INVASION OF RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1945, Page 5

INVASION OF RUSSIA

GERMAN PLANS REVEALED STARVATION POLICY (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) NUREMBERG, December 10. Active planning for the invasion of Russia was going on four months before the Germans actually attacked, according to documents which Mr Aiderman introduced at the War Crimes trial to-day. The minutes of the conference between Hitler and leading Generals in February, 1941, showed that. Keitel declared: “The Russians are'superior in numbers, we in quality. In estimating personalities, Timoshenko is the only outstanding figure.” A secret German military document said that mobilisation against Russia should be camouflaged as long as possible, and when no longer possible to hide it should be explained as a deceptive diversion from the invasion of England. Another document outlined how apparent' preparations for invasion of England were stepped up as a camouflage for the impending invasion of Russia. “Extensive measures for the diversion and deception of friend and foe were a necessary prerequisite to the success of operations.” The complete time-table for attack against Russia disclosed the Germans withdrew six infantry divisions from the West, leaving a force consisting of 40 infantry divisions, one motorised and one police division, and one armoured brigade facing England. The forces available for Russian operation were 80 infantry, one cavalry, and 17 armoured divisions, 12 motorised infantry, nine lines of communication, two reserve infanty divisions and three air fleets.

Describing the cold, calculated plan to strip Russia of food and other necessities and leave the victims to starve, Mr. Aiderman read Goering’s four-year plan for the Government of Russia which Hitler’s conference approved in February, 1941. The document stated: “The first object is to avoid the destruction of supplies and secure the removal of important goods. The second is administration and exploitation.” BRIBE TO SWEDEN.

Keitel, according to the minutes, told the conference that the projected attack against Gibraltar through Spain was abandoned because German artillery was moving eastward. Hitler considered Sweden would come in against Russia at a price. He proposed giving Sweden the Aland Islands. Hitler told the conference: “When the operation Barbarosa (attack on Russia) begins the world will hold its breath and make no comment.” On May 1 he sent out a directive naming the date as June 22 for the invasion, accompanied by a survey of the relative strength of the Russian and German armies, and the estimated course of the battle: “Presumably there will be violent battles on the frontiers of a duration up to five weeks, whereafter weaker resistance is expectable,” but he added the warning: “A Russian will fight on the appointed spot to the last breath.” Mr. Aiderman said the Germans planned a systematic plunder and were fully aware it would mean starvation for millions. The Nazis translated greed for raw materials into a right. They not only planned war against a neighbour with whom they had pledged their word, but also planned to strip the neighbour of food facilities and all means of livelihood.

The prosecutor gave Hitler’s orders for the Germanisation of Russia. The Western Territories, including White Ruthenia, would become a Reich commissariat to prepare to become a Germanised protectorate. The Ukraine would become an independent State in alliance with Germany, Caucasia would become a Federal State with a German plenipotentiary, and Russia proper must put its own house in order.

Mr Aiderman quoted from _ the document assessing the military situation which could be expected in Russia. “There is no doubt that many MILLIONS WILL STARVE to death if we take out of Russia the things needed.” Rosenberg commented on this subject: “We see no reason or any obligation to feed the Russian peoples with products in captured territory. We know that this is a harsh necessity and bare of any feeling. It is sure that the future will hold very hard years for the Russians.” Repeatedly wetting his lips and locking nervously round the courtroom, Kaltenbrunner, who was discharged from hospital last week after an attack of cranial haemorrhage, entered the dock after the luncheon 'adjournment. He answered: “I do not believe I am guilty,” when Lord Lawrence asked him to enter a plea. Mr Aiderman read excerpts from a German naval diary showing the Russians kept pressing the Germans for plans of the battleship Bismarck and a number of cruisers, but Hitler continually hedged. The German naval attache in Moscow in April reported considerable rumours about the danger of a Russian-German war and added that the British Ambassador predicted war to break out on June 22. PRESSURE ON JAPAN

Dealing with Germany’s machinations to induce Japan to enter the war, Mr Aiderman introduced a series of political documents showing Ribbentrop continually prodding Japan to seize Singapore, emphasising that she never again would have such an opportunity. Ribbentrop in March 1940, told Matsuoka that Japan need not fear Russia because if Russia attacked when Japan was involved in the Pacific Germany would smash Russia immediately. Ribbentrop added that the British Fleet was tied up in the Mediterranean and could not be a powerful force in the Pacific. Matsuoka expressed the fear that the United States might come in if Japan attacked Singapore, but Ribbentrop reassured him, saying that the United States could not do anything in the Pacific once Singapore was taken. Ribbentrop asked Matsuoka to bring maps of Singapore so that Hitler could advise him on the best methods of attack, and promised him all the expert assistance Germany could offer. Raeder in March, 1940, at «a conference of German Chiefs of Staff said that Japan would attack British territory in the Pacific only if Germany was prepared to make a landing on England. Raeder added that Germany must, therefore, concentrate all forces on spurring Japan to act immediately. Keitel on March 4, 1941, issued an instruction “The Fuehrer has ordered that collaboration with Japan will be aimed at inducing Japan to intervene actively in the Far East. Strong British forces will thereby be tied down

