September 11, 1940 – Office of RSHA, Princz-Albrecht Strasse No. 8, Berlin
Heydrich had put on Schubert, he decided he had to hear the Adagio one last time. Outside the gunfire was dying away. He walked over to the corner of his office and took out the record, placing it lovingly on the turntable. As the first violin began to play there was a sharp of an explosion, close but not too close. That, he thought, will be the army bringing up something heavier. His troops were well armed but lacked serious firepower. One of the violins was softly, almost passionately plucked. More gunfire came from downstairs. He walked over to his window and standing just far enough back to avoid a sniper he looked at the street. He could just make out the Potsdamer Platz and could see a number of light tanks forming up. Involuntarily he looked up, the sky was clear, no surprise there the thought. He wondered what price Goering had extracted, he wondered what he would have asked for. Just then there was a shutter in the building and seconds later the blast sound echoed through the building. Now the violins were reaching the end, fitting he thought. He took out this pistol and wondered sighed, it had been a dream, but now the awakening.
September 15, 1940 – Report of Hiroshi Oshima*, Japanese Foreign Ministry
It is therefore the logical culmination of events that those elements inside Germany that had sought an accommodation with the Soviet Union have been removed. My sources in Berlin estimate that the problems of September 11th have been resolved. Director Heydrich is dead and his offices have been distributed to appointees largely under the influence of Reich marshal Goering. Also several party officials have been removed and Chancellor Lutz appears to have a stronger hand both in the capital and the government. I think it important that the government understand the Lutz’s power has moved from a base solely in the army to one that extends to the naval and air forces of the Reich. With the removal of the independent threat of action by the internal security forces only the party has the possibility of removing him, unless his support base fractures.
I also have confirmation that the former German Kaiser will return to Berlin and participate in the announced ‘Victory and Renewal’ parade scheduled for October 1st. While the monarchy enjoys only limited support among the general population he remains a figure of some reverence for much of the senior officer corps. It is likely then that Lutz will attempt to identify the Emperor with the current government either thru restoration or some lower level of recognition. Again Goering seems to be an important figure here. One of my sources stated that Goering himself is going to be associated with the restoration, although again details of the relationship remain unclear. It may well be that the final relationship between Lutz and Goering will determine German policy for quite some time.
September 22, 1940 – London, Prime Minister’s Residence
“And I repeat” continued Churchill “that any accommodation that leaves Germany in possession of its’ continental gains will mean that will be forced to fight her later when she is much stronger.”
The Prime Minister looked up and down the cabinet. He straightened in his chair and began, “It is hard to see how the German position could be much stronger Winston. They have completed control of France and the low countries, they have an armistice with Russia that will likely evolve into a formal partition of Poland, and they have the growing support of near all of the Balkan states. It is therefore the duty of this government to find a way to peace.” Churchill tried to speak but Halifax held up his hand, “No Winston. This government was assembled to save this country.” He nodded to Atlee the Lord of the Privy Seal, who sat to his right. “We need to negotiate now not bluster. As you know Eden at my orders went over to see the Germans to discuss some preliminary matters, let’s hear what he has to say. Anthony the floor is yours…”
Eden began to speak slowly “I would like to stress that much of this is preliminary. Von Papen himself did not meet with me, but his senior staff did discuss the groundwork for an end to the war. Basically there are a few main points that I think we should discuss;
First, as to the French. The Germans are prepared to include a British delegation within the negotiations for a formal peace with France. They have future agreed that they may occur outside either occupied France or Germany. The preferred location is Switzerland, although no firm commitment was made. The major points here will be reparations, disarmament, colonies, occupation and of course the old chestnut of Alsace-Lorraine. The German initial position is flexible and we will have some leverage to preserve France as a strong economic if not military counterweight to the Germans. I think the reparations will be significant, but perhaps limited to something not crippling.
Second, the Belgians and Dutch. Again I think the Germans are more interested in financial reparations and controlling their frontier than any annexation. The colonies are another matters, I expect that trading all or some of the colonial possession will be part of any deal here.
Third, the Poles. The Germans seem fixed on at least restoring the old Imperial boundaries, so Danzig is likely lost. With the Russians taking a good chunk of the East, I don’t think more than a rump state will be left. Our goal will be to achieve maximum independence for the Poles, hopefully outside the Reich. That will be a tricky one as I think even the ‘moderates’ inside the German delegation have little time for the Poles. Any deal here is likely to go poorly for them I’m afraid.
Finally our own position. The Germans made no direct territorial claims. There was some mention of former colonies, but I’m not sure that it wasn’t a stalking horse. They didn’t bring up reparation either so the major sticking point will be getting our army back. They did provide me some figures for the Belgian and Normandy prisoners, they expect after repatriating the wounded that they should have more than half a million Imperial and Dominion troops. They constitute the Germans’ principle bargaining chip here.” He paused “We gentlemen will have to decide just what we are willing to stomach to get them back.”
[FONT="]Oshima had resigned after the signing of the original Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939, seeing it as a betrayal. In fact the pact [/FONT]