Hitler's Table Talk

466 TRUTH IN WEHRMACHT COMMUNIQUÉS
There are two lessons to be learned from this episode:
1. Germany is scrupulous about the truth. But she must not
be too pedantic where truth is concerned. I am frequently
receiving reports from the front to the effect that the troops,
reading the cautious and carefully weighed phrases of the
official communiqué, often feel that the full extent of their
efforts has not been appreciated at Headquarters.
2. Once one is convinced of a fact—be it of a political or a
military nature—one must proclaim it throughout the world.
This is the only way in which such consummate hypocrites as
the British can be made to confess the truth.
211 8th May 1942, midday
The rôle of Crete—No German fleet in the Mediterranean.
I do not intend to make Crete into a German strong-point.
If I did, I should have to keep a German fleet in the Mediterranean,
and that would create a perpetual danger of conflict
with Turkey. Our retention of Crete, in the eyes of the Turks,
would be merely the opening gambit in a struggle for the
control of the Dardanelles. In the circumstances, the most we
shall do in Crete after the war will be to maintain a centre for
our Strength through Joy organisation.
212 8th May 1942, evening
Secret Sessions of the British Parliament.
The Fuehrer drew attention to the fact that the British Parliament
had already held about twenty Secret Sessions. He added:
Up to the moment we have not heard a word about what
occurred at these Sessions. This is a powerful tribute to the
solidarity which unites the British people.
213 nth May 1942, at dinner
A national sanctuary for our great men—The German
sense of family.
It is perfectly natural that a people should have the wish to
see the great men of the nation reposing in some sort of national