PROCLAMATION OF THE FUEHRER TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE, 6 APRIL 1941
[Documents Concerning the Conflict with Yugoslavia and Greece
(Dokumente zum Konflict mit Jugoslawien und Griechenland)
Berlin, 1941, Page 2.]
From the beginning of the struggle it has been England's steadfast endeavour to make the Balkans a theatre of war. British diplomacy did, in fact, using the model of the World War, succeed in first ensnaring Greece by a guarantee offered to her, and then finally in misusing her for Britain's purposes.
The documents published today afford a glimpse of a practice which, in accordance with very old British recipes, is a constant attempt to induce others to fight and bleed for British interests.
In the face of this I have always emphasized that—
(1) The German people have no antagonism to the Greek people, but that
(2) We shall never, as in the World War, tolerate a Power establishing itself on Greek territory with the object, at a given time, of being able to advance thence from the south-east into German living space. We have swept the northern flank free of the English: we are resolved not to tolerate such a threat in the south!
In the interests of a genuine consolidation 6f Europe, it has been my endeavour, since the day of my assumption of power, above all to establish a friendly relationship with Yugoslavia. I have consciously put out of mind everything that once took place between Germany and Serbia. I have not only offered the Serbian people the hand of the German people, but, in addition, have made efforts as an honest broker to assist in bridging all difficulties which existed between the Yugoslav State and various nations allied to Germany.
537
Extract from a proclamation (upon the beginning of the Balkan campaign), on the need to prevent a Greek-British alliance, and Germany's earlier wish for "a friendly relationship" with Yugoslavia
Authors
Adolf Hitler (Fuehrer, Reich Chancellor, Supeme Commander of Wehrmacht)
Adolf Hitler
Austrian nationalized German politician, leader of the National Socialist party and dictator of Germany (1889-1945)
- Born: 1889-01-01 1889-04-20 (Braunau am Inn) (country: Austria-Hungary; located in the administrative territorial entity: Archduchy of Austria above the Enns; statement is subject of: Adolf-Hitler-Geburtshaus)
- Died: 1945-04-30 (Berlin Führerbunker) (country: Nazi Germany; located in the administrative territorial entity: Berlin; statement is subject of: death of Adolf Hitler)
- Country of citizenship: Cisleithania (period: 1889-04-20 through 1918-11-11); First Republic of Austria (period: 1919-01-01 through 1925-04-30); Nazi Germany (end cause: death of Adolf Hitler; period: 1933-01-30 through 1945-04-30); Republic of German-Austria (period: 1918-01-01 through 1919-01-01)
- Occupation: painter (statement is subject of: paintings by Adolf Hitler); political writer; politician (reason for preferred rank: generally used form); soldier
- Member of political party: German Workers' Party (period: 1919-09-12 through 1921-07-11); Nazi Party (series ordinal: 556)
- Member of: Nazi Party
- Participant in: Aktion T4; Beer Hall Putsch; The Holocaust; ethnic cleansing
- Significant person: Albert Speer; Benito Mussolini; Eva Braun; Joseph Stalin
Date: 06 April 1941
Literal Title: Extract from Proclamation of the Fuehrer to the German People 6 April 1941
Total Pages: 1
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: TC-93
Citation: IMT (page 1147)
HLSL Item No.: 450900
Document Summary
TC-93: Proclamation of the Fuehrer of the German people, 6 April 1941.