WesWorld

Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Saturday, 1 January 1944

Shipyards across northern Germany saw activity today as no fewer than twelve new frigates of the Klagenfurt class were laid down. These ships, of near destroyer size, are intended to sail with the striking forces of the Kriegsmarine and provide defence against the threat of enemy aircraft and submarines. The construction of sixteen such vessels has been authorised for this year by the Reichstag, and the remaining four vessels will follow as soon as material for their construction can be assembled.


Emder Zeitung, Sunday, 2 January 1944

Yesterday saw the commencement of construction of two new vessels for the Kriegsmarine at the shipyards of Wilhelmshaven. The offshore patrol vessels Roter Löwe and Goldener Löwe are most unusual vessels, strengthen for ice navigation, and will be employed to cruise the North Atlantic in fulfillment of Germanys obligations to the International Ice Patrol, as well as supporting scientific and weather research in the Arctic regions. It is expected that the vessels will enter service some time in the spring of 1945.


Wien, Monday, 3 January 1944

The besieged Von der Heydt and his companions are rescued from the hostile desert tribesmen by the miraculous appearance of a band of mountain warriors. In Die Letzte Chance (The Last Chance), the most recent number of the comic-magazin series, the hero finds himself exchanging one set of enemies for another, and the mountain warriors are dedicated to keeping the secret of the treasure of Alexander  and they are determined to assure that Von der Heydt does not leave the ruined fortress alive.

Kieler Nachrichten, Tuesday, 4 January 1944

Despite the stinging cold of winter preliminary work has begun at the Flensburger Schiffsbau on construction of patent slips and other infrastructure suitable for construction of naval vessels. The long-established Flensburg shipyard has heretofore concentrated its activities on building merchant vessels but has received a contract from the Defence Ministry to expand its capabilities to meet the growing needs of the Kriegsmarine. The programme of works calls for the eventual construction of two patent slips of 120-metres length and two floating dry docks of similar size.


Headquarters, Wehrkreis X, Hamburg, Wednesday, 5 January 1944

As a student at the University of Heidelberg Leutnant Walter Schellenburg had shown some skill in amateur theatrics, and his ability to play a part had served him well in his career in the Abwehr. In his current assignment, at least, he could maintain the decorum belonging to an officer of the Heer. He had formally reported to the staff two days ago, and was still accustoming himself to his surroundings; yet someone within sight of his desk was a traitor, a source of information for the British secret service, a threat to national security. While others continued to investigate the background of all the officers assigned to the Artillery Section, he was to observe their day-to-day conduct for anything abnormal.

Thus far he had little to go on. His fellow officers appeared efficient, thorough, precise in thought. The files that crossed his desk, and the desks of the other officers in the section, bore many tid-bits of information that could be useful to a foreign intelligence agency. Some of them would wonder aloud of the implications of the delivery of additional 15-centimeter howitzer shells to a depot at near Verden, or the importance of a delivery status report from Alkett on spare parts for the "Wespe" mobile gun. If anything struck Schellenburg out of the ordinary it was the behavior of Hauptmann Edmund Jahnke, an older officer with a dour demeanour - for he never speculated aloud, and if he joined in any conversation that sprang up, it was primarily to listen. He seemed unusually focused on his work.

It was something Schellenburg made a mental note of.


Göttinger Tageblatt, Thursday, 6 January 1944

London, St. James's Club, 106 Picadilly, Friday, 7 January 1944

For Major Lorand Utassy de Uljak, military attache of the Hungarian embassy in London, an evening at his club was usually a profitable venture in one way or another. While it was by no means a gambling den, the Hungarian - an inveterate card player - could usually count on winning a small sum over a quick game of poker or whist. Moreover, in a place filled with the diplomats of many nations, he often picked up tidbits of information that proved useful to him professionally; or, less often, he shared information in the hopes of gaining a return in the future. It was all part of the game of being an official spy.

