Memorandum on a conversation with Ambassador Attolico (Italy) on the timing of any German action against Czechoslovakia, and the assurance that Italy would be informed promptly

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Authors

Joachim Ribbentrop, von (Minister for Foreign Affairs (1938-45))

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Joachim von Ribbentrop

German Foreign Minister of Nazi Germany (1893–1946)

Image of Joachim Ribbentrop, von
  • Born: 1893-04-30 (Wesel)
  • Died: 1946-10-16 (Nuremberg)
  • Country of citizenship: Germany
  • Occupation: diplomat; politician
  • Member of political party: Nazi Party
  • Member of: Schutzstaffel; Travellers Club
  • Participant in: International Military Tribunal (role: defendant)
  • Military rank: Oberleutnant

Date: 23 August 1938

Defendant: Joachim Ribbentrop, von

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-2791

Citation: IMT (page 2340)

HLSL Item No.: 451901

Notes:Another copy of PS 2791 had been entered as US exhibit 86; this copy was used with the same exhibit number.

Trial Issue

Wars of aggression

Document Summary

Staff Evidence Analyses

PS-2791: Photostatic copy of Ribbentrop's record re request of Mussolini to be informed about Czech invasion

Red Series Doc Descriptions

PS-2791: Memorandum by Ribbentrop, 23 August 1938, on a discussion with ambassador attolico: Mussolini requests previous notification in case of German action against Czechoslovakia

[GERMAN FOREIGN OFFICE MINUTES OF CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN RIBBENTROP AND ATTOLICO, THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR. INITIALED BY RIBBENTROP.]
On the voyage of the Patria Ambassador Attolico explained to me that he had instructions to request the notification of the contemplated time for German action against Czechoslovakia from the German government. [Originally reads : "that Mussolini had authorized him to request"; but has been changed to read as above.]
In case the Czechs should again cause a provocation against Germany, Germany would march. This would be tomorrow, in six months or perhaps in a year. However, I could promise him that the German government, in case of an increasing gravity of the situation or as soon as the Fuehrer made his decision, would notify the Italian Chief of government as rapidly as possible. In any case, the Italian government will be the first one who will receive such a notification.
23 Aug. 1938 R [initial]