Minutes of a meeting of Raeder and Hitler, with Hitler's approval of "a general intensification of the War," including the treatment of Greek merchant ships near England as enemy vessels, and attacking without warning all ships in the Bristol Channel

MEETING BETWEEN C-IN-C NAVY AND THE FUEHRER.
30.XII.39
(See the report of the meeting in War diary, Part C, Vol. 7
KTB Teil C. Heft 7—for separate items of the meeting) Special points:
1. Reference to the necessity of attacks by the G.A.F. on trade traffic in the Downs (as it is under the Command and protection of the British Navy) C-in-C, G.A.F. will obtain the Fuehrer's decision in his own time. The Fuehrer, in agreement with Chief of the Naval War Staff, considers it necessary to give previous warning to the neutrals.
2. The Fuehrer confirms the intention of making a proclamation at the time of a general intensification of the War. The Chief of the Naval War Staff requests that full power be given to the Naval War Staff in making any intensification suited to the situation and to means of war. The Fuehrer fundamentally agrees to the sinking without warning of Greek ships in the American prohibited area and of neutral ships in those sections of the American prohibited area in which the fiction of mine— danger can be upheld, e.g. the Bristol Channel.
The Fuehrer is reserving the publication of the law in reply to the order in council until the moment of the intensification of the war.
3. The considerate treatment of friendly neutrals is to be continued. 4
4. The Fuehrer agrees that no guarantee can be given to the Italians, that their trade traffic with Britain may be carried on with safety, owing to mining.
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