He also had the club to thank for his current mistress, a young lady named Nadya Gardner, who worked for the British War Office. The previous summer they had been introduced at one of the club's many social gatherings, and he had taken advantage of her friendship to insinuate himself into her affections. She was now completely under his spell, and had proven to be an extremely valuable source of information from British intelligence. They would be meeting later that evening, and for the moment, he was merely idling while reading the evening edition of The Times.


Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Saturday, 8 January 1944

"That is about all I have observed so far sir," concluded Leutnant Walter Schellenburg.

Von Podewils was not entirely happy with the young officer's verbal report. "There are twenty-two potential traitors in that office - and the amount of information leaking from it seems to grow day by day. From the dossiers, there is nothing that stands out as unusual."

"And I have not observed any serious abnormalities either Herr Oberstleutnant," Schellenburg replied. "Most of the officers in the section are efficient, intelligent and attentive to their duties." He paused, "But there is one who could be considered overly attentive."

Schellenburg went on to give his impressions of Jahnke - quiet, usually engrossed in his work, an older man, probably passed over for promotion but retained because of his good qualities behind a desk. "He volunteered to work as duty officer today in order that Leutnant Schmidt could be with his wife in hospital - she just had a child."

Von Podewils picked up a dossier from his desk. "Yes... he was passed over for promotion in 1942 despite an otherwise excellent record, and in 1940 as well. His efficiency reports are excellent but... ah, 'Jahnke seems to lack that spark of imagination that makes a true staff officer'. He might harbour ill feelings."

"Well he might," Schellenburg agreed. "I am scheduled as duty officer tomorrow. It will give me time to more thoroughly examine all that Jahnke has been working on."


Das Andere Deutschland, Sunday, 9 January 1944

It is clear that the Government will stoop to using any excuse to justify its continued spending on armaments. We deplore the fact that a small band of misguided proletatians would attack the bastions of plutocracy in Monaco. But how is the construction of masses of warships to be justified? To defend the nation against the possibility of aggression. What enemies does the Reich have? We are allied with France and Russia, we have non-aggression agreements with nearly every other nation in Europe. Yet we spend millions of Reichsmarks on ships, aeroplanes and panzers. Madness... it is sheer madness!

Das Andere Deutschland is an independent, Socialist, pacifist newpaper, and does not in any way represent the opinion of the German Government.

Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 10 January 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced that Jagdgeschwader 6, presently equipped with the Heinkel He100, will be the first unit to receive the new BFW Bf262 "Schwalbe" reaction-jet fighter aircraft. It is expected that the first aircraft will be delivered to the unit some time in March of this year.


Nürnberger Nachrichten, Tuesday, 11 January 1944




Kieler Nachrichten, Wednesday, 12 January 1944

The Kriegsmarine survey ship Meteor has arrived at the port of Bora Bora in the French Society Islands in the eastern Pacific. The Meteor is presently engaged in hydrographic and geological survey tasks, and it is expected that she will continue her westward cruise for an extended period.

Frankfurter Zeitung, Thursday, 13 January 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced that a contract has been placed with the Mauser Works for a quantity of its G11 rifles; these weapons are to be procured on behalf of the Kriegsmarine, and will be issued to the Marinelandungsverband. Quantities procured were not announced at this time, though well informed sources suggest that the contract involves the supply of several thousand weapons, with deliveries commencing sometime before the end of this year.


Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Friday, 14 January 1944

Von Podewils had spent most of the week quietly checking the backgrounds of each of the officers assigned to the Ordnance Staff of Wehrkreis X; not merely their official personnel files but verifying such details as their finances, their families, their friends and contacts, searching for anything out of the ordinary, something that might indicate who among them might be leaking secrets to a foreign power. To suggest such about a German officer was in many ways distasteful, but that was von Podewil's duty. He also had the reports from Schellenburg, and these helped to shape his inquiries.

Of the twenty-two officers, the only one who appeared in any way to suggest irregularities was one Hauptmann Edmund Jahnke. Son of a military family whose father had died in the Great War, he had a sound if undistinquished reputation as a staff officer. He had been passed over for promotion several times, but had - apparently - never voiced dissatisfaction. He was the father of a large family - the oldest son had just entered university at Gottingen. And that was what caught von Podewils attention.

A careful review of banking records suggested that Jahnke was living somewhat beyond the means of an officer of the Heer. With no family wealth Jahnke was dependent upon his pay and allowances, which, while generous, would be hard pressed to support no less than six children, let alone the fees for a first-rank university. There were no obvious outward signs of wealth, but the small things added up to more than could be legitmately accounted for.

"Schellenburg reported that he found several files unrelated to Jahnke's current assignments checked out to him," von Podewils mused. "As if he were doing research outside his normal scope of duties."

As a good Abwehr officer, von Podewils was suspicious of people who strayed outside their expected areas of interest.


Eisenbahn Kurier, Saturday, 15 January 1944

Berlin, Cabinet Situation Room, Sunday, 16 January 1944

Weser Seeflughafen, Hamburg, Monday, 17 January 1944

Kapitän zur See Martin Harlinghausen, commander of Marine-transportstaffel 321, was checking the loading of his Bv222 'Wiking' flying boat, manifest in hand. Despite the need for haste in forwarding relief supplies to Argentina it was necessary to assure that all the cargo being loaded was properly distributed and stowed, and that the passengers, some of whom were already boarding, did not upset the balance of the huge aircraft. Once she had been the pride of Deutsche Lufthansa, carrying the national standard on the premier North Atlantic route - now, stripped of her fine furnishings, she served the needs of the Kriegsmarine for long-distance troop and cargo transport. And this was the hour for her to shine, and Harlinghausen was determined that his unit would live up to the challenge they faced.

"Herr Kapitän," cried his flight engineer through the hatch. "Our last passengers have boarded; we are ready to close up and begin preparations for takeoff."

"Yes, I will come," Harlinghausen replied. The hour was growing late and he had to be airborne before sundown; a night takeoff for such a large aircraft as the Bv222 was unthinkable.

In the cockpit he went through the preflight checklist with his second pilot. Elsewhere in the aircraft the eighty-four passengers - a score of experts from the construction trades, a medical team from the Heer's Eingreifdivision, a dozen fresh-faced volunteers from the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst, and an advanced party of Luftwaffe fitters and maintenance personnel - made themselves comfortable for the long flight. The aircraft's cargo holds were chock full of medical supplies, concentrated rations, and emergency rescue equipment. She nudged her weight limit quite closely.

Clearance came from Seeflughafen control, and Harlinghausen slowly taxied the flying boat to her launch position. Then, revving the engines to maximum power, he took her into the wind and began the long dash across the water, urging the heavily loaded aircraft aloft. At last she broke free and began to gain altitude, and Harlinghausen made a long turn to point her towards her first destination, Tangier in French Morocco, where she would refuel for the next stage of her journey.


The Cafe Ruszwurm, Budapest, Tuesday, 18 January 1944

Erich Lahousen waited patiently for his contact, secure in the belief that the venality of the Hungarian secret service would tempt could be overcome. He, not Farkas, has proposed the meeting, and it was meant to be the first step in expanding the exploitation of the Hungarians' Source Merlin. For his part, Lazlo Farkas was not late, as he often was. His interest was piqued by Lahousen 's invitation as, for the moment, he had nothing to offer the Abwehr resident.

"Welcome," said Lahousen as he saw, "I have already ordered you favorite coffee."

To Farkas, Lahousen seemed uncommonly jovial and friendly. "Thank you," he replied. "What residual Christmas spirit calls you today?"

The normally dour Lahousen smiled. "Indeed, it is the Christmas spirit that brings me here," he replied as Farkas sat down. He then picked up a small gift-wrapped box from the seat beside him. "My superiors in Berlin have asked me to deliver this to you, with our thanks."

Farkas accepted the box gravely, and immediately put it on the seat next to him, out of sight. He wondered what it might contain but did not even think to open it in the cafe. "Please express my appreciation to them," he said in a non-committal fashion.

Their conversation continued in guarded tones, which led Farkas to believe that the German Abwehr was making an overture to him, and through him to his superiors, for the supply of more information gleaned by the Hungarian military intelligence network. To Farkas it seemed as if the wily Admiral Canaris had read his thoughts about an alliance of intelligence services. The contents of the box, perhaps, would overcome the scruples of Colonel Homlok.


Emder Zeitung, Wednesday, 19 January 1944

The Kriegsmarine advanced base ship Moon-sund departed here today for Argentina, where she will provide assistance to relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the city of San Juan. She carries work parties and heavy equipment from Marine-Bau-Abteilung 311, medical personnel and several thousand tons of relief supplies.

Frankfurt, Thursday, 20 January 1944

Oberst Josef Kögl, commander of the Second Group, Transportgeschwader 1, had briefed his crews that morning for the mission they would now embark on. It would require care and stamina as well as good planning. The twenty-seven Ar232 transports of his group would be executing a long distance flight to Cordoba, in Argentina, to support relief efforts in the wake of the devastating San Juan earthquake. Units of the First Group, Transportgeschwader 1, had already begun to ferry supplies and ground crews to some of the intermediate airfields that would be used; others had been forwarded via the slim air bridge provided by the Kriegsmarine's huge Bv222 flying boats or Ju390 airliners provided by Lufthansa.

His aircraft, like that of the rest of the group, was carrying a maximum fuel load, and little else save the personal gear of the crew. Their flight would take them to Tangiers, in French Morocco, and from there to the Atlantean airstrip at El Aaiun; thereafter it would be a flight to Dakar, in French Senegal, before the long hop across the Atlantic from Dakar to Natal, in Brazil. From Natal they would fly to Rio de Janeiro, and finally on to Cordoba, where they could finally begin serious work.

Kögl's earphones crackled. "Emil-Emil you are cleared to taxi."

"At last," thought Kögl, "clearance from the tower." He nodded to his co-pilot and pulled back on the throttle and released the aircraft's brakes. Slowly the Arado began to move down the taxiway towards the end of the runway, followed in turn by the other twenty-six transports that would comprise the mass flight. At the end of the runway Kögl brought his ship into the wind and throttled the engines to maximum. At a signal from the tower he released the brakes, and the transport rushed down the tarmac, gaining speed. In a moment the Arado was aloft, and the co-pilot retracted the undercarriage. In a long climbing turn Kögl set course for their first intermediate stop.


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Friday, 21 January 1944

The aircraft carriers Wallenstein and Pappenheim formally joined the striking force of the fleet today, having completed their trials and working up. Achored alongside their elder cousins Graf Zeppelin and Peter Strasser they seem diminutive, but they none the less represent a mighty step forward in the reconstruction and reorientation of the Kriegsmarine. Their arrival is doubly significant following upon yesterday's ceremonies in which two more aircraft carriers, the Karl der Große and the Friedrich Barbarossa, were laid down in Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven respectively. The Kriegsmarine now has four aircraft carriers in commission, two more - the great Scharnhorst and Gneisenau - presently undergoing trials, and four aircraft carriers under construction.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Saturday, 22 January 1944

The unprecedented international response to the tragedy of the Argentine San Juan Earthquake continues to bring relief and reconstruction to the hard-struck region. The Government has pledged five million Reichsmarks in immediate aid, and has set in motion an air bridge to carry the most needed supplies as rapidly as possible, using transport aircraft provided by the Kriegsmarine and the Deutsche Lufthansa. Among the equipment being carried is a fully equipped and staffed surgical hospital, drawn from the staff of the First Fallschirmjägerdivision. Other supplies have already been sent by sea - including food, clothing and tentage for emergency shelters. Today the Government announced that the Reichsbank has established a credit of twenty million Reichsmarks for purposes of reconstruction. The outpouring of private contributions has been no less amazing. The Evangelical, Catholic and Reformed churches have come forward with hundreds of thousands of Reichsmarks in contributions in cash and in kind, and the ranks of individual doners lengthens day by day.

