SCHULTE-MÖNTING: Yes. There were reports concerning the presence of British air crews in Oslo, allegedly posing as civilians. There were reports about Allied officers making surveys of Norwegian bridges, viaducts, and tunnels all the way to the Swedish border, which was taken as an indication that the transportation of heavy material and equipment was planned. And last but not least there were reports about a secret mobilization of Swedish troops because of the alleged danger to the ore areas.
DR. SIEMERS: What danger arose for Germany on account of that?
SCHULTE-MÖNTING: If Norway were to have been actually occupied, the conduct of the war in the North Sea would have become almost impossible, and it would have been very difficult in the Baltic Sea. The ore imports most probably would have been stopped. The danger from the air would have become terrible for north Germany and the eastern territories. In the long run the North Sea and the Baltic would have been blocked completely, which eventually would have led to the total loss of the war.
DR. SIEMERS: What did Admiral Raeder do on the basis of these considerations?
SCHULTE-MÖNTING: He reported to Hitler about his misgivings and called his attention to the dangers.
DR. SIEMERS: When was that report made?
SCHULTE-MÖNTING: If I remember correctly, in the autumn of ’39.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Siemers, until the adjournment, will you go very slowly because, owing to the power of the electrical recording being off, what is happening here in Court is impossible to take and therefore we have to rely solely upon the shorthand notes which cannot be checked back against the electrical recording. Do you understand? Therefore I want you to go rather more slowly than usual.
DR. SIEMERS: When was the conference between Hitler and Raeder in which Raeder for the first time pointed out these dangers?
SCHULTE-MÖNTING: In October 1939.