MOST SECRET
Fuehrer's Headquarters, 12 May 1941
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFSt/Section L (I Op)
No. 44699/41 most secret, S.O. only
S.O. only; access only through officer 18 copies, 12th copy
Subject: Deception of the enemy
Reference: OKW/WFSt/Section L (I Op.) No. 44277/41 most secret, S.O. only, dated 12,3,41
1. The second phase of the deception of the enemy commences with the introduction on 22.5. of the full capacity timetable. The efforts of the Supreme Commands and of any other authorities concerned must be aimed, more and more, at making the strategic concentration "Barbarossa" appear as a large-scale maneuver and also to continue the preparations for the attack on England with special energy. The following is the principle to be applied: the nearer the day of attack approaches, the more intensive methods can be employed (also in the communications service) for deception purposes.
2. All efforts will be in vain if our own units are aware of the approaching attack and spread news of it at home. On the contrary, the rumor of the "rear cover against Russia" and of the "feint assembly of forces in the East" must be circulated, and/or the troops on the Channel coast must believe in actual preparations. In this connection, deadlines and the extent of army postal restrictions are important. They are to be regulated for the whole Armed Forces by the Supreme Command of the Army (in cooperation with the other branches of the Armed Forces and Ausl./ Abw). It will be advantageous to issue orders for transport to the West to as many Eastern units as possible and thereby to give rise to a new wave of rumors.
3. If the occasion arise, Operation Merkur is to be utilized in the communications service by the preparation of the slogan: "Crete was the general try-out for the landing in Britain!"
876—PS
4. OKW (WFSt/Section L) will shortly increase the deception
by having several ministries concerned with preparations for Britain. This is to be utilized by Ausl./Abw. in the communications service (counterespionage).
5. Political steps for the deception of Soviet Russia have been taken and are further being considered.
Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] KEITEL.
Certified a true copy [signature illegible]
Captain.
TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 876-PS
Date: Date Unknown
Total Pages: 2
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: PS-876
HLSL Item No.: Unknown