CAB80-13 — Page 206

ANNEX B.

GERMAN MORALE,

190

1.0

There is no reason to believe the German Army is other than good. recent fighting have been severe the have maintained the morale at a high NAVY:

that the morale oo

successes gained must

Even if losses in

level .

A

In

20 Evidence over a period of two years seems to indicate that morale in the German Navy is not 100% individual actions there hav been signs of immaturity and unsteadiness.

30

The German lavy is the least Nazi of the fighting services and is inclined to think that it is being sacrificed to exploit purel ilitary ends.

AIR FORCE:

40

The morale of the German Air Force is believo. still high.

HOME FRONT:

5.

Taking the ovidence as a whole, one would seem justified in assuming that the victories had up to the eve of the capture of Faris Derm received with mixed feelings, and that along with natural jubilation, and a consequent heightening of morale, there was anxiety over the possibility that the Allies, with U.S. backing, might not give in in time to enable Germany to avoid another war winter. There was also anxiety over the heavy and concealed casualties.

thom

6.

There is no evidence that the German permle are at present in a mutinous frame of mind (this could hudly be expected in view of German military succosses), or that they are likely to crack suddenly under the strain they have to bear, There is evidence that they are in a somewhat apathetic state and even the news of Germany's victories appears so far to have done little to rousc from their listlessness. No reports have yet been received as to the state of feeling after the German capture of Paris. As soon as the German military effort begins to suffer reverses the transition is likely to make itself felt.

from apathy to discontent

In any case, of being at war during another winter would have a profound

the prospect effect upon morale.

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