Archive/File: imt/nca/nca-02/nca-02-16-responsibility-14-03
Last-Modified: 1997/05/13

   Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Volume Two, Chapter XIV
                                                  [Page 818]

C. PARTICIPATION IN PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF AGGRESSIVE
WARS.

Apart from his services in building up the U-boat arm, there
is ample evidence that Doenitz, as Officer Commanding U-
boats, took part in the planning and execution of the
aggressive wars against Poland, Norway, and Denmark.

(1) Poland. The distribution list on a memorandum by Raeder,
dated 16 May 1939, shows that the sixth copy went to the
Fuehrer der Unterseeboote, who was Doenitz. This document
was a directive for the invasion of Poland (Fall Weiss) (C-
126). Another memorandum from Raeder's headquarters, dated 2
August 1939, is addressed to the fleet, and The Flag
Officer, U-boats -- this is, Doenitz (C-126). This was
merely a covering letter on operational directions for the
precautionary employment of U-boats in the Atlantic in the
event that the intention to

                                                  [Page 819]
                                                            
carry out Fall Weiss remained unchanged. The second sentence
is significant:

     "Flag Officer, U-boats, is handing in his operational
     orders to SKL [Seekriegsletung, the German Admiralty]
     by 12 August. A decision on the sailings of U-boats for
     the Atlantic will probably be made at the middle of
     August." (C-126)

Doenitz proceeded to give operational instructions to his U-
boats for the operation Fall Weiss. These instructions,
signed by him, are not dated, but it is clear from the
subject matter that the date must have been before 16 July
1939 (C-172). These operational instructions gave effect to
Raeder's directive (C-126).

(2) Norway and Denmark. An extract from the War Diary of the
Naval War Staff of the German Admiralty, dated 3 October
1939, records the fact that the Chief of the Naval War Staff
has called for views on the possibility of taking
operational bases in Norway (C-122). It states Doenitz's
views as follows:

     "*** Flag Officer U-boats already considers such
     harbors extremely useful as equipment-and supply-bases
     for Atlantic U-boats to call at temporarily." (C-122)

A communication from Doenitz as Flag Officer U-boats,
addressed to the Supreme Command of the Navy (the Naval War
Staff) dated 9 October 1939, sets out Doenitz's views on the
advantages of Trondheim and Narvik as bases. Doenitz
proposes the establishment of a base at Trondheim with
Narvik as alternative (C-5).

Doenitz then gave operation orders to his U-boats for the
occupation of Denmark and Norway. This Top Secret order,
dated 30 March 1940, under the code name "Hartmut,"
provided:

     "The naval force will, as they enter the harbor, fly
     the British flag until the troops have landed, except
     presumably at Narvik." (C-151)

(3) England. The preparations for war against England are
perhaps best shown by the disposition of the U-boats under
Doenitz's command on 3 September 1939, when war broke out
between Germany and the Western Allies. The locations of the
kings in the following week, including that of the Athenia,
provide corroboration. These matters are contained in two
charts prepared by the British Admiralty. The first chart
sets out the disposition of German submarines on 3 September
1939. The certificate attached to this chart reads:

     "This chart has been constructed from a study of the
     orders issued by Doenitz between 21 August 1939 and 3
     Septem-
     
                                                  [Page 820]
                                                            
     ber 1939, and subsequently captured. The chart shows
     the approximate disposition of submarines ordered for 3
     September 1939, and cannot be guaranteed accurate in
     every detail, as the file of captured orders are
     clearly not complete and some of the submarines shown
     apparently had received orders at sea on or about
     September 3 to move to new operational areas. The
     documents from which this chart was constructed are
     held by the British Admiralty in London."

It will be apparent that U-boats which were in the positions
indicated on this chart on 3 September 1939 had left Kiel a
considerable time before. The location of the U-boat U-30 is
particularly significant.

The second chart sets out the sinkings during the first week
of the war. The attached certificate reads:

     "This chart has been constructed from the official
     records of the British Admiralty in London. It shows
     the position and sinkings of the British merchant
     vessels lost by enemy action in the seven days
     subsequent to 3 September 1939."

The location of the sinking of the Athenia is significant.

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