Chapter 4 : New Year, new concerns
ReichsWirtschaftsMinisterium (Ministery of Economics), Berlin - 1937, January the 3rd - 0830
Meeting between Hjalmar Schacht, Ministry of economics, and his Secretary of State Hans Posse.
- "Guten Morgen, Herr Reichsminister... und btw, happy New Year !
- Ebenfalls, mein lieber Posse. I'm afraid we're going to have a lot of work this year too. So far I know, things are going from bad to worse.
- Ach, Kommen Sie, Herr Reichsminister ! You've done a terrific job ; there's no reasons you can't keep going. Thanks to your wise investments in our industry, Germany is more productive than ever. You've brought us to a financial balance and we're even making money ! On the top of that, you signed some decisive trade agreements so that we're no longer threatened by a penury of any kind. Steel, raw materials, oil : every indicators are in the green zone. What do you want more ?
- You perfectly know what's going on, mein lieber Posse. This kind of war-like economy can only be short-termed. We're running a great inflationnist risk and in a near future, either we'll clash against the wall of economic reality or we're going to need a war. Besides, all indicators might be ok but our stockpiles, either supply or fuel, are still quite low. Should a war ever started now, Germany would be in a very difficult situation.
- Is there any possibility to change that, Herr Reichsminister ?
- Unfortunatly no, mein lieber Posse. We have improved our refining capabilities but its not enough. I've urged our scientists to focus their researchs on those 2 points, supply production and refining, but no results are to be expected before at least another year...
- Still, our production is giving satisfaction, isn't it ?
- For some parts, yes. Our industrial capability has been strongly increased and besides
Köln which has been planned to be real huge, the construction works on all 7 other airbases will be completed this year. Same goes for the submarine base in
Bremerhaven as well as for the new infrastrutures in Mecklenburg and East-Prussia. The Navy will have the opportunity to start the building of its coastal defences sooner as expected, after all...
- Is Admiral Raeder still mad at you since we delayed the construction of some major naval units ?
- More than ever, mein lieber Posse. It's getting even worse since he has been told that submarine and transport ships construction has been prioritized... He needs steel but he isn't alone. Everybody need steel and you know what ? There isn't enough for everyone. The equation is as simple as that !
- I've seen Udet, the responsable for airplane production for the Luftwaffe, the other day. He seemed to be happy.
- As well as Reichsmarschall Göring. That's the good point. Fighters and bombers production is ahead from schedule but not the transport planes. Staatssekretär Milch knows it and HE isn't happy at all !!! He also knows about the hundreds of old airplanes (he-51, ju-86) which should be replaced but won't... at least not now.
- Herr Reichsminister, I wouldn't be in your shoes...
- The worse is still to come... with the Army. Not only they are far beyong schedule but to make matter worse, Himmler successfully diverted war equipment for his SS... with the blessing of our Führer. Guess whom the Army will blame for that ?
Ach, Posse, I really need to go on vacation..."
Reichskanzlei, Berlin - 1937, January the 11th - 1100
The Führer meets Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath and Admiral Canaris, Abwehr Chef (Head of Intelligence)
- "Meine Herren : the past year has seen a great success of our politic. Germany got its pride back again and we've shown the world we're now a country which commands respect. It's now time to move on and to get the benefits of this new international situation. But before we talk about that, Admiral Canaris, I would like to hear your evaluation of the situation in Spain.
- Well... Mein Führer, it's quite obvious that our intervention on Franco's side has been a decisive factor. As you can see on the map, the Nationalists are on the move all over the front.
Situation in Spain - 1937, January the 3rd
In the north, progress are slow. For the Republicans, this area is vital since most of the international help they receive come either through the french border or from the port of Barcelona.
In the center, the Nationalists are pushing toward Valencia. Despite fierce resistance, the Republicans are slowly giving ground.
In the south, the Republicans are collapsing. After failing so close from their objective, Sevilla, it seems obvious they're now both exhausted and demoralized. The Nationalists launched an all-out counter-offensive and Malaga will fall very soon.
Our spies Network are now functionning pretty well over there and, according to the intelligence reports of our agents, it's now just a matter of time until the Nationalists win. Soviet help or not, the Republicans are doomed. The same evaluation has been made by GeneralOberst von Blomberg.
- Thanks a lot for this briefing, Admiral. But keep me informed of the situation through regular updates !
- Zu Befehl, mein Führer.
- Herr von Neurath, what is the reaction of the other countries ?
- From none to formal or moderate protests, mein Führer. Nothing very serious. For the public opinion in most countries, the war in Spain is a "spanish struggle" or they pretend it is... Sometimes, it's more convenient to watch "somewhere else".
