Handelsblatt, Monday, 22 January 1945
Bremer Nachrichten, Tuesday, 23 January 1945
The corvettes
Dachs,
Frettchen,
Gepard and
Hyäne have finished their operational training and have taken up their duties with the Seventh Escort Group at Bremerhaven.
Krakow (Poland), Wednesday, 24 January 1945
“So,” thought Jan Pajak, spymaster extraordinaire, “that is their policy?”
He read with interest the report from Lonkowski’s sub-agent Griebel, a well-placed member of the German parliament, on the policy formulated by the German Government vis-à-vis Poland. Frankly Pajak was doubtful that what he read was the whole story; Griebel, no matter how well connected, could know everything.
“Germany intends to pursue a course of peaceful economic penetration and infiltration,” the report read. “Firms are to be encouraged to seek investment opportunities in existing Polish companies and to create new ventures as the opportunity exists. The Schichau investment in Polski-Diesel is in keeping with this policy. The Reichsbank will make credits available to firms pursuing such investments.”
This much Pajak had to admit made sense. It was the policy Germany had pursued in Czechoslovakia and in Hungary – indeed, across the Balkans. He continued reading. “Discussions are underway between the Mannesman Group and the management of the Fitzner and Gamper boiler works in Warsaw.”
“But what of the military?” Pajak wondered. Economic power was one thing, military might another. Griebel’s report said nothing on that. It was, of course, his first report, and the précis of German economic strategy was useful. He made a mental note to demand information about German military and political policy towards Poland; he needed to know the enemy’s intentions.