[Raeder's initials in green pencil].
[Red pencil noteāTo be submitted to the C-in-C of the Navy] The War Minister and C-in-C of the Armed Forces
Berlin W35, 2.3.36.
. Tirpitzufer 72-76
Telephone: B1
W A No. 380/36 Most Secret L I Kurfuerst 8191
S.O. only
Written by an officer
To: .
The C-in-C of the Army The C-in-C of the Navy The Air Minister and C-in-C of the Air Force Supreme Command of the Navy Reg. No. AI Op 14/36
1. The Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor has made the following
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decision: By reason of the Franco-Russian alliance, the obligations accepted by Germany in the Locarno Treaty, as far as they apply to articles 42 and 43 of the Treaty of Versailles which refer to the demilitarized zone, are to be regarded as obsolete.
2. Sections of the Army and Air Force will therefore be transferred simultaneously in a surprise move to garrisons of the demilitarized zone. In this connection I issue the following orders:
3. a. Re-forming his divisional staffs, the C-in-C of the Army is to move forward sections consisting mainly of the VI, IX and V Army Corps into the demilitarized zone in such a way that they will be transferred to permanent garrisons on the Rhine and east of it. Apart from that, one Infantry Batallion shall be transferred to Aachen, one to Trier and one to Saarbruecken. The . Regional Police Inspectors West, South West, and South will come entirely under the orders of the C-in-C of the Army for the purpose of incorporating them into the army,
b. The Reich Air Minister and C-in-C of the Air Force will transfer one fighter squadron each to the area around Cologne and Coblenz, and sections of the AAA into or near such towns on the Lower and Middle Rhine where the most important Rhine bridges are.
4. The movements are to be prepared and syncronized in such a way by the C-in-C of the Army and the C-in-C of the Air Force that the first Staffel, including the battalions assigned to Aachen, Trier and Saarbruecken, and the AAA guns arrive in the Rhine Valley at 1200 hours on Z-day and the first fighter squadron land at the same time.
A second Staffel, comprising all the remaining sections of the Army assigned to the demilitarized zone will follow within 24 hours. Orders for Z-day will be given at the appropriate time.
5. Marching orders for the troops which are to be transferred, are to be given as late as possible. Every precaution must be taken to shorten the period between the commencement of practical preparations for the actual move and the entry into the demilitarized zone.
The C-in-C of the Army will see to it that the responsible departments of the general and interior administration, of the Police Force, of the municipalities, and of the Party are not informed before 0800 hours on Z-Day about the billeting of Army and Air Force men in their area.
6. To preserve the peaceful character of the operation, military security or advance measures are not to be taken without my express orders.
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On Z-Day, from 0800 hours until further notice, however it must be ensured that the command posts of the three services can commence work day and night at short notice. Persons on leave are not to be recalled.
7. If the other powers who have signed the Locarno Treaty reply to the transfer of German troops into the demilitarized zone with military preparations, I reserve the right to decide on any military counter-measures.
In the event of enemy frontier violations with offensive intent, action must be taken in accordance with instructions for taking up position and battle orders. .
8. I request: a. timely information on instructions given in accordance with 3a and 3b.
b. to be informed continuously on the progress of the transfer of garrisons, starting on Z-Day at 1300 hours (W A. Abteilung L). Counter espionage is being given special instructions.
c. That suggestions be made to me as soon as possible, as to what advance measures should be put into operation during the first critical stages, in case military preparations by neighbouring states become evident.
signed Blomberg.
Instructions to the commanders of the army, navy, and air force, on Hitler's decision for the occupation of the demilitarized zone (Rhinelend) by units of the army and air force
Authors
Werner Blomberg, von (Minister of Defense)
Werner von Blomberg
German field marshal (1878-1946)
- Born: 1878-09-02 (Stargard)
- Died: 1946-03-14 (Nuremberg)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: military officer; military personnel; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party (series ordinal: 3.805.226; since: 1937-01-30)
- Military rank: general field marshal
- Military branch: German Army
- Position held: minister of war
Date: 02 March 1936
Defendants: Hermann Wilhelm Goering, Erich Raeder
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-159
Citations: IMT (page 460), IMT (page 2131)
HLSL Item No.: 450595