- And what about China ? You've renewed our cooperation agreement ?
- Yes, mein Führer. I sincerely think it's a good thing for both our countries and we should continue our cooperation as long as we can.
- Well... so far I know, there are rumors of agitation in the Far East. I'm afraid it's just a matter of time until war breaks out between Japan and China. We must get prepared to this eventuality.
The other point is Austria : It came to my hears that the austrian gouvernment put pressure on the local NSDAP. I'm fully confident of the fighting spirit of our comrades across the border but I doubt of their organization. Admiral Canaris, I'm hereby ordering you to send more agents in Austria, first by helping restructuring the Party sections and second by showing them our full support.
In the same time, Herr von Neurath, I want you to warn the Austrian gouvernment that any further threat or pressure over NSDAP members will be seen by Germany as a very unfriendly act. Wrap that in the required usual diplomatic bla-bla-bla...
- Have you anything specific in mind, mein Führer ?
- Not yet, mein lieber von Neurath, but who knows..."
Artillery Training Grounds Königsbrück (Bautzen) - 1937, February the 12th - 0830
Oberst Walter Dornberger, CO, meets Dr Wernher von Braun, technical director.
- "Dr von Braun, it's time to pack our bags : we're moving out in April.
- Where ?
-
Wolgast, on the Baltic Coast. More precisely, Peenemünde on the island of Usedom. Do you remember the site you've picked up last year ? Well, the Army bought it and now, our new research center is ready to welcome us. There's still a lot of work on the installations over there, nevertheless, we can start working. We're going to have much more space to make our rocket-tests. I'm fully confident we're going to succeed.
Peenemünde Research Center
- Well, Herr Oberst, it's true we are on the right way. Our research on rocket engines will be completed this year but that won't be enough. There's still a lot of fundamental researchs to do, ballistic, electronic, guidance systems, fuel, etc, etc... before we could speak of success. It's a long way to go ! Besides, there's still no consensus on the path we should follow either the ballistic missile or the unmanned airplane.
- Right now, it's not that important. I know that you would concentrate on ballistic missiles as guys like Dr. Fritz Gosslau would rather work on unmanned airplanes. As we get financing from both the Army and the Luftwaffe, we can orientate our work in the 2 directions and see what's the best."
ReichsFührung der SS, Berlin - 1937, March, the 6th - 1500
Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler meets Gottlob Berger, his Chief of Staff, and Reinhard Heydrich, Chief of Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA).
- "Berger ! I've just met Theodor Eicke. He keeps going with his idea to regroup some Totenkopf regiments into one division. I think its a great idea as the SS has to expand but I would like to know how it would be possible to realize.
- Herr Reichsführer, I fully support you on that point but it will be a harsh fight... against the Army ! You know how strongly opposed they are to the creation of armed SS-units and they'll do everything they can to impede our progress. Each man enlisted in the SS, each weapon, each vehicle we possess is one less for the Army.
- I didn't get the impression that the
Leibstandarte or the other VT units had some problems...
- Herr Reichsführer. The
Leibstandarte is the personnal guard of our Führer and its commander, Sepp
Diettrich, is a close friend of him. I don't see anyone sane doing something against it ! And the VT units,
Germania und
Deutschland, are led by Paul
Hausser, who is not only a very capable officer but a former Generalleutnant (Army Corps Commander) of the Reichswehr. Numerous high-ranking officers of the Wehrmacht see him as "one of them" : they do respect him and his judgement. Despite this,
Hausser has a hard time to get what he needs... Artillery for instance. Theodor
Eicke hasn't the same reputation. Even if we can create his division, we're going to experiment a lot of difficulties to provide equipment...
- Well... Theodor
Eicke might not be "one of them"... but he's one of us ! What they consider a foul temper is for me a great skill. I have faith in him.
Give him a "Go" to form his division : I'll have to think about a name. Mhmmm... What about
"Totenkopf"...?
Und jetzt zu uns, StandartenFührer Heydrich. I've read your last report about foreign spy cells on our soil which you've identified. A very good job ! However, it shows that we have numerous foes abroad and we must stay alert. Frick might still be Minister of the Interior, he's now out of all internal security affairs and Göring is off-play since I took over the Gestapo. Now that we have control all police forces, we must strike without mercy against the enemy of the State.
- I fully agree, Herr Reichsführer, but it isn't as simple as that. Goebbels has diverted some parts of the budget to increase the Party organization and its popularity among the population and the Abwehr of Admiral Canaris managed to do the same to increase the number and the efficiency of his agents abroad. So far I know, the Führer himself gave the orders and...
