Extract from a history of German planning for military mobilzation (1920s-1938), including Hitler's target for preparedness by April 1938 and the plans drawn up by von Rabenau and von Bonin

HISTORY OF THE WAR ORGANISATION AND THE SCHEME FOR MOBILISATION.
1. Since under the Treaty of Versailles all preparations for mobilisation were forbidden, these were at first confined to a very small body of collaborators, and were at first only of a theoretical nature. Nevertheless, there existed at that time (in the twenties) : an "Establishment Order" [Aufstellungsordnung] Instructions for Establishment | Aufstellungsbestimmungen] the forerunners of the present day Scheme for Mobilisation, thus : an "Establishment Organisation" [Aufstellungsgleiderung] adaptable "Instructions for Establishment" [veraenderliche Aufstellungsbestimmungen] which were drawn up for each A-year (cover name for Mobilisation year). They were drawn up by Administration Amtmann Heintze attached to the Fleet Division of that time (A.II).
As stated, the "Establishment Organisation (s) " of that time were to be judged purely theoretically, for they had no positive basis in the form of men and materials. They provided nevertheless a valuable foundation for the establishment of a War Organisation as our ultimate aim.
2. The crises between Germany and Poland, which were becoming increasingly acute, compelled us, instead of making theoretical preparations for war, to prepare in a practical manner for a purely German-Polish conflict.
The strategic idea of a rapid forcing of the Polish base of Gdynia was made a basis, and the Fleet on active service was to be reinforced by the auxiliary forces which would be indispensable to attain this strategic end, and the essential coastal and Flak batteries, especially those in Pillau and Swinemuende were to be taken over. Thus, in 1930, the Reinforcement Plan [Verstaerkungsplan] was evolved, consisting of the main part, drawn from the Establishment Order, Part A—Reinforcement Organisation [Verstaerkungsgleiderung] Part B=Reinforcement Regulations [Verstaerkungsbestimmungen] Part C= (Filling of Posts for reinforcement scheme) [Verstaerkungsstellenbesetz-ungen] and Parts D to F (containing special instructions with regard to Air Forces, Intelligence Service and Coastal P.A.D.)
946
C-135
They were drawn up by Oberleutnant zur See (retired) von Rabenau and Amtmann Heintze, under the instructions of Inspecting Officer A. II m. Korvettenkaepitan von Bonin.
3. A fundamental change occurred when Adolf Hitler seized power. Even if the Reinforcement Plan had a positive basis in the form of men and material (it contained only batteries and auxiliary ships which were really prepared and could be made ready for service within 72 hours), the Establishment Plan with its theoretical structure still held good to meet the eventuality of the war not being concluded with the fall of Gdynia. Practical preparations for this, however, are left over till actual mobilisation.
Further, Reichschancellor Adolf Hitler had made a clear political request to build up for him in five years, i.e. by the 1.4.38., Armed Forces, which he could place in the balance as an instrument of political power.
Thus the Establishment Organisation 1938 was evolved as the provisional target of the Navy, drawn up by Oberleutnant zur See (retired) von Rabenau under the instructions of A.IIm. (Fregattenkapitaen von Bonin).