Extracts from two speeches, on Germany's unity Hitler and the military's loyalty to Hitler (after the assassination attempt), and an article on the introduction of the "German salute" in the military as a sign of loyalty to Hitler and the party

THE ARCHIVE [Das Archiv]
[April 1948, v.109, p. 24]
Bestowing the Oak Leaf to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Wp.2.4.43
"During the month of April the Fuehrer bestowed upon the following members of the Wehrmacht the Oak Leaf to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross—vgl. Wp. S. 1047 (Bd. 108) : "On the 6th of April: . . . Grossadmiral Doenitz, Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy, as no. 223."
*******
[August 1943, v.113, p. 336]
Proficiency Contest of the Hitler Youth Mariners Ba.1.8.43 "The presence of Grossadmiral Doenitz, who, together with Reichs Youth Leader Axmann, addressed the young soldiers of the Navy and the soldiers of tomorrow of the Hitler Youth Mariners, emphasized the close ties between the Armed forces and the National-Socialist movement."
* ******
[January 1944, v. 118, p. 758]
Order of the Day of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy
Wm. 1.1.44
The Commander in-Chief of the Navy, Grossadmiral Doenitz, released the following order of the day to the Navy on the New Year.
To the Navy!
"An iron year lies behind us. It has hardened us Germans as no other generation before us. Whatever else fate might have in store for us in the coming year, we shall endure it, united in will, steadfast in loyalty, fanatical in belief in our victory.
The struggle goes beyond freedom and right for our people. It will see us relentless against our enemies.
540
2878—PS
The Fuehrer shows us the path and the goal. We follow him with love and life to a great German future.
Hail, our Fuehrer!"
[signed] DOENITZ, GROSSADMIRAL ' Commander-in-Chief of the Navy
[March, 1944 v. 120, pp. 928-929]
Grossadmiral Doenitz speaks on Heroes' Day Wa. 12.2.44
The Commander-in-chief of the Germany Navy, Grossadmiral Doenitz, spoke on Heroes' Day over the radio to the German people. His speech had the following content:
"Gebman men and women!
* * * What would have become of our country today, if
the Fuehrer had not united us under National-Socialism! Split into parties, beset with the spreading poison of Jewry and vulnerable to it, and lacking, as a defense, our present uncompromising world outlook, we would long since have succumbed to the burdens of this war and been subject to the merciless destruction of our adversaries * *
[July 1944, v. 124, p. 260]
Speech of Grossadmiral Doenitz to the Navy 21 July 1944
"Men of the Navy! Holy wrath and unlimited anger fill our hearts because of the criminal attempt which should have cost the life of our beloved Fuehrer. Providence wished it otherwise —watched over and protected our Fuehrer, and did not abandon our German fatherland in the fight for its destiny.
An insane small clique of generals which has nothing in common with our gallant army contempleted this murder in cowardly faithlessness committing the basest oftreachery toward the Fuehrer and the German people. These scoundrels are only the instruments of our enemies whom they serve without character, with cowardice and misguided cleverness.
The truth of the matter is that their folly is unlimited. They thought by ridding us of our Fuehrer they could free us from our hard but unavoidable fight for our destiny. But in their blind, timid stubbornness they did not see that their criminal deed would have led us into terrible chaos and delivered us defenseless to our enemies. Destruction of our people, enslavement of our men, hunger and nameless misery would have been the consequence. Our people would have experienced an indescribable period of misery much more cruel and difficult than the hardest time which our present struggle can bring.
We will take care of these traitors. The Navy remains faithful to its oath in proven loyalty to the Fuehrer, unconditionally
633258-46-35
541
2878-PS
prepared for engagements and battles. It takes orders only from me, the supreme Naval commander, and from its own military leaders in order to guard against being misled by false instructions. It will recklessly destroy anyone who shows himself to be a traitor.
Long live our Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler!" * * *
[July 1944, v.* 124, p. 262]
Introduction of the German Salute into the Armed Forces
24 July 1944
"The Reichsmarshal of greater Germany, in his own name as well as the names of General Field Marshal Keitel and Grossadmiral Doenitz, reported to the Fuehrer that all branches of the armed forces on the occasion of his escape (from assassination) have requested that he should allow the German salute to be introduced into the armed forces as a token of their unbreakable faith to the Fuehrer and the closest union between the armed forces and the party."
"The Fuehrer granted the request of the armed forces and gave his approval.—Replacement of saluting by raising the right hand to the head gear with saluting by rendering the German salute was made effective immediately."