January 20, 1922
Berlin, Germany
Manfred von Richthofen prepared to deliver his weekly address, as he had discussed with Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck he was focused on the Reichswehr. "People of Germany by now I am sure that you are aware that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has been appointed as the new commander of the Reichswehr. It is refreshing to see that our government had the good sense to appoint a Commander who cares about Germany, who cares about our armed forces and cares about the future of the German people. If the French newspapers can be believed, and I actually think they can this time, the Entente is not happy with the appointment of Generaloberst von Lettow-Vorbeck. He is the only General from the Great War that the Entente cannot lie about and claim to have defeated in battle. Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has an unblemished record of victory and the Entente is scared to have him back on active duty. The brave volunteers of the Reichswehr can look forward to continued excellent leadership and they can look forward to the day when the chains of the Versailles Treaty will be taken off and the German Army can rise from the ashes more powerful than ever. There is no doubt that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck is the right man, in the right place, at the right time to lead the German Army out of the wilderness and back to its rightful place as the best Army in the world. The German people should be proud of the brave volunteers that serve in the Reichswehr. These brave men serve Germany during our darkest hour; at any moment the French could choose to invade us, for any reason, or for no reason at all. Look at what they did last year when they destroyed three German cities because we dared to complain to them that paying them their extortion money would destroy our economy. You can be sure that if another invasion comes Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck will not allow them to invade unchallenged."
"People of Germany I challenge you to stand up and support the brave soldiers of our Reichswehr and the brave sailors of the Reichsmarine. They are there every day, outnumbered and outgunned, but still bravely standing guard over Germany. Veterans of Germany I challenge you to continue to serve Germany by joining the Arbeits-Kommando. These brave veterans are serving Germany every day by providing for Germans in need, by providing community policing helping to keep our streets safe from the violent communists and anarchists. They provide humanitarian assistance for our citizens who are still suffering in the Ruhr cities shelled by the French criminals. The Arbeits-Kommando are always looking for veterans who have honorably served Germany to continue to serve the Fatherland. Out in the Baltic the Reichsmarine stands guard over the sea approaches to the Fatherland. Just like the Reichswehr they are outnumbered and outgunned but they are there, ready to give their lives to protect the German people. Today I am asking you to support our brave German soldiers and sailors, remember that they continue to serve Germany during her darkest hour."
"In France they know that the German soldiers, sailors and veterans continue to stand guard over us. They continue to fear us and do everything in their power to keep us under their boots. When the announcement was made that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was appointed the new commander of the Reichswehr the condemnation from the French and British cowards came loudly and quickly. First came the lies that the General's appointment means that the DNVP is running the German military. We know that is a lie! The Generaloberst is no longer a member of the DNVP; he resigned as leader of the party and even gave up his membership in the party. Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck is no longer associated with the DNVP, he is only a proud German officer serving the Fatherland. The second lie came from the British; they accused the Generaloberst of using ungentlemanly tactics during his victorious campaign in Africa. What an ungentlemanly lie! The British are only upset because they could not defeat the Generaloberst despite their application of overwhelming force. The British had to beg the Generaloberst to surrender and after he was informed of the armistice, he surrendered. The Generaloberst surrendered, but he did so as an undefeated German General. In over four years of war, with no reinforcement or resupply he constantly defeated and confounded forces many times larger. I suppose if I was British I would be upset and afraid too."
"I know that many of you are wondering what the future of the DNVP is now that we have lost the leadership of Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. I can assure you that the goals of the DNVP remains unchanged. We are committed to a peaceful restoration of the monarchy and we are committed to the restoration of Germany's territory and colonies that were stolen from us at Versailles. The DNVP is still here and stronger than ever and despite the lies that have been spread about us we are committed to peaceful change and to working within the limits of the law and the constitution. We are working for Germany and for the German people and we will continue to do so. Thank you Germany for your attention."
This radio address marks the first time that Manfred von Richthofen had devoted so much of his time talking about the German armed forces. The seeds were being planted by Manfred von Richthofen to cement the German people to their armed forces..........to be continued.
*The DNVP hoped to elevate the status of the Reichswehr in the minds of the German people.
