The French viewed their Indochina colonies, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, as economically important to them. They had been controlled by France since the end of the nineteenth century. There was, however, a history of rebellion in Vietnam, the last such major episode being only ten years earlier in 1930.
Von Altendorf wondered if they were worth the trouble of fighting for. There were, after all, only thirty four thousand French civilians living in the region. But the French were the French!
He carried on speaking. “China has requested that our two countries establish embassies. They are seeking a much closer relationship with Germany. I recommend that we do this. There will be protests from the Japanese, of course.
The Chinese have also requested military aid from us. Ostensibly to defend themselves against the Japanese, but I believe a portion of any such aid would be used to defeat the communist rebel army in their country. This may be something we would like to consider as I believe we have a considerable number of surplus European War tanks and aircraft that we are disposing of.
While a communist China is perhaps not likely in the near future, perhaps we should give some thought to the ramifications of such a large country becoming wholly communist. The consequences of the world’s most populous nation turning to communism are frightening.”
Over the next fifteen minutes he answered various questions on details, and replied to comments made. It was noted that Goering said nothing.
It was agreed to exchange ambassadors with China. Their request for military aid would be given serious and urgent consideration. The threat of a communist China must be taken seriously.
Germany had had good relations with China prior to 1937. It had been co-operation between the two countries that helped with the modernisation of China’s industry and armed forces. This was in return for the supply of raw materials by way of a barter agreement, similar to the way they were now doing business. Indeed, in 1936 China was briefly the third largest trading partner with Germany.
On the outbreak of the war between China and Japan in July 1937, Adolf Hitler chose Japan. He saw Japan as more militarily capable and hence more desirable as an ally against the Soviet Union. Despite this, there was still contact between Germany and China, with elements on both sides wishing to resume co-operation. This was now happening.
The Minister of Economics now spoke. He commented on the ongoing financial stability of Germany now that there was no war, and no massive rearmament program making great demands on the economy. He was satisfied with the progress being made.
A minor point he made was the establishment of a bank specifically to provide finance to small businesses on more favourable terms than the normal banks. Small businesses were a big factor in job creation. This bank would also look sympathetically at viable business applications from citizens previously wrongly interned in the camps. The Jews had lost much under the Nazis. The new German government had a duty to make amends.
He was followed by the Interior Minister. As always his report was factual and brief. There were still problems in certain areas under his jurisdiction but good progress was being made on all fronts. He had, however, finally found two prospective candidates that he considered ideally suited for the positions of Justice Minister and Minister for Food and Agriculture. He had prepared detailed analysis’ of these individuals for the Council’s consideration.
Of minor interest to the Council at this stage was Speer’s short report on nuclear fission. A nuclear programme had been started in 1940, only months after the discovery of nuclear fission by German scientists in December 1939. It had, however, eventually been assessed by the previous regime that it could not make any significant contribution in the near term towards fighting the war in Europe that was then current.
The number of scientists working on applied nuclear fission then began to diminish. The army relinquished control to the Interior Ministry in September 1940, on the basis of nuclear fission being considered only for future potential energy production. Speer recognised its potential and now wanted to expand the programme.
This was approved.
Now it was the turn of the Minister of defence.
The reorganisation of the navy had been discussed and agreed at previous meetings. There was nothing over-complicated here that warranted the Council’s attention.
There was nothing much new to report on the army either, other than that several designs for a new standard automatic rifle were expected to be available for field testing in the next few weeks. If the tests were satisfactory, one of the designs would be used to re-equip the German army. The current bolt action rifle was an old design, and although it had given great service over the years, it was time to move on.
The Luftwaffe was next on the agenda. Whenever von Brauchitsch spoke about the Luftwaffe he inevitably attracted comments from Goering. As a previous Aviation Minister — and Great War pilot — the Field Marshall imagined himself to be an expert on all things involving aircraft. In fact his record told a very different story.
Von Brauchitsch informed the Council that the review of the Luftwaffe was now complete. The main points were that the well proven Messerschmitt ME109 would continue to be the main fighter aircraft for a maximum of the next two years. This machine would be subject to continual upgrading during this period, but at the same time, production of new machines would be scaled back.
The aim was to replace it with a jet powered fighter in about two years. The plans for this aircraft, the ME262, were first drawn up in April 1939 and development was now being given priority. He did not mention it, but this was the same aircraft that Goering had cut back on development only the previous February.
The same plan was to be adopted for the Junkers JU88 bomber. Tenders will be invited from the aviation industry for designs of a jet powered high speed medium bomber/reconnaissance aircraft which would eventually replace the piston engine Junkers.
The current transport aircraft, the Junkers JU52, would remain in service as the workhorse of the Luftwaffe for the immediate future. Replacement for this was not a priority.
All Dornier and Heinkel aircraft currently operational were to be withdrawn from service immediately. They were considered to be inadequate for the Luftwaffe’s current needs, let alone future demands.
The remaining various makes and models would be relegated for training and gradually phased out and sold or scrapped.
Lastly. Two items considered to be of great future importance.
Germany’s rocket research centre, under the direction of the brilliant Professor Werner von Braun, was to be significantly expanded and given further funding, with the aim of developing rockets as weapons. Perhaps the weapons of the future.
Von Braun was only twenty eight years old. He was effectively in charge of the team of scientists engaged in the military development of rockets at a large, dedicated facility built at Peenemunde, on a remote stretch of northern Germany’s Baltic coast. Von Braun’s own personal dream was space travel. He already had long term plans for a manned flight to the moon. His vision knew no bounds.
A related subject to the rocket research was the development of ‘stand-off bombs’ by the Luftwaffe. The previous year a ‘radio guided glide bomb’ known as ‘Fritz-X’, had been successfully tested. This weapon allowed an aircraft to release it towards a target, probably a ship, at a distance that enabled the aircraft to stay out of range of anti-aircraft fire. There were still problems to be ironed out, but its potential was exciting.