- Ach, Sauerei !!! Goebbels, Göring...!!! Those intriguers !!! Anyway, do your best, Standartenführer, I'll take care of them..."
OKW Hauptquartier, Berlin-Wünsdorf - 1937, March the 15th - 1100
Meeting between General Werner von Fritsch, Chief of the Army, und General Ludwig Beck, Chief of the General Staff.
- "They did it again, Beck !!! Those bast.... did it again !!!
- I beg your pardon, Herr general ? Who did what again ?
-
Himmler and his SS-clique ! They're forming an other division ! Without asking us !!! I've already told
von Blomberg it was going to happen. And see, now it is !!! First, war equipment was diverted for the
Leibstandarte ; then,
Hausser pointed out that he really needed trucks and artillery for his VT units. As if we didn't have enough difficulties already...!!! What's the situation with OUR motorized units, General Beck ?
- Hummm... Well...
1. and
2. Panzer-divisionen have received their motorized artillery regiments and the
3rd PzD will soon get it. From our planned motorized infantry divisions, only the
13. ID (mot.) received enough trucks and material to equip 2 regiments.
- That's all ?
- Unfortunatly yes, Herr General. All the trucks and motorized anti-tank or artillery equipment has been awarded to the SS. However, the formation of infantry divisions is a bit ahead from schedule. Everything goes fine on this point. General Fromm told me that over 12 Infantry-divisions has been added to our mobilization pool. This man is doing a great job and this new structure works perfectly.
We also started an intensive training programm for our landwehr units. They will soon be as good as regular infantry divisions... for the most part, at least. The 3 landwehr divisions of the
Schlesien Group, as well as the
97. (WK VII) and
14. (WK V) will have to wait a bit.
However, our borderguards units (Grenzschutz-Abschnitt-Kommandos) are now operational. A little bit more training wouldn't hurt, of course...
ErsatzsArmee and Borderguard units
- Good point : what about the training, in general ?
- General von Fritsch : we've worked very hard to improve our combat readiness and we will continue this year. Actually, the Army has never achieved such a good level, in every field. We have now enough officers, the required number of specialists. Morale is higher than ever and our men know what they have to do and how to do it.
- Stop pulling my leg ! You know better than I do that, even if training is very important, it doesn't mean anything if our guys have to fight with slings and reach a battlefield on foot or with cardboard boxes !
Ok... Enough is enough ! I might not be agree with
Lutz,
Guderian and all of those gentlemen of the Panzerwaffe, but in NO WAY, I will accept to let the SS get all the modern equipment.
- Do you want to start a war with Reichsführer
Himmler, Herr General ?
- If necessary, yes ! Up to the end of next year, I want our motorized divisions combat ready ! Speak with
Guderian and give him a "Go" for his 2 new Panzer-Divisions. The Führer is listenning to him, so we may have a chance. Look also with him, what's possible to do concerning the planned light Panzer-Divisions. Jetzt ist schluss mit lustig !!!
- Zu Befehl, Herr General !"
Truppenübungsplatz Grafenwöhr, N-E of Nürnberg - 1936, April, the 7th - 1430
Meeting between General Oswald Lutz, Inspektör der PanzerTruppen, and GeneralMajor Heinz Guderian, CO of the 2nd Panzer-Division.
- "Guten Tag, Heinz. Na... Alles klar ?
- Jawohl, Herr General. So far so good... My boys are doing better every day.
- Is this the new KampfPanzerWagen III ?
- Yeap... The brand new Pz III A. But it's only a prototype, Herr General. We're currently running suspension and firing tests. I like this new toy. Nothing comparable to the old Pz I and II. It's 2 to 3 times heavier, has a better armor and its 37mm gun is quite good. I would rather have a 50mm, however...
May be on the next versions. Anyway, it's a good compromise between speed and resistance.
- I'm glab to see you happy, mein lieber Heinz. Btw, have you been told the good news ?
- You mean, the authorization to form 2 other Panzer-Divisions, Herr General... Of course, I have. It was about time !
- I've scheduled an appointment with the Führer next week... for both of us. I rely on you to convince him to give us priority on war equipment.
- I'll do my best, Herr General, but you know how the industrial situation currently is. it won't be that simple. Besides, the assembly lines haven't been modified yet : they're still going to produce Pz I or II.
- it's better than nothing...
- Herr general. You know as well as I do that the Pz I is totally obsolete and the Pz II isn't much better. See what currently happens in Spain !!!
Situation in Spain - 1937, March the 30th
- Yeap... I've heard of this Republican counter-offensive. Totally unexpected... 3 months ago, everybody thought they were doomed. And now...
Anyway, it's not our concern, mein lieber Heinz. Let's focus on what really matters to us..."