Berlin, Germany
Manfred von Richthofen prepared to deliver his weekly address, as he had discussed with Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck he was focused on the Reichswehr. "People of Germany by now I am sure that you are aware that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has been appointed as the new commander of the Reichswehr. It is refreshing to see that our government had the good sense to appoint a Commander who cares about Germany, who cares about our armed forces and cares about the future of the German people. If the French newspapers can be believed, and I actually think they can this time, the Entente is not happy with the appointment of Generaloberst von Lettow-Vorbeck. He is the only General from the Great War that the Entente cannot lie about and claim to have defeated in battle. Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck has an unblemished record of victory and the Entente is scared to have him back on active duty. The brave volunteers of the Reichswehr can look forward to continued excellent leadership and they can look forward to the day when the chains of the Versailles Treaty will be taken off and the German Army can rise from the ashes more powerful than ever. There is no doubt that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck is the right man, in the right place, at the right time to lead the German Army out of the wilderness and back to its rightful place as the best Army in the world. The German people should be proud of the brave volunteers that serve in the Reichswehr. These brave men serve Germany during our darkest hour; at any moment the French could choose to invade us, for any reason, or for no reason at all. Look at what they did last year when they destroyed three German cities because we dared to complain to them that paying them their extortion money would destroy our economy. You can be sure that if another invasion comes Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck will not allow them to invade unchallenged."
"People of Germany I challenge you to stand up and support the brave soldiers of our Reichswehr and the brave sailors of the Reichsmarine. They are there every day, outnumbered and outgunned, but still bravely standing guard over Germany. Veterans of Germany I challenge you to continue to serve Germany by joining the Arbeits-Kommando. These brave veterans are serving Germany every day by providing for Germans in need, by providing community policing helping to keep our streets safe from the violent communists and anarchists. They provide humanitarian assistance for our citizens who are still suffering in the Ruhr cities shelled by the French criminals. The Arbeits-Kommando are always looking for veterans who have honorably served Germany to continue to serve the Fatherland. Out in the Baltic the Reichsmarine stands guard over the sea approaches to the Fatherland. Just like the Reichswehr they are outnumbered and outgunned but they are there, ready to give their lives to protect the German people. Today I am asking you to support our brave German soldiers and sailors, remember that they continue to serve Germany during her darkest hour."
"In France they know that the German soldiers, sailors and veterans continue to stand guard over us. They continue to fear us and do everything in their power to keep us under their boots. When the announcement was made that Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck was appointed the new commander of the Reichswehr the condemnation from the French and British cowards came loudly and quickly. First came the lies that the General's appointment means that the DNVP is running the German military. We know that is a lie! The Generaloberst is no longer a member of the DNVP; he resigned as leader of the party and even gave up his membership in the party. Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck is no longer associated with the DNVP, he is only a proud German officer serving the Fatherland. The second lie came from the British; they accused the Generaloberst of using ungentlemanly tactics during his victorious campaign in Africa. What an ungentlemanly lie! The British are only upset because they could not defeat the Generaloberst despite their application of overwhelming force. The British had to beg the Generaloberst to surrender and after he was informed of the armistice, he surrendered. The Generaloberst surrendered, but he did so as an undefeated German General. In over four years of war, with no reinforcement or resupply he constantly defeated and confounded forces many times larger. I suppose if I was British I would be upset and afraid too."
"I know that many of you are wondering what the future of the DNVP is now that we have lost the leadership of Generaloberst Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. I can assure you that the goals of the DNVP remains unchanged. We are committed to a peaceful restoration of the monarchy and we are committed to the restoration of Germany's territory and colonies that were stolen from us at Versailles. The DNVP is still here and stronger than ever and despite the lies that have been spread about us we are committed to peaceful change and to working within the limits of the law and the constitution. We are working for Germany and for the German people and we will continue to do so. Thank you Germany for your attention."
This radio address marks the first time that Manfred von Richthofen had devoted so much of his time talking about the German armed forces. The seeds were being planted by Manfred von Richthofen to cement the German people to their armed forces..........to be continued.
*The DNVP hoped to elevate the status of the Reichswehr in the minds of the German people.