Führer Directive 1: Plan of Attack on Poland (August 11, 1939)



Figure 1.--.

Hitler issued Führer Directive 1 August 31, 1939, the day before the invasion of Poland. It thus had no real value in directing military operatios. All this was carefully worked out well before the invasion. Thus we are not entirely sure just what the purpose of the formal directive was other than to give the formal go ahead to his commanders. The details were laid out in Case White and of course military forces had been pre-positioned along the Polish border in East Prussia, the Reich proper, and occupied Czechoslovakia. Hitler is still cautious in the sence he did not want military operations in the West. He instructs the Whermacht that hostilities with Britain and France were to be left to them to initiate, leaving onnus for the War on them, at least in the mind of the German people. He writes, for example, "In the West it is important to leave the responsibility for opening hostilities unmistakably to England and France. Minor violations of the frontier will be dealt with, for the time being, purely as local incidents." This would later be used for German propaganda in occupied France. It is interesting to note that about half of the directive is devote to Britain and France even though Poland was to be invaded. What he does not mention is the fact that the invasion had already been worked out with the Soviet Union and the partition of Poland. We suspect that Hitler was not anxious for his alliance with the Soviets to be given any prominance in the historical record. Historians citing the testimony of Hitler's intimates insist that Hitler was expecting Britain and France to back down again. He was thus surprised when they declared war, but he was essentially correct, there was no Allied offensive in the West. He had been disappointed after Munish, believing he had been denied his war. This time he woud not be placated. He would have his war. Politics no longer interested him. He wanted to achieve the status as a great war leader.

NAZI Demands on Poland

The Germans launched a major propaganda campaign with demands on Poland (April 7, 1939), only 3 weeks after dismembering and occupying Czechoslovakia. The initial demands appeared in the Voelkischer Beobachter, the NAZI newspaper. The initial demnands were the return of Danzig to the Reich and the granting of the right to build a highway under German sovereignty through the Polish corridor to East Prussia. Sibsequently there were further demands to make sure the Poles would not defuse the crisis by aceeding to the German demands. The Poles rwjedcted the demands. This was a matter of Polish pride, but Polish officials realized after Hitler occupied Czechoslovakia after giving assurabces to the Czechs and Allies, that even if they acceoted Hitler's demands that they could not rely on any assurances he offered.

NAZI-Soviet Non-Agression Pact (August 1939)

The War in Europe began in 1939 when the German blitzkrieg smashed Poland in only a few weeks. The invasion was made possible the preceeding week when Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler. NAZI Foreign Minister Ribbentrop and newly appointed Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs Molotov on August 23, 1939, signed the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact. At the time of the signing, British and French delegations were in Moscow trying to reach an understanding with Stalin. He was convinced, however, that they were tring to draw him into a war with Hitler. The two countries which until that time had been bitter foes, pledged not attack each other. Any problems developing between the two countries were to be delt with amicably. It was last for 10 years. The Pact shocked the world and the purpose was immedietly apparent. It meant that Germany could attack Poland without fear of Soviet intervention. Thus after defeating Poland, Germany did not have to fear a full-scale European war on two fronts. What was not known at the time was that there was a secret protocol to the pact which in effect divided Eastern Europe betwen the two countries. This protocol was discovered after the end of the World War II in 1945. The Soviets continued to deny this protocol until 1989. The NAZIs 8 days after signing the Pact invade Poland on September 1, 1939, launching World War II. Although the Soviet's did not enter the War against Britain and France, the Soviets were virtual NAZI allies as they provided large quantiies of strategic materials, especially oil. Communist parties in Britain and France opposed the war effort. The Communist Party in America opposed President Roosevelt's efforts to expand defense spending and assist Britain and France.

Assessment

Hitler issued Führer Directive 1 August 31, 1939, the day before the invasion of Poland. It thus had no real value in directing military operatios. All this was carefully worked out well before the invasion. Thus we are not entirely sure just what the purpose of the formal directive was other than to give the formal go ahead to his commanders. The details were laid out in Case White and of course military forces had been pre-positioned along the Polish border in East Prussia, the Reich proper, and occupied Czechoslovakia. Hitler is still cautious in the sence he did not want military operations in the West. He instructs the Whermacht that hostilities with Britain and France were to be left to them to initiate, leaving onnus for the War on them, at least in the mind of the German people. He writes, for example, "In the West it is important to leave the responsibility for opening hostilities unmistakably to England and France. Minor violations of the frontier will be dealt with, for the time being, purely as local incidents." This would later be used for German propaganda in occupied France. It is interesting to note that about half of the directive is devote to Britain and France even though Poland was to be invaded. What he does not mention is the fact that the invasion had already been worked out with the Soviet Union and the partition of Poland. We suspect that Hitler was not anxious for his alliance with the Soviets to be given any prominance in the historical record. Historians citing the testimony of Hitler's intimates insist that Hitler was expecting Britain and France to back down again. He was thus surprised when they declared war, but he was essentially correct, there was no Allied offensive in the West. He had been disappointed after Munish, believing he had been denied his war. This time he woud not be placated. He would have his war. Politics no longer interested him. He wanted to achieve the status as a great war leader.

Text

This is the actual text of the Directive.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
OKW/WFA Nr. 170/39 g. K. Chefs. L1.

MOST SECRET
Senior Commanders only By hand of Officer only

Berlin,
31st August 1939.

8 copies
Copy No. 2

Directive No. 1 for the Conduct of the War

1. Since the situation on Germany's Eastern frontier has become intolerable and all political possibilities of peaceful settlement have been exhausted, I have decided upon a solution by force.

2. The attack on Poland will be undertaken in accordance with the preparations made for 'Case White', with such variations as may be necessitated by the build-up of the Army which is now virtually complete.

The allocation of tanks and the purpose of the operation remain unchanged.

Date of attack 1st September 1939.

This time also applies to operations at Gdynia, in the Bay of Danzig, and at the Dirschau bridge.

3. In the West it is important to leave the responsibility for opening hostilities unmistakably to England and France. Minor violations of the frontier will be dealt with, for the time being, purely as local incidents.

The assurances of neutrality given by us to Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland are to be meticulously observed.

The Western frontier of Germany will not be crossed by land at any point without my explicit orders.

This applies also to all acts of warfare at sea or to acts which might be regarded, as such.

The defensive activity of the Air Force will be restricted for the time being to the firm repulse of enemy air attacks on the frontiers of the Reich. In taking action against individual aircraft or small formations, care will be taken to respect the frontiers of neutral countries as far as possible. Only if considerable forces of French or British bombers are employed against German territory across neutral areas will the Air Force be permitted to go into defensive action over neutral soil.

It is particularly important that any infringement of the neutrality of other states by our Western enemies be immediately reported to the High Command of the Armed Forces.

4. Should England and France open hostilities against Germany, it will be the duty of the Armed Forces operating in the West, while conserving their strength as much as possible, to maintain conditions for the successful conclusion of operations against Poland. Within these limits enemy forces and war potential will be damaged as much as possible. The right to order offensive operations is reserved absolutely to me.

The Army will occupy the West Wall and will take steps to secure it from being outflanked in the north, through the violation by the Western powers of Belgian or Dutch territory. Should French forces invade Luxembourg the bridges on the frontier may be blown up.

The Navy will operate against merchant shipping, with England as the focal point. In order to increase the effect, the declaration of danger zones may be expected. The Naval High Command will report on the areas which it is desirable to classify as danger zones and on their extent. The text of a public declaration in this matter is to be drawn up in collaboration with the Foreign Office and to be submitted to me for approval through the High Command of the Armed Forces.

The Baltic Sea is to be secured against enemy intrusion. Commander-in-Chief Navy1 will decide whether the entrances to the Baltic should be mined for this purpose.

The Air Force is, first of all, to prevent action by the French and English Air Forces against the German Army and German territory.

In operations against England the task of the Air Force is to take measures to dislocate English imports, the armaments industry, and the transport of troops to France. Any favourable opportunity of an effective attack on concentrated units of the English Navy, particularly on battleships or aircraft carriers, will be exploited. The decision regarding attacks on London is reserved to me.

Attacks on the English homeland are to be prepared, bearing in mind that inconclusive results with insufficient forces are to be avoided in all circumstances.

signed: ADOLF HITLER





HBC






Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main Führer Directive page ]
[Return to the Main Hitler World War II page ]
[Return to the Main German World War II page]
[Return to the Main Polish World War II page]
[Biographies] [Campaigns] [Children] [Countries] [Deciding factors] [Diplomacy] [Geo-political crisis] [Economics] [Home front] [Intelligence]
[POWs] [Resistance] [Race] [Refugees] [Technology]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Return to Main World War II page]
[Return to Main war essay page]




Created: 4:58 AM 11/12/2012
Last edited: 4:58 AM 11/12/2012