[EXTRACT FROM NOTES OF CONFERENCE BETWEEN HITLER AND CIANO IN VIENNA, 25 MARCH 1941]
The Fuehrer first expressed his satisfaction with Yugoslavia's joining the tripartite pact and the resulting definition of her position. This is of special importance in view of the proposed military action against Greece, for, if one considers that for 350 to 400 km the important line of communication through Bulgaria runs within 20 km of the Yugoslav border, one can judge that with a dubious attitude of Yugoslavia in undertaking against Greece would have been militarily an extremely foolhardy venture. *******
Toward the end of March, Germany would have completed her assembly of troops on the Greek front. Then it, would only await good weather, for in rainy weather three of her most important arms cannot be utilized:
1. The air force, especially in mountainous territory;
2. The heavy technical arms which cannot move on the soft ground, and
3. The rapidity with which, in a breakthrough of the front,
the armored and motorized formations have to follow through. Therefore, beginning the end of the month, Germany would only be awaiting good weather in order to strike. ~ '
* * * * * * * .
In answer to a question of Ciano's about the probable duration ox the Greek campaign, thé Fuehrer replied that given favourable weather the decision could be brought about within a few days. Nevertheless the initial assembly [Aufmarsch] presents great technical and organizational problems. More than million men would have to be supplied, and each additional division brought to Bulgaria would again delay for a few days the supplies of the other ones, because only a few railroads are.available. ,
411
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Extracts from notes of a meeting between Hitler and Count Ciano, on German preparations for the Greek campaign
Authors
Adolf Hitler (Fuehrer, Reich Chancellor, Supeme Commander of Wehrmacht)
Adolf Hitler
Austrian nationalized German politician, leader of the National Socialist party and dictator of Germany (1889-1945)
- Born: 1889-01-01 1889-04-20 (Braunau am Inn) (country: Austria-Hungary; located in the administrative territorial entity: Archduchy of Austria above the Enns; statement is subject of: Adolf-Hitler-Geburtshaus)
- Died: 1945-04-30 (Berlin Führerbunker) (country: Nazi Germany; located in the administrative territorial entity: Berlin; statement is subject of: death of Adolf Hitler)
- Country of citizenship: Cisleithania (period: 1889-04-20 through 1918-11-11); First Republic of Austria (period: 1919-01-01 through 1925-04-30); Nazi Germany (end cause: death of Adolf Hitler; period: 1933-01-30 through 1945-04-30); Republic of German-Austria (period: 1918-01-01 through 1919-01-01)
- Occupation: painter (statement is subject of: paintings by Adolf Hitler); political writer; politician (reason for preferred rank: generally used form); soldier
- Member of political party: German Workers' Party (period: 1919-09-12 through 1921-07-11); Nazi Party (series ordinal: 556)
- Member of: Nazi Party
- Participant in: Aktion T4; Beer Hall Putsch; The Holocaust; ethnic cleansing
- Significant person: Albert Speer; Benito Mussolini; Eva Braun; Joseph Stalin
Date: 25 March 1941
Total Pages: 1
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: PS-2765
Citation: IMT (page 1141)
HLSL Item No.: 450896
Document Summary
PS-2765: Photostatic copy of top secret minutes of meeting between Hitler and Ciano
PS-2765: Hitler’s discussion in Vienna with count Ciano, 25 March 1941: Hitler’s policy in Western and middle Europe and in relation to Turkey; Mussolini’s views on Italy’s invasion of Albania and of Greece; Hitler’s appraisal of the political situation, especially in regard to Spain, Russia, Turkey