“Basic Order No. 24
regarding collaboration with Japan
“The Fuehrer has issued the following order regarding collaboration with Japan:
“1. It must be the aim of the collaboration based on the Three Power Pact to induce Japan as soon as possible to take active measures in the Far East. Strong British forces will thereby be tied down, and the center of gravity of the interests of the United States of America will be diverted to the Pacific.
“The sooner it intervenes, the greater will be the prospects of success for Japan in view of the still undeveloped preparedness for war on the part of its adversaries. The “Barbarossa” operation will create particularly favorable political and military prerequisites for this. [Marginal note—“slightly exaggerated”]
“2. To prepare the way for the collaboration it is essential to strengthen the Japanese military potential with all means available.
“For this purpose the High Commands of the branches of the Armed Forces will comply in a comprehensive and generous manner with Japanese desires for information regarding German war and combat experience and for assistance in military economics and in technical matters. Reciprocity is desirable but this factor should not stand in the way of negotiations. Priority should naturally be given to those Japanese requests which would have the most immediate application in waging war.
“In special cases the Fuehrer reserves the decisions to himself.
“3. The harmonizing of the operational plans of the two parties is the responsibility of the Navy High Command.
“This will be subject to the following guiding principles: