Nuremberg Trials
Opening Address for the United States
Robert Jackson
This document was retrieved from the archives of Nizkor. Source: Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression, Volume I, Chapter VII, Office of the United States Chief Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1946.
WAR OF AGGRESSION
I will not prolong this address by detailing the steps leading to the
war of aggression which began with the invasion of Poland on September
1, 1939. The further story will be unfolded to you documents including
those of the German High Command itself. The plans had been laid long in
advance. As early as 1935 Her appointed the defendant Schacht to the
position of "Gen-
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eral Deputy for the War Economy." (2261-PS). We have the diary of
General Jodl (1780-PS); the "Plan Otto," Hitler's own order for attack
on Austria in case trickery failed (C- 102); the "Plan Green" which was
the blueprint for attack on Czechoslovakia (88-PS); plans for the War in
the West (376-PS, 375-PS); Funk's letter to Hitler dated 8/2/1939,
detailing the long course of economic preparation (699-PS); Keitel's top
secret mobilization order for 1939-40 prescribing secret steps to be
taken during a "period of tension" during which no " 'state of war' will
be publicly declared even if open war measures against the foreign enemy
will be taken." This latter order (1639-A-PS) is in our possession
despite a secret order issued on March 16, 1945, when Allied troops were
advancing into the heart of Germany, to burn these plans. We have also
Hitler's directive, dated December 18, 1940, for the "Barbarossa
Contingency" outlining the strategy of the attack upon Russia (446-PS).
That plan in the original bears the initials of the defendants Keitel
and Jodl. They were planning the attack and planning it long in advance
of the declaration of war. We have detailed information concerning "Case
White," the plan for attack on Poland (C120). That attack began the war.
The plan was issued by Keitel on April 3, 1939. The attack did not come
until September. Steps in preparation for the attack were taken by
subordinate commanders, one of whom issued an order on June 14,
providing that:
"The Commander-in-Chief of the Army has ordered the working out of a
plan of deployment against Poland which takes in account the demands of
the political leadership for the opening of war by surprise and for
quick success *********
"I declare it the duty of the Commanding Generals, the divisional
commanders and the commandants to limit as much as possible the number
of persons who will be informed, and to limit the extent of the
information, and ask that all suitable measures be taken to prevent
persons not concerned from getting information."
"The operation, in order to forestall an orderly Polish mobilization and
concentration, is to be opened by surprise with forces which are for the
most part armored and motorized, placed on alert in the neighborhood of
the border. The initial superiority over the Polish frontier-guards and
surprise that can be expected with certainty are to be main-
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tained by quickly bringing up other parts of the army as well to
counteract the marching up of the Polish Army.
"If the development of the Political situation should show that a
surprise at the beginning of the war is out of question, because of well
advanced defense preparations on the part of the Polish Army, the
Commander-in-Chief 'of the Army will order the opening of the
hostilities only after the assembling of sufficient additional forces.
The basis of all preparations will be to surprise the enemy." (2327-PS).
We have also the order for the invasion of England, signed by Hitler and
initialed by Keitel and Jodl. It is interesting that it commences with a
recognition that although the British military position is "hopeless,"
they show not the slightest sign of giving in (442-PS).
Not the least incriminating are the minutes of Hitler's meeting with his
high advisers. As early as November 5, 1937, Hitler told defendants
Goering, Raeder, and Neurath, among others, that German rearmament was
practically accomplished and that he had decided to secure by force,
starting with a lightning attack on Czechoslovakia and Austria, greater
living space for German in Europe no later than 1943-45 and perhaps as
early as 193 (386-PS). On May 23, 1939, the Fuehrer advised his staff
that
"It is a question of expanding our living space in the East and of
securing our food supplies *********over and above the natural
fertility, thorough-going German exploitation will enormously increase
the surplus."
"There is therefore no question of sparing Poland, and we are left with
the decision: To attack Poland at the first suitable opportunity. We
cannot expect a repetition of the Czech affair. There will be war."
(L-79).
On August 22, 1939 Hitler again addressed members of the High Command,
telling them when the start of military operations would be ordered. He
disclosed that for propaganda purposes he would provocate a good reason.
"It will make no difference he announced, "whether this reason will
sound convincing or not. After all, the victor will not be asked whether
he talked the truth or not. We have to proceed brutally. The stronger is
always right." (1014-PS). On November 23, 1939 after the Germans had
invaded Poland, Hitler made this explanation:
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"For the first time in history we have to fight on only one front, the
other front is at present free. But no one can know how long that will
remain so. I have doubted for a long time whether I should strike in the
east and then in the west. Basically I did not organize the armed forces
in order not to strike. The decision to strike was always in me. Earlier
or later I wanted to solve the problem. Under pressure it was decided
that the east was to be attacked first *********" (789-PS).
We know the bloody sequel. Frontier incidents were staged. Demands were
made for cession of territory. When Poland refused, the German forces
invaded on September 1st, 1939. Warsaw was destroyed; Poland fell. The
Nazis, in accordance with plan, moved swiftly to extend their aggression
throughout Europe and to gain the advantage of surprise over their
unprepared neighbors. Despite repeated and solemn assurances of peaceful
intentions, they invaded Denmark and Norway on April 9, 1940; Belgium,
The Netherlands and Luxembourg on May 10, 1940; Yugoslavia and Greece on
April 6, 1941.
As part of the Nazi preparation for aggression against Poland and her
allies, Germany, on August 23, 1939 had entered into a non-aggression
pact with Soviet Russia. It was only a delaying treaty intended to be
kept no longer than necessary to prepare for its violation. On June 22,
1941, pursuant to long matured plans, the Nazis hurled troops into
Soviet territory without any declaration of war. The entire European
world was aflame.
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