The Hossbach Memorandum - Follow-up.
Practical - End of 1937
- Mein Führer, as OberBefehlshaber der Marine, it is my duty to point out the great difficulties we're facing up. We simply don't receive enough steel for our naval constructions. We currently have 4 battleships/battlecruisers under construction but we have ressources to work on only 2 of them at the same time. I don't even mention our aircraft carrier "Graf Zeppelin" which construction had to be stopped due to lack of materials.
Only one heavy cruiser, among the 3 planned, can be worked on, as well as on 6 destroyers among 18. Under such conditions it will be impossible to finish our current constructions within the time limit, not to mention all the other units the Y-Plan...
- That's your second version, isn't it ?
- Jawohl, mein Führer. The first version, the X-Plan has been rejected by Reichsminister Schacht.
- I'm afraid this one is quite too ambitious either, Admiral. 4 aircraft carriers seems ok to me but 10 SH-Battleships... Come on, Admiral !!! Don't you think it's a bit too much ? I'm telling you : work out a reasonnable contruction plan and I promise to give you my full support. I want to see the final version of this plan, the Z version, for the end of next year.
- Thanks a lot, mein Führer.
The planned TOE of the U-Bootswaffe
The good point is that the u-boats construction is on schedule : by 1939, we're going to have 7 flotillas, each 6 to 12 boats, at our disposal. One of them is a training flottilla and 3 are equipped with U-Boot type II for coastal operations solely. It will leave us with only 3 ocean-going flottillas, of either type VII or type IX... 30 boats all together.
The transport vessels construction is almost done. We're currently thinking to arm some of them as "Hilfskreutzer", just in case...
Training is also a major concern. I've ordered a full training programme but, as almost all our research projects, it has been postponed due to lack of money. Our missions in the spanish waters showed us some weaknesses which must be corrected !
How are we suppose to compete with the Royal Navy without training and obsolete equipment, mein Führer ?
- I'll check that, Admiral.
Göring, what about the Luftwaffe ?
- Mein Führer, the Luftwaffe is in good shape. The production of new aircrafts is on schedule although it's quite true that about a third of our air forces is made of old models, fighter He-51, bombers Ju-86 and Hs-123, which need to be replaced. We've seen in Spain that these aircrafts don't match the last soviet models like the Polikarpov I-15 or I-16. Unfortunatly, it will take some time...
Our new models, on the other hand, are giving full satisfaction.
- I've heard that Staatssekretär Milch wants to develop a strategic bombers force. What do you think of that ?
- Mein Führer, we don't really need that. We have planned a bombing force of over 1500 aircrafts, which is more than enough to turn every enemy city into a piece of rubbles. The first tests we've conducted in Spain are very conclusive. Besides, building a strategic bombing force would required at least 400 aircrafts which is far beyong our current industrial capability, not to mention all the attended research costs...
- Well, I'll have to trust you on that point, mein lieber Göring. However, I asked Staatssekretär Milch to conduct a study on that. What else ?
- A significant effort in training has been made in the last 2 years, mainly for the naval aviation. Its current level of profiency is now as good as the rest of the Luftwaffe. We try to carry on that way but with so many pilots to train, it's going tougher and tougher. Using the opportunity of our engagement in Spain, we have set up a rotation programme for air and ground crews so that the greatest number of personal can get some real combat experience. The first results are promising.
Luftwaffen Doctrine and training update - 1937
On the other side, this current "bed test" is showing us the importance of a good air support to the ground troops. The dive bomber Ju-87 "Stuka" might be one solution but we also need fighters capable of providing air cover as well as close air support. Because the prototype of Heinkell isn't giving full satisfaction, the ReichsLuftfahrtMinisterium has asked both Messerschmidt and Focke-Wulf companies to make a study on this kind of aircraft. Once again, it will cost time and money before we can get some results...
- What about the airborne force ?
- We have made progress but there's still a lot to do : some research must be carried on, mostly concerning material and doctrine. The troops have been selected and their training has begun but we're running desperatly short of transport airplanes. I'm afraid it will take an other year, may be two, up until we can get an airborne force worth mentioning.
- Keep focus on that, Herr ReichsMarschall. I expect to see some results by the end of next year !!!
GeneralOberst von Fritsch, the state of the Heer, please...
- As GeneralFeldMarschall von Blomberg told you, mein Führer, the Wehrmacht isn't able to go to war right now. However, we're making steady progress in all fields. No need to point out that our major restraint is the incapability of our industry to fullfil our demands. Concerning modern equipment for our Panzertruppen, the situation is even critical.
- Explain !!!
- Mein Führer : the decision to arm some SS-formations might have a good political reason but giving them priority on modern equipment prevents the Army to equip its own motorized formations. As a matter of fact, none of our planned motorized infantry divisions are fully equipped and our existing 3 Panzer-Divisions are supplied with old material. The other 3 planned Panzer-Divisions as well as the 4 light Panzer-Divisions are even in a worse state of readiness.
- Go on !!!
