: According to our calculations the convoy will
be within our air-force range in forty or fifty hours.
Everything must be ready by then.
: Herr Reichsmarschall, what if the con-
voy should attempt a landing in Africa?
: I am convinced that it will try to land in
Corsica, in Sardinia, or at Derna or Tripoli.
: More likely one of the ports of North
Africa.
: Yes but not French North Africa.... If the
convoy could be given a severe thrashing, the coun-
tries in Africa will get a very different picture of the
situation and this would reduce the effect of the de-
feat [at Alamein]. Therefore the Führer has asked me
to tell you that this convoy battle is first and foremost.
If the convoy should be beaten, decimated, destroyed,
dispersed, then [Rommel’s] defeat will have no more
importance than a tactical breakthrough which in
fact it is for the time being.
Tomorrow you are to deliver an appeal to your
troops stating that their actions, their capacity for sac-
rifice, their courage, their stamina will redound to the
glory of the German Air Force. Tell them that I ex-
pect every German airman to do his utmost, even the
supreme sacrifice. The convoy is to be attacked with-
out pause, day and night, wave after wave.
When the airmen load their bombs, tell them their
job is to attack the aircraft carriers so that the planes
can’t land or take off. Next, hit the troop transports:
materiel without men is worthless.
No other operations are to take place beside those
against this convoy. It is the most important convoy.
It is Number One. You are to direct the operations
against it in person.
: Yes, sir.
: I wish you all the best and am with you con-
stantly in my thoughts.