Krafft looked up. At first he glanced around to see if Ewa was to be seen. The he took a second look around to see if anyone was watching him as he pulled the note out and unfolded it.
The note read: “I must see you alone!”
Krafft slowly refolded the note and put it back into his pocket. Then he looked around again to see if Ewa was still amongst the other guests. She wasn’t. He then looked around for Elaine. She wasn’t either.
Goebbels was in his element – surrounded by subordinates, all waiting their turn to give him their reports, all watching his every move, all agreeing with his every word. The other factor contributing to his feeling of joy was the fact that this meeting – and the entire trip – was Top Secret.
“Herr Faust, I believe you have the report on foreign publications.”
The ‘secret trip’ was in fact Goebbels idea, but several other high members of the Nazi party liked the idea and took part as well. It made them appear exclusive to other departments in the party and the Minister of Propaganda was a master at creating appearances.
The general anticipation of the war finally spilling out of the seas and onto the countryside of Poland had created a buzz of excitement in both the civilian and military circles. Expected by the German public at least, this kind of ‘secret meeting’ must take place for all the real important leaders to make the final plans for the next phase of the war.
“…and do we have any of our people who could influence radio broadcasters there?”
The invasion of Denmark and Norway were already finalized, and the ideas of how to knock out France quickly were also nearly done. While the German High Command, under Hitler’s watchful eye and approval of course, were actually the ones responsible for planning these invasions; Goebbels had a brilliant idea that he and several other cronies could ‘appear’ to be taking part in some form of planning.
This ‘secret’ week-long vacation certainly gave the impression to their fellow Nazi associates – and the general public – that they were indeed planning something. Something big. Word quickly spread all over Berlin Goebbels had not been seen after two days. A ‘leak’ from this mountain retreat only spread fuel to the rumors – as planned. The hope was when the action of the next invasion started, appearances would indicate they were “the ones” that planned it.
Propaganda. Goebbels-style.
This was also a chance for Goebbels and his colleagues to have a real vacation – that is, one without their wives – not seen by many in his staff since 1937.
“Ahh… good, good.” Goebbels finally had in his hand what he’d been waiting weeks for. Helmut Haase, who had given him the report, was pleased to make his master happy and clicked his heels as he smartly returned to his seat.
“We have agents in contact with each one of these magazine?”
“Jawol, Herr Minister!”
“Ha!” Goebbels could not contain his delight. “If these numbers are accurate, then we can manipulate almost half of the American public!”
“Jawol, Herr Minister!” Helmut Hasse swelled with pride. Goebbels had an uncanny way of showing his approval when one of his aides turned in a report. Just by his manner, he conveyed to his followers he was giving them the credit for the good news. Naturally those under Goebbels loved this trait, but would feel differently if they knew that when in front of Hitler himself, Goebbels would not mention even one of their names.
“Gentlemen, are there any other areas of the American media we have missed?”
All in the room looked at their notes, then at each other around the table.
“Yes, I believe we have a good segment collected to start with. However, gentlemen, let us keep our minds open in the development of other ways to have the Nazi message heard in America. It is, after all, a rather large country, isn’t it?”
All in the room knew Goebbels wanted laughter by his inflection on the word large. All obliged with chuckles and snickers for the Third Reich’s possible future foe. Although large, it was a common belief the United States would still fall to the march of unstoppable German boots. The Ami’s (as Americans were called detrimentally) after all, were a stupid people.
“Which of these do you think would be most useful?” Goebbels followed up.
Herr Haase took only a few seconds to consider the question. “The astrology and occult magazines, Herr Minister.”
Huge smiles flashed around the table, not in reaction to a good idea, but as a joke.
Goebbels however, was not smiling. His first reaction was to look out the window at the snow covered mountains they were nestled in. Then a very slight smile occurred at the left end of his mouth. The smiles and half snickers from the others subsided immediately.
“Describe how you think such magazines would be useful?”
“Herr Minister, the American metaphysical society is underdeveloped, unscientific, and superficial. They often look to European astrologers, particularly those of us from Germany, for any technical articles…” Herr Haase looked around the room for support, “…mainly since most authors in America only deal in gossip.” Many around the table gave nods of approval. “Also, thanks to the Hamburg School, many American publications consider Germany, to have far more experts in the field of astrology, even more so than England.
“As they should, since it is the truth!” An elderly grey-haired man in civilian clothing stated with much bitterness – for the USA or the United Kingdom – no one knew.
Goebbels however, would turn these facts for use in another idea: German agents in America would submit articles to the American publications as American writers. All of these works would ‘predict’ a pre-arranged date for the Nazi victory over France and later over Great Britain. If a large amount of Americans actually believed that Germany would win the war, this might influence the U.S. Congress not to declare war on Germany when the attack on France and eventually England finally came.
Choosing a date for the fall of France was easy since the plans, timetables and predicted outcomes were already in Goebbels possession. The ‘predicted’ fall of Great Britain would have to wait until several other factors were established.
“Gentlemen!” All of those in the Auslandgedenkenabtielung (Foreign Thought Department) whose job it was to manipulate public opinion in foreign lands could tell by his tone of voice the meeting was coming to an end.
“Gentlemen, I believe we could do with some lunch!” Goebbels almost shouted as if an order.
A moan of approval traveled across the table, as if the very mention by their boss had triggered their minds into realizing they were even hungry. All of the men rose after Goebbels had done so and followed him out of the wooden planked conference room, usually reserved to dancers and entertainment for the many skiers who would come here during the high season.
History would never record this starting point of Nazi manipulation over the naïve American media and public. Also lost in history was the general sentiment of public opinion found American cities before the attack on Pearl Harbor – Ask any American who would probably win a conflict in Europe and 80% would answer Germany. Interesting also was sixty-eight percent of all Americans actually felt the Third Reich had a right to start the war due to the injustices the Treaty of Versailles. These percentages were similar in number whether taken in a poll with Democrats, Republicans or any other political parties, of which the Nazis had one. All these opinions were in part thanks to actions taken from this meeting that just took place.