ADSS 1.241 Maglione to Micara: German invasion expected

ADSS 1.241 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Clemente Micara, Belgium

Reference: Telegram 23 (AES 495/40)

Location and date: Vatican, 09.01.1940

Summary statement: German invasion of Holland expected for mid-February.

Language: Italian

Text:

Following coded telegram 64 (1) I inform Your Excellency that news from sources which seem reliable (2), give mid-February or even before as highly probable date of offensive against Holland.

Your Excellency is requested to use this information very cautiously and eventually in turn request extreme caution.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.239

(2) See for example Llwellyn Woodward (1962) British Foreign Policy in the Second World War, HSMO, London, p34.

ADSS 1.239 Micara to Maglione: Belgium fears German invasion

ADSS 1.239 Clemente Micara, Belgium, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State

Reference: Telegram 64 (AES 495/40)

Location and date: 05.01.1940

Summary statement: Belgium fears a possible German invasion and asks the Vatican for information.

Language: Italian

Text:

Belgian Government received serious information according to which Belgium and Holland could in very near future be exposed to German attacks.  Government here would be extremely grateful to receive confidential and secret information as to whether the Holy See has received any intimation of this kind (1). 

Notes: 

(1) Several days later on 10.01.1940, Joseph Berryer (1897-1978), Counsellor of the Belgian Embassy in Berlin (1937-40), handed a verbal note of protest the Head of Political Division II at the Foreign Office, Emil von Rintelen (1897-1981), against German reconnaissance flights over Belgium by the Luftwaffe. DGFP, Series D, Volume 8, n528, pp514-15. At the same time Hitler ordered suspension of invasion plans for the Low Countries and France because sensitive information had been seized in Belgium after a Luftwaffe plan crashed landed.  Belgium formally notified Germany that it had the invasion plans on 17.01.1940.

NB: ADSS records the recipient of the Belgian complaint as Ernst von Weizsäcker.

ADSS 1.238 Maglione to Micara: Christmas truce appeal failed

ADSS 1.238 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Clemente Micara, Belgium.

Reference: AES 9358/39

Location and date: Vatican, 31.12.1939

Summary statement: Pope tried to obtain a Christmas truce without success.

Language: Italian

Text:

Your Excellency’s report number 16.776 regarding the Christmas truce arrived here on the evening of 25 December, together with the enclosed letters of Count Capelle (1)

I might add however that in observance of the Revered orders of the Holy Father this Secretariat of State had taken the necessary steps to bring about the total suspension of hostilities during Christmas Day.

But the Supreme Pontiff’s fatherly initiative has not been accepted and the beneficial results which were expected from it have unfortunately been frustrated.

Notes: 

(1) Micara forwarded a letter of Robert Capelle (1889-1974), secretary of King Leopold III (1934-47) which in turn was a request from the Florez Fund (146 rue de l’Universite, Paris) asking for a Christmas truce.  Domenico Tardini wrote on the letter: “It arrived on Christmas Day – 26.12.39 – To be answered.  Received 25^th evening.  The Holy See has already taken the initiative for the truce but …” On the subject of the truce there was also the letter of Abbot Primate Fidelis de Stotzingen (1871-1947) of Sant’ Anselmo, Rome (1913-47).

ADSS 1.217 Micara to Maglione: mediation offer from Belgium and Holland

ADSS 1.217 Clemente Micara (1), Belgium, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State

Reference: Telegram 61, (AES 8123/39)

Location and date: Brussels, 08.11.1939

Summary statement: Appeals by the monarchs of Belgium and Holland came as a result of German threats.

Language: Italian

Text:

I learn from very good source that new offer of good offices for peace negotiations made by Sovereigns Belgium Holland is (?) due strong action German ambassador (2).

The latter, while blaming neutral states for not having supported peace offers contained in notable speech of Chancellor of the Reich, warned them about grave consequences which continuation conflict would bring them (3).

Belgian Government has taken new internal measures to reinforce defence preparations (4).

Notes: 

(1) Clemente Micara (1879-1965), Nuncio to Belgium and Luxemburg, 1923-50.

(2) Vicco von Bülow-Schwante (1891-1970), German Ambassador to Belgium 1938-40.

(3) The German press had been publishing “warnings” to the neutral states to ignore the British blockade of Germany since the beginning of the war. E.g Chicago Tribune, 17.09.1939.

(4) Jacques Henri Davingnon (1887-1965), Belgian Ambassador to Germany 1935-40, had learned of German invasion plans,

ADSS 1.177 Micara to Maglione: peace efforts from Belgium

ADSS 1.177 Clemente Micara, Belgium, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram – without number, (AES 5968/39)

Location and date: Brussels, 01.09.1939

Summary statement: Belgian Prime Minister (1) promises to do his best to support the Pope’s efforts for peace.

Language: Italian

Text:

Yesterday’s coded message received. (2) I have immediately spoke with the Prime Minister about Your Eminence’s action, and he promises he will do his utmost to support it, if and when circumstances permit.

He has again expressed his gratitude and admiration for the Holy Father’s efforts in favour of peace.

Notes: 

(1) Hubert Pierlot (1883-1963), Prime Minister of Belgium 1939-40 and then with Government-in-exile in London 1940-45.

(2) ADSS 1.160