Extracts from Admiral Assman's Headline Diary
23.2.40. [Sheet 93]
R Baltic: Alteration of the 20° line of demarcation E towards Russia desired. North Sea: favorable U.K situation for battleship thrusts; loss of two deL stroyers probably through our own planes—U-USA boat successes are on the increase; attacks on passenger ships; aerial mine attacks on the English East Coast (footnote: difference of opinion
1016
D—881
[Sheet 96] between the C. in C. Navy and C. in C. Air Force regarding time of action; resolved by the Fuehrer in favor of the C. in C. Air Force (putting off the action) (War Dairy A, Vol. 6, sheet 205).). Fuehrer rejects employment of U-boats off Halifax, owing to psychological effect on the U.S.A. (cf. appendix, sheet pp), as well as the employment of U-boats in the Mediterranean without the previous consent of the Duce (but see sheet 107u) C. in C. Navy considers that both refusals represent a considerable limitation of U-boat warfare. N Fuehrer's question regarding the maintenance of R ore imports from Narvik after the occupation of Norway is answered by the C. in C. Navy to the effect that Nomuay's neutrality is most favorable for ore imports. On the other hand, if England occupied Norway, we would probably lose the whole of Swedish ore imports,—There follow details for carrying out the occupation of Norway by Germany. Purchase of Esthonian U-boats only possible via Russian mediation—German-Russian treaty (38 cm. and, 28 cm. towers).
[Sheet 99] A Appendix: considerations re employment of U-USA boats off Halifax.
[Sheet 102] N C. in C. Navy reports on "Weser-Ubung" believes
26.3.40 R it will succeed if surprise is ensured, although the enterprise breaks all the laws of naval warfare as taught. The hardest part is the way back, for which all modern naval forces mutt be concentrated: C. in C. Navy recommends that, when Norway is occupied, the Russians should be told, as a concession, that we are not occupying Tromso. The Fuehrer considers that we must occupy Tromso too.
[Sheet 105] N The occupation of Norway by the British was imminent when the peace was concluded between
* Russia and Finland. Fuehrer's question as. to whether a British landing in Norway was acute at the moment is answered in the negative by the C. in C. Navy. The C. in C. Navy suggests an action by us for the next new moon (7 April). Fuehrer agrees. '
744400—47—66
1017
26.3.40
[Sheet 107] L Aerial mine warfare: (7. in G. Navy demands immediate commencement; difference of opinion with C. in C. Air Force who does not consider the stock of mines sufficient yet (cf. appendix, sheet 109). Fuehrer agrees.
[Sheet 109] Appendix: Use of aerial mines.
Extracts from war diary, on Hitler's restrictions on U-boat actions near the US and in the Mediterranean, plans for the occupation of Denmark and Norway
Authors
Assmann (admiral, naval historian)
Kurt Assmann
German admiral (1883-1962)
- Born: 1883-07-13 (Naumburg (Saale))
- Died: 1962-07-26
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: author; military historian
- Military rank: Admiral
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/20119247
- ISNI: https://isni.org/isni/0000000082048315
- WorldCat Identities ID: https://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no2010008621
Date: 23 February 1940
Literal Title: Extracts from Admiral Assmann's Headline Diary.
Defendant: Erich Raeder
Total Pages: 1
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: D-881
HLSL Item No.: 453056