Another passage shows clearly how they appreciated at that time that their actions against Austria and Czechoslovakia might well involve them in war.
“* * * England, Poland, Lithuania take part in a war against us.” (C-175)
Part 2 of this directive, dealing with “Probable warlike eventualities—Concentrations,” states:
“1. War on two fronts with focal point in the West.
“Suppositions. In the West France is the opponent. Belgium may side with France, either at once or later or not at all. It is also possible that France may violate Belgium’s neutrality if the latter is neutral. She will certainly violate that of Luxembourg.” (C-175)
Part 3, which deals in part with “Special Case—Extension Red-Green,” declares:
“The military political starting point used as a basis for concentration plans Red and Green can be aggravated if either England, Poland or Lithuania join on the side of our opponents. Thereupon our military position would be worsened to an unbearable, even hopeless, extent. The political leaders will therefore do everything to keep these countries neutral, above all England and Poland.” (C-175)
The date of this order is June 1937, and it seems clear that at that date, anyway, the Nazi Government appreciated the likelihood, if not the probability, of fighting England and Poland and France, and were prepared to do so. On 5 November 1937, Hitler held his conference in the Reichschancellery, the minutes of which, referred to as the Hossbach notes, contain the remarks made by Hitler in respect of England, Poland, and France:
“The Fuehrer then stated: ‘The aim of German policy is the security and preservation of the nation and its propagation. This is consequently a problem of space’.” (386-PS)
Hitler then went on to discuss what he described as “participation in world economy”, and declared: