ADSS 1.279 Maglione to Giobbe: no news on a German invasion

ADSS 1.279 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Paolo Giobbe, Netherlands.

Reference: Telegram 17 (AES 3068/40)

Location and date: Vatican, 10.04.1940

Summary statement: Holy See has no information about an imminent invasion.

Language: Italian

Text:

Coded telegram 49 received (1).  No news here regarding imminent invasion of Holland, although future danger cannot be excluded (2).

Notes:

(1) ADSS 1.278.

(2) Germany invaded Denmark and Norway on 08-09.04.1940.  Denmark surrendered on 10.04.1940.

ADSS 1.278 Giobbe to Maglione: German attack imminent?

ADSS 1.278 Paolo Giobbe, Hague (1), to Luigi Malgione, Sec State

Reference: Telegram 26 (AES 3068/40)

Location and date: The Hague, 09.04.1940 (arrived Rome 10.04.1940)

Summary statement: Request for information about an imminent German attack against Holland.

Language: Italian

Text:

Events which have taken place lately, and news received, trouble this Government which, fearing imminent invasion by German troops has taken serious and urgent measures.  In the supposition that the Holy See is able to give some information about this supposed threat, this Government asks me to address myself to Your Eminence for advice.  Please telegraph reply (2).

Notes:

(1) Paolo Giobbe (1880-1972) Internuncio to the Netherlands 1935-58.

(2) Pasquale Diana (1890-1970) Italian Ambassador to The Hague, 1938-40, commented on 11.04.1940 of the unease of Dutch political circles in the wake of the German invasion of Norway on 08-09/04.1940.  DDI, Series 9, Volume 4, n47, pp33-34.

ADSS 1.244 Maglione to Giobbe: rumours

ADSS 1.244 Luigi Maglione, Sec State, to Paolo Giobbe, Netherlands

Reference: Telegram 16 (AES 496/40)

Location and date: Vatican, 15.01.1940

Summary statement: Rumours of an imminent German offensive against Holland or the Maginot Line (France).

Language: Italian

Text:

Received coded telegram 25 (1).  In answer to enquiry from Diplomat here reply was given that there are rumours of an offensive taking place towards the middle of February or even before either against Maginot Line or Holland.  It has been added that it is not possible to check the substance of such rumours.  Your Excellency, in giving this reply to Foreign Minister (2), should request him to handle subject with greatest circumspection.

Maglione added:

The Diplomat referred to in Monsignor Giobbe’s telegram must be the Belgian Ambassador (3).  Following instructions from his Government, he inquired on 12.01.1940 and received the exact same reply reproduced in today’s telegram to Monsignor Giobbe.

Notes: 

(1) ADSS 1.243

(2) Eelco van Kleffens (1894-1984), Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs 1939-46.

(3) Adriaan van Nieuwenhuys (1877-1952), Belgian Ambassador to the Holy See 1939-46.

ADSS 1.243 Giobbe to Maglione: Holland fears German invasion

ADSS 1.243 Paolo Giobbe, Netherlands, to Luigi Maglione, Sec State.

Reference: Telegram 25 (AES 496/40)

Location and date: The Hagues, 14.01.1940

Summary statement: Holland fears German invasion.

Language: Italian

Text:

Minister Foreign Affairs (1) here informs me that he has received communication from Diplomat to Holy See that the Vatican is aware of an imminent invasion of Dutch territory by German troops.  Dutch government would be obliged if you could obtain prompt confirmation of news of other information (2).

Notes: 

(1) Eelco Nikolaus van Kleffens (1894-1983), Dutch Foreign Minister 1939-46.

(2) ADSS 1.239

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.