And the Army is asked to say how long it would take.
That was at the time of the Czechoslovakian crisis, wasn’t it?
JODL: Yes, but this document, I believe, has already been characterized as a ridiculous piece of paper, being the work of an insignificant captain.
MR. ROBERTS: He seems to have been a very good judge, at any rate, judging what happened afterwards.
Well now, the next document—I know you were in Austria, but no doubt you heard about it from Keitel—was the Chancellery meeting the 23d of May 1939. That is L-79, it is Book Number 7, Page 275. Do you remember there that the Führer said:
“The Dutch and Belgian air bases must be militarily occupied. Declarations of neutrality must be ignored....
“In this matter, considerations of right and wrong or treaties have no significance....
“The Army will have to take positions essential to the Navy and the Air Force. If Belgium and the Netherlands are successfully occupied and held, if France is also defeated, then fundamental conditions for a successful war against England will have been secured....
“Daily attacks by the German Air Force and Navy will cut her life lines.”
There wasn’t any doubt as to the policy of the Führer in May 1939, was there?