Instructions to Raeder on Blomberg's plans for air force and navy operations [in the Rhineland occupation], and Raeder's order for "inconspicuous measures" by the navy in the operation

Berlin W. 35, 6 March 1936 Tirpitzufer 72-76 Telephone B1 Kurfuerst 8191 Reich Minister for War and C in C of the Armed Forces.
WA No. 415/36 Most Secret. L. Ib. S.O. only .
Re: C in C Navy AI Op. Most Secret, dated 6 March 1936 Written by an Officer.
C in C Navy B. Nr. AI op 16/36
To be shown to C in C Navy [pencil note] [illegible notations]
To: C in C Navy
The Minister has decided the following after the meeting:
1. The inconspicuous air reconnaissance in the German Bay, not over the line Texel-Doggerbank, from midday on Z-day onward, has been approved. C in C Air Force will instruct Air Command VI from midday 7 March to hold in readiness single reconnaissance aircraft to be at the disposal of the C in C Fleet.
2. The Minister will reserve the decision to set up a U-boat reconnaissance line, until the evening of 7 March. The immediate transfer of U-boats from Kiel to Wilhelmshaven has been approved.
3. The proposed advance measures for the most part exceed Degree of Emergency A and therefore are out of the question as the first counter-measures to be taken against military preparations of neighbouring states. It is far more essential to examine the advance measures included in Degree of Emergency A, to see whether one or other of the especially conspicuous measures could not be omitted.
By order Sgd. KEITEL
1019
Most Secret Top Military Secret
Berlin 6.3.36
C in C Navy
A.I. op. 100 Most Secret.
S.O. only
Written by an Officer.
[illegible notations]
Special Order.
1. This order will be forwarded by an authorized officer who has been instructed at the same time to pass on verbally procedures pertaining to this order.
2. Until special orders are issued, no measures showing military preparations are to be taken except those instituted by me personally.
3. Measure "Ludolf" Inconspicuous air reconnaissance in German Bay, carried out under S.O. Naval Air Forces in accordance with the instructions given by Fleet Command. Not over the line from Texel to Doggerbank and out of sight of land.
C in C Air Force, will issue instructions to Air Command VI and to S.O. Naval Air Forces, who will carry out the duties allotted by the Fleet.
Measure "Urian" Setting up a U-boat reconnaissance line F.O. U-boats in accordance with the instructions given by Fleet Command. Out of sight of land and not further west than Hook of Holland—Lowestoft. The measure is to be carried out unseen.
4. After the entry has been made (7 March—Z day 1200), the following measures are to be taken:
a. There must be a staff-officer continually on watch at all higher staffs. The C.O.'s must be available at all times.
b. Military leaders as far as and including Flotilla-leaders are to be informed verbally and in detail, and the importance is to be stressed of keeping to the regulations issued by me in this order.
c. As far as this is possible by inconspicuous measures such taking over fuel, remaining in port instead of putting out to sea etc., the state of readiness may be increased.
d. Until further orders are issued, no measures except possible safety measures considered to be required, must be taken which could show outwardly any military preparations in case a conflict should arise, i.e. recall from leave, strengthening the watches, cessation of dockyard work, conspicuous movement of troops.
5. After the entry has been made the attention of the troops is to be drawn to the significance of the day by means of the
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Fuehrer's speech and the official publications. Troops are to be informed that I expect the Navy responsibly conscious of the leader's decision, not to give a false picture to foreign nations of the Fuehrer's intentions and thereby render peaceful action more difficult, by celebrating and making a show of their war enthusiasm. ' ,
Their troops are to be instructed by their immediately superior officer. No special concentrations under higher ranking Commanding Officers are to take place.
6. As soon as specific advance measures are necessitated by the fact that neighbouring countries have become aware that military measures are being taken, special instructions will be issued. They will presumably be limited at first to the following measures, which can be prepared in great secrecy by the staffs:
a. Increasing the state of readiness of the Fleet (fuel, provisions, materials, personnel).
b. Concentration in assembly ports (focal point the North Sea as nothing can be expected at first from Russia owing to the ice).
c. Equipping of U-boats for duties in distant sea-areas (focal point channel, possibly single boats in the Eastern Baltic). (Marginal note: Equipping with "DE" for warfare in the Atlantic.)
d. Strengthening the air defense by manning the most important batteries with active personnel, drawing on the local reserve personnel.
e. Preparation of important auxiliary ships (mine-layers, etc.).
f. Increased measures for guarding (Reinforced Frontier Guard Control Service (coastal) etc.).
g. Preparation of protective barrages (keeping ready materials, preparing orders). Cessation of dockyard work and/or speeded-up completion of ships lying in the dockyard.
h. Assignment of reconnaissance staffels of the operational Air Force. Confidential instruction to shipping companies to delay German ships putting out to presumably enemy countries, until the situation permits a clear ruling being made.
7. Queries from shipping concerns, regarding the attitude to be assumed, can be answered as follows until new orders of 7 March. 1200 are issued:
At present, there is no cause to take special precautionary measures or to alter sailing plans.
C-in-C Navy [illegible notations!
693259-~4fi—«5
1021
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Distributions
Flotilla leader ............................Copy No. 1
Admiral Commanding in the Baltic............Copy No. 2
Admiral Commanding in the North Sea..........Copy No. 3.