir Hartley Shawcross, K.C., M.P., British Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor for the United Kingdom, before the Tribunal on 4 December 1945. PART I On an occasion to which reference has already been made Hitler, the Leader of the Nazi Conspirators who are now on trial before you, said in reference to their warlike plans: "I shall give a propagandist cause for starting the war, never mind whether it be true or not. The