To tear open the Greek defense front on a decisive point for a far-reaching operation,
To open up the straits west of Saloniki from the back in order to support thereby the frontal attack of List's Army.
4. The directives for the questions of authority over the German troops to be employed in North Africa and Albania and the restrictions which are to be made with reference to their employment, will be settled by the High Command of the Armed Forces and the Italian Armed Forces staff.
5. The suitable transports available in the Mediterranean only as far as they are not already used for transportations to Tripoli, to be provided for the transfer of the Albania-bound troops. For transports of personnel, the transportation group Ju 52 stationed in Foggia is to be utilized.
Every effort should be made to complete the transfer of the bulk of the German forces to Albania before the transfer of the blocking unit to Lybia starts, (See 1) and the use of all German boats becomes necessary for this purpose.
[signed] Adolf Hitler
Distribution:
OKH/Gen Staff of Army, operating—1st cy.
OKM/Skl—2nd cy.
Ob.d.L./Lw.F.St.I a—3rd cy.
OKW WFST—4th cy.
————L—5th to 9th cy.
WNV—10th cy.
Foreign/Intelligence—11th cy.
Armed Forces, Transport Chief—12th cy.
German General with the Italian high command—13th cy.
F.H.Q. 29th Jan 41
High Command of the Armed Forces
WFST/Abt. L(I) Nr. 44018/41 g.K. Chefs II. Anz.
13 copies, 4th copy.
Ref: The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. OKW /WFST/Abt. L(L) Nr. 44018/41 gk Chefs. V. 11th Jan. 41
The measures ordered in Order 22 are to be given the following code names: