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Translation of document C-6
Berlin, 30.12.1939. Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. No. 222 48/39 Most Secret, S.O. only WFA/Section L.I. 10 Copies 5th Copy. Subject: Intensified Measures for Sea and Air Warfare in connection with Fall “Gelb.” In addition to the instructions directly concerned with Fall “Gelb” which have already been issued for the Navy and Air Force, the following intensified measures for the conduct of sea and air warfare come into force with the start of operations in the West: 1. The Navy will approve the sinking without warning of all ships by U-boats, in sea areas off the enemy coasts where it is possible to use mines. In this case outward appearances should create the impression that mines have been used. U-boats should bear this in mind when taking action and using arms. [Red pencil note referring to underlining.] This would be an undesirable limitation. [Note in green pencil referring to red pencil note-] Not intended to be. The C-in-C of the Navy decides on the exact limits of these areas, and give notification of them via the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces. 2. As long as army operations in the West are in progress the Air Force has the following tasks: (a) To give direct support to these operations (Directive No. 6 section 4) In doing so it is important to attack, outside the actual theater of operations, troop transports from England to France, Belgium or Holland, including ports of embarkation and disembarkation, as well as British air force ground installations in the home country itself, which are used as bases for operations against the continent. (b) To tie up as strong forces as possible of fighter aircraft in the British homeland. It is not in keeping with the whole conduct of the war, however, to unleash the full force of aerial warfare on our own initiative, before we have created for ourselves favorable conditions for it, and before there are strong forces available suitable for operations against Britain. For this reason, attacks also, which imperil to any great extent the civilian population, are to be reserved for cases which demand reprisals. Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces Keitel. [The following note is added “Superseded by OKM No. 22010/ 40 Most Secret. WFA/L I 6 dated 17.1.40, Skl I Op 64/40 la J18/c".]