ReichsProduktion and reserve divisions - 1937
- On the other hand, mein Führer, our conventional forces are in good shape and are expanding as planned. Most of our Landwehr-Divisions have now reached the standarts of normal infantry formations and could be now considered combat-ready. All together, it's a force of about 20 divisions !
We also have completed formation and training of over a dozen of new infantry divisions, which would be available in case of mobilisation. This number is expending as scheduled.
The 1. Gebirgsjäger-Brigade (mountain) has just conducted its first exercice near München and is now operational. The same is also true for the 1. Kavallerie-brigade.
The special training programme has also begun for the planned 22. Luftlande-Division (airmobile) but as Herr Reichsmarschall Göring told you, the lack of means prevents us to give them all what they need. still, the cooperation with the Luftwaffe is very good and the same goes for the Reserve Army.
- Gut, Herr GeneralOberst. What about training and equipment ?
Army doctrines as on November 1937
- Nothing to complain about training, mein Führer. Now that we have enough weapon specialists and officers, all our formations have met the required standarts. Men are proud of what they're doing and their morale is quite high too. Needless to say that the remilitarisation of the Rheinland played a major role on that. Nevertheless, as I told you before, material and equipment remain a weak point.
Stand of researchs - November 1937
The Heereswaffenamt (German Army Weapons Agency) is conducting researchs and tests on new infantry equipment but it's quite useless if our industry isn't able to produce those equipments for our troops.
- Let this be my concern, Herr GeneralOberst, but I take good note of what you said.
Mein lieber von Neurath, any news on the diplomatic front ?
- Mein Führer, as you know, the death of hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Gömbös last year, as well as our "dispute" with Italy concerning Austria, prevented our two countries to come closer together. But obviously Regent Horthy insisted on this reconciliation and we now have the confirmation that Hungary will join the Axis real soon. Hungarian officials will come to Berlin and a signature ceremony is scheduled on the 9th of November.
Hungary into Axis !!!
- Great news !!! And what about Japan ?
- We're making progress, mein Führer. Now that we have, unfortunatly I have to say, stopped our cooperation with China, the relationships between the Empire of Japan and the German reich strongly improved. I'm just afraid our new japanese friends are quite too busy with the war in China to engage serious negociations with us...
- What's the situation up there ? Are the japanese forces in trouble ?
Chinese front - 1937, November the 5th
- Not at all, mein Führer. It is quite true that the japanese forces suffered a major defeat west of Macao. They've tried to land troops down there but got anihilated. However, they're making progress everywhere else. Beijing, Nanking and Shanghaï have fallen and Canton is threatened. I have to point out that japanese troops seemed to have perpetrated massive civilian massacres in Nanking, which horrified the public opinion throughout the world. We should take our distance from such a behavior if we don't want to upset other countries, mainly the USA.
To sum up, and according to our military experts, only supply concerns could stop the japanese forces now. Obviously, our previous cooperation with China wasn't sufficient enough...
- 'See ? I've told you the Japanese are the allies we need ! What about Spain ?
Situation in Spain - 1937, November the 5th
- The Nationalists avoided a complete disaster but they are still in a critical situation. The Republicans are pushing toward Bilbao and Malaga and they're now threatening Madrid. Admiral Canaris reported me that a fall a the Capital is to be taken in consideration. It is true that the Nationalists have formed new divisions but it will take some time to have them fully combat-ready.
- We're going to increase our help to General Franco. Now that we're involved, the German Reich cannot afford a political defeat in Spain !!!
Meine Herren, ich bedanke mich...
..............................................................
- Hmmmm... Mein Führer ?!
- Ja, Oberst Hossbach ?
- The executive office of Reichsminister Schacht just called. The finance Minister asked for an appointment with you. It seems to be important and urgent.
- What's the purpose ?
- Mein Führer... So far I could understand, Reichsminister Schacht wants to resign of his position as Reichswirtschaftsminister...!!!
Practical - End of 1937
Only one heavy cruiser, among the 3 planned, can be worked on, as well as on 6 destroyers among 18. Under such conditions it will be impossible to finish our current constructions within the time limit, not to mention all the other units the Y-Plan...
- That's your second version, isn't it ?
- Jawohl, mein Führer. The first version, the X-Plan has been rejected by Reichsminister Schacht.
- I'm afraid this one is quite too ambitious either, Admiral. 4 aircraft carriers seems ok to me but 10 SH-Battleships... Come on, Admiral !!! Don't you think it's a bit too much ? I'm telling you : work out a reasonnable contruction plan and I promise to give you my full support. I want to see the final version of this plan, the Z version, for the end of next year.
- Thanks a lot, mein Führer.
The planned TOE of the U-Bootswaffe
The transport vessels construction is almost done. We're currently thinking to arm some of them as "Hilfskreutzer", just in case...
Training is also a major concern. I've ordered a full training programme but, as almost all our research projects, it has been postponed due to lack of money. Our missions in the spanish waters showed us some weaknesses which must be corrected !
How are we suppose to compete with the Royal Navy without training and obsolete equipment, mein Führer ?
