Excerpt from the book ' 39 Poland: operation Fall Weiss

WAR DIRECTIVE NO. 1

< Berlin, August 31, 1939.

WAR DIRECTIVE NO. 1

1 the possibilities of peaceful solving of the problems arising in the West border, where the situation of Germany is intolerable, have failed. I have therefore decided to solve them by force.

2nd attack on Poland will take place according to plans already set. Alterations resulting, with respect to the army, the current state of preparation of the same shall be taken into account. The indication of the tasks and the order of the same are provided for.

The attack date: September 1, 1939.

Hour 4.45 A.M.

Indications correspond to Gydnia, Bay of Danzig and Dirschau bridge operation.

3rd in the West it is important that the responsibility for the outbreak of hostilities falls on England and France. The neutrality of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland should be scrupulously respected.

By land, the West border must not be crossed without my express permission.

At sea: equal order.

4th if England and France breakout of hostilities against Germany, the Wehrmacht in the West's task to preserve their forces until the victorious conclusion of the Poland campaign. Within those limits, the forces enemy and their military and economic resources must be beaten to the extent possible. I will give the order to attack personally, in any case. The army must be ready to defend the west wall and prevent any maneuver flanking by the powers of the West, if they violate the territory of Belgium and the Netherlands.

To carry the war to England, the direction of the Luftwaffe attacks will focus on interruption of the arrival of supplies by sea, in attacks on the industry of war and to disrupt the transport of troops to France.

The London attacks I will decide personally.

Adolf Hitler >

Excerpt from the book ' 39 Poland: operation Fall Weiss

LETTERS EXCHANGED BY HITLER AND STALIN

From Hitler to Stalin:

< Berlin, on August 20, 1939 (2 am).

Mr Stalin. Moscow.

I sincere welcome to the rusogermano trade agreement. It is the first step in the approximation of germanosovieticas relations.

The conclusion of a Pact of non aggression with the Soviet Union will allow me to set the German policy for a long time. Germany, thus, ensure political progress which will benefit both States for centuries.

I accept the proposition of the Pact of non-aggression made by its Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Molotov, but believe that it is urgent to clarify matters with him as soon as possible.

The supplementary Protocol desired by the Soviet Union can, I believe, clarified, in the shortest time possible, if German statesmen can go to negotiate personally.

The tension between Germany and Poland has become intolerable. The situation worsens day by day. Germany, therefore, ready to defend the interests of the Reich by all available means.

In my opinion, it is necessary, in the light of the intention of the two States starting new relationships, do not wait any longer. I propose that you receive my Minister of Foreign Affairs Tuesday 22, or, at most, Wednesday 23. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Reich is authorized to sign the Pact of non-aggression and also the Protocol. A stay of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Moscow of more than one or two days is impossible, by the grave international situation.

Will I get pleased his response.

Adolf Hitler. >>

From Stalin to Hitler:

< Moscow, 21 August 1939 (9.35 in the morning).

To the Chancellor of the German Reich, Adolf Hitler:

Thank you for your note. I wish the concretion of the Pact of non-aggression rusogermano, because it will improve relations between the two countries.

The peoples of our two nations need peaceful relations more than any other. The agreement of the German Government to the signing of a Pact of non-aggression helps to remove the political tension and helps to establish the peace and cooperation between the two countries.

The Government of the Soviet Union informed you that we expect Mr Ribbentrop in Moscow on 23 August.

Iosef Stalin. >>