JODL: The end of October.
DR. EXNER: How did you imagine further military developments would be? But, of course, you have already answered that.
JODL: Actually, I expected an easing of the political tension and a period of peace. I can certainly say that.
DR. EXNER: And what happened to you then?
JODL: As I knew of no other plans, I transferred my home to Vienna taking all my furniture with me. Naturally I would never have done that if I had had the faintest idea that war was pending, because I knew that in the event of war I was to become the Chief of the Armed Forces Operations Staff and so would have to return to Berlin. I asked General Keitel to help me to become the Commander of the 4th Mountain Division in Reichenhall, from 1 October 1939, a request which again it would never have entered my mind to make if I had any idea of what was going to come.
DR. EXNER: Did you as Artillery Commander in Vienna remain in contact with the OKW?
JODL: No, hardly at all. I had no connections with the OKW. I received no military documents from the OKW during all that period.
DR. EXNER: And who informed you then about the situation during that time?
JODL: Nobody. During that time I knew no more about what was going on or what was intended than any lieutenant in my artillery.
DR. EXNER: Did you have private correspondence with Keitel?