- I'll check that, Admiral.
Göring, what about the Luftwaffe ?
- Mein Führer, the Luftwaffe is in good shape. The production of new aircrafts is on schedule although it's quite true that about a third of our air forces is made of old models, fighter He-51, bombers Ju-86 and Hs-123, which need to be replaced. We've seen in Spain that these aircrafts don't match the last soviet models like the Polikarpov I-15 or I-16. Unfortunatly, it will take some time...
Our new models, on the other hand, are giving full satisfaction.
- I've heard that Staatssekretär Milch wants to develop a strategic bombers force. What do you think of that ?
- Mein Führer, we don't really need that. We have planned a bombing force of over 1500 aircrafts, which is more than enough to turn every enemy city into a piece of rubbles. The first tests we've conducted in Spain are very conclusive. Besides, building a strategic bombing force would required at least 400 aircrafts which is far beyong our current industrial capability, not to mention all the attended research costs...
- Well, I'll have to trust you on that point, mein lieber Göring. However, I asked Staatssekretär Milch to conduct a study on that. What else ?
- A significant effort in training has been made in the last 2 years, mainly for the naval aviation. Its current level of profiency is now as good as the rest of the Luftwaffe. We try to carry on that way but with so many pilots to train, it's going tougher and tougher. Using the opportunity of our engagement in Spain, we have set up a rotation programme for air and ground crews so that the greatest number of personal can get some real combat experience. The first results are promising.
Luftwaffen Doctrine and training update - 1937
- What about the airborne force ?
- We have made progress but there's still a lot to do : some research must be carried on, mostly concerning material and doctrine. The troops have been selected and their training has begun but we're running desperatly short of transport airplanes. I'm afraid it will take an other year, may be two, up until we can get an airborne force worth mentioning.
- Keep focus on that, Herr ReichsMarschall. I expect to see some results by the end of next year !!!
GeneralOberst von Fritsch, the state of the Heer, please...
- As GeneralFeldMarschall von Blomberg told you, mein Führer, the Wehrmacht isn't able to go to war right now. However, we're making steady progress in all fields. No need to point out that our major restraint is the incapability of our industry to fullfil our demands. Concerning modern equipment for our Panzertruppen, the situation is even critical.
- Explain !!!
- Mein Führer : the decision to arm some SS-formations might have a good political reason but giving them priority on modern equipment prevents the Army to equip its own motorized formations. As a matter of fact, none of our planned motorized infantry divisions are fully equipped and our existing 3 Panzer-Divisions are supplied with old material. The other 3 planned Panzer-Divisions as well as the 4 light Panzer-Divisions are even in a worse state of readiness.
- Go on !!!
ReichsProduktion and reserve divisions - 1937
We also have completed formation and training of over a dozen of new infantry divisions, which would be available in case of mobilisation. This number is expending as scheduled.
The 1. Gebirgsjäger-Brigade (mountain) has just conducted its first exercice near München and is now operational. The same is also true for the 1. Kavallerie-brigade.
The special training programme has also begun for the planned 22. Luftlande-Division (airmobile) but as Herr Reichsmarschall Göring told you, the lack of means prevents us to give them all what they need. still, the cooperation with the Luftwaffe is very good and the same goes for the Reserve Army.
- Gut, Herr GeneralOberst. What about training and equipment ?
Army doctrines as on November 1937
Stand of researchs - November 1937
- Let this be my concern, Herr GeneralOberst, but I take good note of what you said.
Mein lieber von Neurath, any news on the diplomatic front ?
- Mein Führer, as you know, the death of hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Gömbös last year, as well as our "dispute" with Italy concerning Austria, prevented our two countries to come closer together. But obviously Regent Horthy insisted on this reconciliation and we now have the confirmation that Hungary will join the Axis real soon. Hungarian officials will come to Berlin and a signature ceremony is scheduled on the 9th of November.
Hungary into Axis !!!
- We're making progress, mein Führer. Now that we have, unfortunatly I have to say, stopped our cooperation with China, the relationships between the Empire of Japan and the German reich strongly improved. I'm just afraid our new japanese friends are quite too busy with the war in China to engage serious negociations with us...
- What's the situation up there ? Are the japanese forces in trouble ?
Chinese front - 1937, November the 5th
To sum up, and according to our military experts, only supply concerns could stop the japanese forces now. Obviously, our previous cooperation with China wasn't sufficient enough...
- 'See ? I've told you the Japanese are the allies we need ! What about Spain ?
Situation in Spain - 1937, November the 5th
- We're going to increase our help to General Franco. Now that we're involved, the German Reich cannot afford a political defeat in Spain !!!
Meine Herren, ich bedanke mich...
..............................................................
- Hmmmm... Mein Führer ?!
- Ja, Oberst Hossbach ?
- The executive office of Reichsminister Schacht just called. The finance Minister asked for an appointment with you. It seems to be important and urgent.
- What's the purpose ?
- Mein Führer... So far I could understand, Reichsminister Schacht wants to resign of his position as Reichswirtschaftsminister...!!!
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