Army plans and orders for the invasion of Poland, with cooperation of the air force and navy

. TOP SECRET [Rubber Stamp]
Top Secret only via officer [Rubber Stamp]
21 copies Proof No. 21
PART A SECTION I
INTENTION OF THE ARMY HIGH COMMAND [Ob.d.H.] AND ORDERS
1. Intention of the Army High Command The object of the operation is to destroy the Polish Armed Forces. High policy demands that the war should be begun by heavy surprise blows in order to achieve quick results. The intention of the Army High Command is to prevent a regular mobilisation and concentration of the Polish Army by a surprise invasion of Polish territory and to destroy the mass of the Polish Army which is to be expected to be west of the Vistula-Narev line. This is to be achieved by a concentric attack from Silesia on one side and Pomerania-East Prussia on the other side. The possible influence from Galicia against this operation must be eliminated. The main idea of the destruction of the Polish Army west of the Vistula-Narev Line with the elimination of the possible influence from Galicia remains unchanged even if advanced preparedness for defense on the part of the Polish Army, caused by previous political tension, should have to be taken into consideration. In such a case it may be a question of not making the first attack mainly with mechanized and motorized forces, but of waiting for the arrival of stronger, non-motorized units. The Army High Command will then give the correspondingly later time for the crossing of the frontier. The endeavour to obtain a quick success will be maintained.
The Army Group Commands and the Army Commands [A.O.K.] will make their preparations on the basis of surprise of the enemy. There will be alterations necessary if surprise should have to be abandoned: these will have to be developed simply and quickly on the same basis: they are to be prepared mentally to such an extent, that in case of an order from the Army High Command they can be carried out quickly.
2. For the execution of these missions, Army Group South, consisting of the 14th, 10th and 8th Armies, and Army Group North, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Armies, are formed. For distribution of forces see Sections II and III.
3. First Missions of Army Group South. Army Group South attacks from Silesia with the concentration of strong forces (10th Army) between Zawiercie and Wielun in the general direction of
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Warsaw, scatters opposing Polish forces, and occupies as early as possible and with forces, as strong as possible, the Vistula on both sides of Warsaw with the aim, to destroy the Polish Forces, still holding out in Western Poland, in cooperation with Army Group North.
4. First Mission of Army Group North. Army Group North, beginning with Y-day, will establish the connection between the Reich and East Prussia, by cooperation of Pomeranian and East
Prussian forces. '
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6. Cooperation of the Air Force. The Air Force will, beginning
with Y-day, attack and destroy the Polish Air Force and its ground installations. * * *
7. Cooperation of the Navy. The navy will keep open the sea-lanes to East Prussia, as well as blockade Gdynia and the bay of Danzig.
8. Crossing the Reich Frontier. Army High Command (Ob.d.H) will order Y-day and the hour. With this time the crossing of, as well as flying over the Reich frontier by units of the army and units of the Luftwaffe, subordinated to the army, is permissible.
Supreme Commander of the Air Force will fly over the border with units of the Air Force at the same time.
All previous border violations are prohibited. The border guard,
whose posting will follow X-order, is to be co_mmitted if necessary. * * * * * * *
/s/ BRAUCHITSCH.