PART XLVIII : APPOINTMENT OF SPEER
Fuhrer with Albert Speer
January 7, 1942
Brazil, under strong pressure from United States declared war on Germany.
January 8, 1942
3 new u-boats were commissioned in La Rochelle dockyard. With these, total number of u-boats became 23.
January 9, 1942
Minister of Armaments Schacht prepared an industrial production list for Fuhrer. In the list shown to Fuhrer, approximate production capacities of major powers were calculated. Germany is the second most productive country in the world behind United States. United States has more than twice industrial capacity than capacity. Fuhrer believes that in spite of huge production capacity, United States is not a threat to continental Europe. According to him, Germany turned the Europe into fortress and can protect it against any invader in the future.
Convoy hunting news :
January 10, 1942
Convoy hunting news :
January 11, 1942
Kretschmer's u-boat group lost 1 u-boat in an attack by American destroyers.
January 12, 1942
The Axis in the beginning of 1942 :
January 14, 1942
Italian Armies are pushing the British into the desert in Libya. Guderian's motorized divisions in Siwah cut the rear of retreating British forces in Al Jaghbub.
January 18, 1942
Today, Fuhrer issued new directive.
FUHRER DIRECTIVE
Considering new developments into account, I order as follows :
1) Favourable weather conditions in Northern Spain make it possible to early execution of
Operation Felix. Our troop transportation to Spanish Border is almost complete. 30 divisions are positioned near the border and 3 more panzer divisions will arrive soon. Hence, Total of 33 divisions will be available for Operation Felix. Wehrmacht will use its superior technology and fighting spirit to destroy the enemy. Luftwaffe with 8 ju-88 squadrons will provide ground support to advancing units.
2) I set the beginning date of operations against Spain as
February 5, 1942. We will enter Spain from Mont-de Marsan. Only a day before the invasion, Spanish government will be given an ultimatum demanding the right to station German troops in Spain and Spanish signing of Tripartite Pact. Neutrality of France will be respected. Panzer and motorized divisions will advance in regions where terrain is favourable. Mobile forces will not lose time trying to advance in mountanious regions. Our first objective is to advance towards Pamplona-Zaragoza-Tarragona route and to isolate Spanish Northern Army between us and French border. Second objective is to advance towards Madrid as fast as possible and to capture the city.
3) Operation Felix will be completed in a month. If we lose time, Anglo-Saxons could land troops in the Southern Spain. I can't allow United States and Britain to obtain a foothold in Continental Europe.
4) Our propaganda in Spain should focus on that Germany doesn't have any intention to grab land from Spain or to rape its independence. In contrast, Germany is in Spain to liberate rightful Spanish territory of Gibraltar from the British imperialists. Spanish cabinet shouldn't be allowed to escape from Madrid. There are many pro-German politicians in the Franco's cabinet. I am sure they will be willing to cooperate with us.
5) Preparations for
Operation Sealion should continue at a quick pace. Early execution of Operation Felix will allow us to use most of Luftwaffe against the British Isles. Extensive bombing campaign against British cities will be conducted before the invasion. I set the date of beginning of bombing campaign as April 1, 1942. Until that date, Invasion of Spain will be completed.
6) I was convinced by High Command to initiate infantry offensives in Iran. Teheran should be occupied immediately and advance towards Indian border should be commenced. We don't have to worry about our left flank as Iraq is neutral.
7) Swedish and Finnish neutrality is unacceptable to German Reich. Germany showed the maximum tolerance to these countries for years. However, these two countries chose not to side with Germany while Germany was fighting for the future of Europe. Sweden was particulary double-faced as it always wished for Allied victory over Germany. As a result, I decided to create Greater Scandinavia which will be eternal ally of German Reich. Sweden and Finland didn't want to take their places in the New European Order peacefully. Now, I will bring new order to these countries by force.
8) Military plans for the invasion of Sweden and Finland simultaneously should be prepared immediately and should be submitted to me. ( Codenamed as
Operation Nordlicht ). If possible, the invasion will be launched before this winter.
9) Foreign Ministry should get in touch with National Socialists in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Reliable ones should be enlisted for the future leadership of Scandinavia.( Quisling may be considered as the leader) These people should be able to tell their people that German Army is there only to unite all Nordic Scandinavian people and bring freedom to them. I don't want to be dragged into bloody partisan warfare in Scandinavia.
10) U-boat warfare is extremely successful so far. We will continue to sink every British merchant ships we spot. Operation Sealion will put an end to hostilities with Britain but we have to consider the worst case and act accordingly. Even if we can't succeed in Operation Sealion, Starvation should finish off Britain.
signed : ADOLF HITLER
January 19, 1942
Convoy Hunting News :
January 20, 1942
Japanese declared the independence of Philippines. Philippines became a part of Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
January 21, 1942
British Army in North Africa may surrender soon. 12 divisions were trapped in deserts and has no place to escape.
January 22, 1942
Fuhrer ordered Blohm & Voss company to make improved aircraft carrier designs and began to build carriers within 2 years. Fuhrer believes that Germany should focus on the Navy and the Airforce for future fight against United States.
January 23, 1942
British carriers bombed our u-boat bases in La Rochelle. We sent our ju-88 bombers to attack British Fleet. Our bombers damaged 1 battleship heavily.
January 24, 1942
Kyrgyzstan declared independence from Soviet Union. Fuhrer immediately recognized Kyrgysztan government.
January 25, 1942
Convoy Hunting News :
January 27, 1942
Fuhrer dismissed Schacht and appointed Albert Speer as Reich War Minister. Schacht was always known as having aversion to National Socialist policies. He always favoured more free-market oriented policies. Fuhrer finally got tired of Schact's advices and decided to replace him with Speer to whom he has very high esteem due his architectural skills. Other than being a talented architecture, Speer is also known as great organizer.
Speer's effect on the production capacity :