The Cafe Ruszwurm, Budapest, Sunday, 23 January 1944

Captain Lazlo Farkas had been delighted by the 'Christmas present' that Lahousen had delivered but a few days before. Two thousand English pounds was a small fortune in a country like Hungary, and it was clear that the sum was not for Farkas alone. It was obviously meant as an overture, and that was how he had presented it to his superior, Colonel Homlok. The latter had agreed that perhaps it was time for the two nations' intelligence services to informally cooperate, with due care, in the event that political winds should rise to stormy levels.

Lahousen entered the cafe and saw his contact already seated at a corner table. He wasted no time in joining him. "You called?" he asked.

"I wanted to thank you for your kind gift," Farkas replied. "It was most generous."

"Not at all," said Lahousen. "You have been very cooperative and courtesy demands something in return."

"Then you will fiind the item on the editorial page quite interesting," the Hungarian suggested. "If so, I think my superiors would like to meet you in more - shall we say - 'discrete' circumstances." With that, he passed over a newspaper, stood, nodded and walked off.

Casually Lahousen unfolded the newspaper and found an envelope taped to the editorial page. Without looking further, he refolded the paper, left some coins on the table to pay for Farkas' cup of coffee, and left for his embassy post-haste. The latest from Source Merlin required immediate action.


Nachrichten für Außenhandel, Monday, 24 January 1944




Argentinisches Tageblatt (Cordoba), Tuesday, 25 January 1944

Ongoing efforts to bring relief and hope to the desperate residents of the city of San Juan continue. The air bridge carrying personnel and cargo from Europe and America, established by French, German, British and American flyers, continues to deliver more and more invaluable supplies such as medicine, surgical teams, and vital equipment. French and German air transport crews have joined those of our own Air Force in air-dropping supplies to beleaguered survivors, while on the ground personnel work around the clock to repair airfields damaged by the earthquake in order that supplies can be directly airlifted into the devastated area. Among the recent arrivals is an entire transport group of the German Luftwaffe, whose powerful Arado transports are making up to three sorties per day, per aircraft, dropping vital personnel and supplies. The Argentine people are duly grateful to the generous outpouring of assistance from around the world and give thanks for the assistance rendered in their hour of need.

Abwehr Headquarters, Berlin, Wednesday, 26 January 1944

Wilhelm Canaris sat at his desk with the latest information from Source Merlin spread before him. He found the British War Office's assessment of the recent Avantguardia attack on Monaco somewhat amusing; the British seemed quite willing to accept the Italian protestations of innocence and play down the threat such stateless terrorists might pose to civil society. Officially his government too had accepted the Italian explanation of their failure to intercept the Avantguardias before they struck; he did not rate the Italian secret service so poorly. The two reports from British military attaches in China were of some interest.

Of far greater interest to Canaris was the summary of aircraft deliveries by the Focke Wulf concern - covering the last eighteen months they were too accurate to be estimates; it implied that the British had a spy inside one of Germany's premier aircraft plants, one who could provide accurate production and technical data. To the spy the British had once had in the Krupp factory, and to the spy they still seemed to possess within the staff of Wehrkreis X, there could now be added a third individual. Professionally, Canaris was impressed; he wished that the Abwehr had developed such a wide-flung network inside the British defence establishment, but previous governments had dismissed the idea. That could now change. First, however, he would have to deal with uncovering the British spy ring and destroying it.


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Thursday, 27 January 1944

The Kriegsmarine survey ship Meteor has arrived at Papeete in French Polynesia, to take on supplies before continuing its cruise of scientific exploration of the Pacific Ocean. The Defence Ministry has disclosed that the Meteor will call in other French possessions in the southwest Pacific, including Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and New Caledonia, before continuing its research in the islands of Pacifica.


Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Friday, 28 January 1944

Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Saturday, 29 January 1944

Oberstleutnant Anton von Podewils was not happy with the latest information from Berlin. Source Merlin had revealed the existence of another English spy, apparently associated with the Focke Wulf plant in Bremen. Thus far he had made little progress in discovering the identity of the English spy withing the Wehrkreis staff; and now he had to find another. The circumstance did offer the possibility of finding common links and perhaps unraveling the entire English spy ring, but the task ahead of him was daunting. He turned to his assistant.

"Schellenburg, are you any more certain of Jahnke's possible involvement in this matter?"

"I have gone over the reports he has prepared for the staff, and the files he has checked out for research," replied the junior officer. "When compared with the information supplied by Source Merlin they dovetail exactly. He has also developed an interest in panzers - the other day he started up a conversation with some of the officers of the Panzertruppen section of the staff on the new Standardpanzer."

"You have previously told me that Jahnke tends to keep to himself," von Podewils said with surprise.

"That is quite true," Schellenburg continued. "It is not characteristic of him; and his 'fishing expedition' was rather clumsily managed, despite the volubility of the other officers engaged in the conversation."


Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Sunday, 30 January 1944

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry expressed the Government's satisfaction with the peaceful resolution of the question of the status of the Togo Mandate and the other colonial territorial questions outstanding between the Republic of France and the United Kingdom.

"The German Government is confident that the inhabitants of the several territories in question - Togo, Chad and the New Hebrides - will prosper under the tutelage of their new governors," he said. "Germany hopes that there are minimal disruptions, and that markets will remain open to all nations."


Militär-Wochenblatt, Monday, 31 January 1944

The Deschimag shipyard complexes in Bremerhaven and Cuxhaven have seen much activity in recent days. Today saw the launch of no fewer than four of the new Leopard class corvettes - Dachs, Frettchen, Gepard and Hyäne, while last week four other ships of that class - Jaguar, Tiger, Iltis and Lowe were completed; these have now embarked on their trials. It is expected that the final quartet of the Leopard class vessels will be laid down in the early spring.

Wien, Tuesday, 1 February 1944

In the final number of the current story arc of the comic-magazin 'Von der Heydt', Ein Glückliches Ende (A Happy Ending), the hero discovers among the treasures of Alexander the Great a scroll of prophecy, wherein it is foretold that a stranger will bright to light the secret of the treasure and its meaning for the world. Armed with this information Von der Heydt negotiates with the mountain warriors bent on his destruction, saving the lives of his companions and assuring the revelation of treasure to the world.


Sächsische Zeitung, Wednesday, 2 February 1944

The Defence Ministry has awarded the Junkers firm a contract for the supply of forty long-range air freighter derivitives of the Junkers Ju390 civil airliner, to be known as the Ju390C. These aircraft will feature strengthened floors for the carriage of cargo, an enlarged freight-handling door and will be rapidly convertable to carry troops or casualty litters. Initial deliveries are anticipated to begin in April of this year. At the same time, the Ministy also awarded to Junkers a contract to study the design of a larger, long-range transport aircraft. Further details have not been released.


Emder Zeitung, Thursday, 3 February 1944

The Admiralstab of the Kriegsmarine has announced formation of Marine Panzer Abteilung 501, at Jever, near Wilhelmshaven. The unit will be equipped with an amphibious version of the Panzerkampfwagen IV, and will operate in support of units of the Marinelandungsverband.

Der Soldatenfreund, Friday, 4 February 1944




Rostocker Zeitung, Saturday, 5 February 1944

The heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper has completed her refit and has begun her post-refit shakedown; she is expected to rejoin the fleet in a matter of days.


Münchener Post, Sunday, 6 February 1944

There are reports from unidentified sources in Berlin that the Government is considering further draw-downs in the active element of the Heer. These reports remain unconfirmed at this time.

Kieler Nachrichten, Monday, 7 February 1944

The coastal forces depot ships Benjamin Raule and Rudolf Bromme have completed their trials and are ready to take up their duties supporting the light attack units of the Kriegsmarine. Converted from small merchant vessels, these new depot ships are intended to provide support facilities and crew amenities for units detached from local bases.


Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, Tuesday, 8 February 1944

The Defence Ministry has announced the selection of the submission of the Bayerischen Flugzeugwerke AG design as the winner of the Luftwaffe's competition for a new advanced trainer. Known as the Bf243, the design will feature a tricycle undercarriage and large radial piston engine, conferring on the design much enhanced capabilities for training a new generation of pilots.


Abwehr Outstation Hamburg, Wednesday, 9 February 1944

At last Anton von Podewils felt he had caught a break. His discussions with senior officials at the Focke Wulf plant in Bremen had yielded a small crop of suspects in the matter of the apparent English spy in their midst. He had three individuals to investigate - Karl Friede, who worked in the production planning section and was known to his associates as a ladies man - always a black mark in von Podewils' book; Kurt Lindbert, a junior engineer who had studied at Cambridge and who frequented Socialist political rallies; and Richard Eilers, a senior inspector at the plant, who, von Podewils discovered, was well known to the bookmakers of Bremen and Hamburg as one of their better customers - a perennial loser at betting on horse races. All three could be vulnerable to pressure by the English secret service. To investigate them, as well as continue his pursuit of the spy within the staff of Wehrkreis X, he would need more manpower; thus it was that he found himself drafting a coded cable to Berlin, requesting assignment of several additional officers. He hoped that Admiral Canaris would grant his requests.

Frankfurter Zeitung, Thursday, 10 February 1944

The Defence Ministry has issued a requirement to industry for development of a long-range cargo carrying aircraft for the Luftwaffe. The parameters specified include a minimum of four engines, a minimum range of 3,000 kilometers while carrying a load of 15,000 kilograms, and a maximum load capacity of 18,000 kilograms. Proposals are to be submitted by January 1945, after which an initial evaluation will select one or more projects for further development.


Kleine Zeitung, Friday, 11 February 1944




The Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest, Saturday, 12 February 1944

It was a quiet Saturday morning as Erich Lahousen made his way along the promenade that overlooked old Buda, the Danube, and old Pest beyond. He found it odd that Farkas had asked for a meeting here; it seemed too public, but then, it may have a special meaning to Hungarians. For all the time Lahousen had spent in Budapest, there were aspects of the Hungarian psyche he did not quite grasp. In the distance he spied Farkas, and there was a second, older-looking man beside him. "This," Lahousen thought, "is unexpected."

As he walked up Farkas extended his hand. "Herr Lahousen," he said, "allow me to introduce Colonel Homlok, my superior." Lahousen drew himself up and nodded (to have clicked his heels and saluted would have been quite foolish). "Herr Oberst," he acknowledged.

Homlok nodded in turn, and went straight to business. "Captain Farkas has told me of your interest in the products of the service under my direction, and he has suggested to me that an agreement might be arranged with the service you represent regarding a mutually beneficial exchange. I hope that this might be so."

This was music to Lahousen's tone-deaf ears. "Yes Herr Oberst, it would be so. My superiors in Berlin have been quite impressed with the quality of the product of your service, and are desirous of entering into such an exchange."

"Good," replied Homlok. "I want a monthly subsidy of one hundred thousand Reichsmarks." He had gone straight to the heart of the matter.

Lahousen raised an eyebrow. "I am not authorised to commit to a sum that high," he answered, "but it is my belief that my superiors would agree to it in exchange for full access to information obtained by your service. If you will permit, I shall advise them of your terms."

"Please do," replied Homlok.

Quoted

Originally posted by BruceDuncan
Frankfurter Zeitung, Thursday, 10 February 1944

The Defence Ministry has issued a requirement to industry for development of a long-range cargo carrying aircraft for the Luftwaffe. The parameters specified include a minimum of four engines, a minimum range of 3,000 kilometers while carrying a load of 15,000 kilograms, and a maximum load capacity of 18,000 kilograms. Proposals are to be submitted by January 1945, after which an initial evaluation will select one or more projects for further development.

France submits the N.1515 Noratlas.

The French submission is duly noted.