MEETING OF NAVAL STAFF WITH FUEHRER ON 12.12.39 1200 (KEITEL, JODL, PUTTKAMMER)
Norwegian question.
1. C. in C. Navy has received Quisling and Hajelin. Quisling creates the impression of being reliable and states that:—
As a result of the Russo-Finnish conflict, anti-German feeling in Norway is even stronger than hitherto. England's influence is very great—especially through Storthing—President Hambro (Jew, a friend of Hore-Belisha), all-powerful in Norway just now. Quisling is convinced that there is an agreement between England and Norway for the possible occupation of Norway. In which case Sweden would also stand against Germany. Danger of Norway's occupation by England is very great—possibly very shortly. From 11/1/40 onwards the Norwegian Parliament and therefore the Norwegian Government is unconstitutional as Parliament in defiance of the constitution, prolonged its term by a year. This would give an opportunity for a political reshuffle. Quisling has good connections with officers of the Norwegian Army and has supporters in important positions (for example, Railways). In such an event Quisling is ready to take over the Government and to call upon Germany for help. He is also ready to discuss preparations of a military character with the German Armed Forces.
C. in C. Navy points out that with such offers one never knows how far the people concerned are wishing to further the ends of their own party or how much they have German interests at heart. Therefore caution is indicated—Norway must be prevented at all costs from falling into England's hands. That might have a decisive effect on the war; for Sweden would be completely under England's influence and it would bring the war into the Baltic, thus preventing completely the activities of the German Navy in the ocean and the North Sea. The Fuehrer, too, said that a British occupation of Norway would be unbearable. C. in C. Navy pointed out that occupation by Germany of positions on the coast of Norway would naturally produce strong British countermeasures to stop the export of ore from Narvik, and that this would bring about surface warfare off the Norwegian coast, to which the German Navy was not equal for any length of time. This was one weak spot of the occupation.
The Fuehrer thought of speaking to Quisling personally so that he might form an impression of him. He wanted to see Rosenberg once more beforehand, as the latter has known Quisling for a long while. C. in C. Navy suggests that if the Fuehrer forms a
favorable impression, the OKW should obtain permission to make plans with Quisling for the preparation and carrying out of the occupation—
a. By peaceful means, that is, German forces summoned by Norway, or
b. To agree to do so by force (Fuehrer agrees) [ink note]
2. C. in C. Navy advocates that a very clear policy in the Russo-Finnish conflict be maintained. No help to Finland by the supply of arms (which would mean passing through unreliable Sweden).
The C. in C. Armed forces states that the Swedish Foreign Office has been informed that arms would only be sent to Sweden, on guarantee in writing by the government that they were only for the use of the Swedish Armed Forces.
The C. in C. Navy on the other hand is in favor of concessions to Russia, for example, the supply of oil to U-boats, as Russia would also offer us practical help [Vorteile], for example, the holding of foreign steamers in Murmansk until three days after the "Bremen" has sailed.
The Fuehrer has agreed to both points.
RAEDER
Minutes of a meeting of military commanders and Hitler, on the threat of a British occupation of Norway, Quisling's proposals, options for a German occupation, and the Soviet-Finnish conflict
Authors
Erich Raeder (admiral, Navy commander in chief (1935-43))
Erich Raeder
German naval officer and Großadmiral during World War II
- Born: 1876-04-24 (Wandsbek)
- Died: 1960-11-06 (Kiel)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: historian; naval officer
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Participant in: Nuremberg trials (role: defendant)
- Military rank: Großadmiral
- Military branch: German Navy; Imperial German Navy; Kriegsmarine
Date: 12 December 1939
Literal Title: Meeting of Naval Staff with Fuehrer on 12. 12. 39. 1200. (Keitel, Jodl, Ruttkammer) Norwegian question.
Defendants: Alfred Jodl, Wilhelm Keitel, Erich Raeder, Alfred Rosenberg
Total Pages: 2
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: C-64
Citation: IMT (page 1076)
HLSL Item No.: 450839
Notes:In the literal title, Ruttkammer is a typo for Puttkammer.
Document Summary
C-64: Photostatic copy of report of Naval Staff meeting with Hitler 12 December 1939 attended by Keitel, Jodel and Raeder, concerning invasion of Norway, signed by Raeder