and the focus'of United States’ interest will be shifted to the Pacific. Japan’s prospects of success will be better the earlier she intervenes. The Fuehrer does not wish any reference made to the plan barbarossa.” . Mr. Aiderman introduced a telegram from Ribbentrop to the German Ambassador at Tokio dated July 10, urging pressure to induce Japan to attack. It was impossible that Japan should hot solve the matter of Vladivostok with the collapse of Russia. Britain’s collapse, was only a matter of time, said Ribbentrop, and the United States would then be isolated from the rest of the world. Ribbentrop again met Matsuoka on April 5, 1941, and told him GERMANY HAD ALREADY WON the war. The world would realise this by the end of the year. If Japan entered victory would be hastened.. Raeder consulted with the Japanese about naval possibilities in the Pacific, said Mr. Aiderman, Raeder told the Japanese the British Navy had its hands full in home waters and the Mediterranean, it would be unable to send a single ship to the Pacific. United States’ submarines were so bad the Japanese need not bother about them at all. The Japanese navy would be able to manage the American without trouble. Matsuoka told the Nazis he was doing everything to reassure the British about Singapore, and appear friendly towards the British in words and acts. Ribbentrop, in March 1943, complained through the new Ambassador, Oshima, that Japan was behaving defensively, while Germany was warring against Britain and the United States almost alone. Mr. Aiderman quoted a letter- from Hitler’s headquarters dated October 10 1940: “The Fuehrer is at present considering the question of occupation of the Atlantic islands with a view to the prosecution of the war against the United States at a later date.” Goering speaking in July 1938 said: “I am still without a bomber capable of flying to New York with ten tons of explosives and returning. I will be extremely happy to have such bomber. I should then, to some extent be able to stop the mouth of the arrogant people over there.” The Tribunal adjourned. The prosecution of von Papen and Streicher will be taken over by the British prosecutors from the American says the Associated Press correspondent. No special reason is given for the change. The British will now prosecute specific charges against eight Nazi defendants, Ribbentrop, Streicher, Keitel, Jodi, Doenitz, Raeder, von Neurath and von Papen. The British will allege they are guilty of counts one and two of the general indictment, firstly, of war crimes and also crimes against humanity; secondly, of crimes against peace, in that the defendants participated in the (planning, preparation, initiation and also waging wars of aggression in violation of international treaties and agreements and also assurances. JODL’S WIFE ARRESTED. (Rec. 1 p.m.) NUREMBERG, Dec. 10. The American security police arrested Frau Jodi, wife of General Jodi. No reasons were given. Frau Jodi called at the courthouse on December 8 to see her husband. SUICIDE PREPARATIONS. ' ZURICH, December 10. Half a razor blade was found under the badge on the uniform which the S.S. brigade fuehrer, Kurt Meyer, was to have worn to-morrow at his trial as a war criminal. It is believed that he intended to commit suicide with the blade. Meyer is charged with responsibility for the shooting of 48 Canadian prisoners of war at the Caen beachhead. Kurt Meyer pleaded not guilty to inciting troops under his command to take no prisoners during the fighting at Caen beachhead. The prosecution stated that as the result of Meyer’s order, at least forty-one Canadians were shot, while prisoners of war, with no possible justification. NAZI HANGED. (Rec. 11.0 a.m.) LANDSBERG, December 10. A civilian Nazi, Franz Strasser, was hanged for the murder of two American airmen last December. JOYCE’S APPEAL (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10. The diplomats’ box in the House of Lords, to-day, was converted into a temporary dock in which William Joyce again appealed against the sentence of death for high treason. The Lord Chancellor (Lord Jowitt) presided; with him were the Law Lords Macmillan, Wright, Porter and. Simonds. Counsel for Joyce, Mr G. O. Slade, after saying the grounds for appeal were the same as before the Court of Criminal Appeal, quoted numerous cases from the distant past. Joyce listened intently to his counsel’s submissions. The hearing was adjourned. GERMAN ADMINISTRATION (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10. From January 1, 1946, the Germans will take over control of the whole of their own administration system in the United States zone, says the American News Service in Germany. The United States military authorities will retain control only at the highest level, issuing only a general outline of orders to the German provincial governments.