The Leader And Supreme Commander Of The Armed Forces.

The Leader's Headquarters.   23rd May, 1941.   22 copies

Directive No. 30 -- Middle East
                1. The Arab Freedom Movement is our natural ally against England in the Middle East. In this connection the rising in Iraq is particularly important. It strengthens the forces hostile to England beyond the Iraqi frontier, disturbs English communications, and ties up English troops and shipping at the expense of other theatres of war.

                I have therefore decided to hasten developments in the Middle East by supporting Iraq.

                Whether, and if so how, it may be possible, in conjunction with an offensive against the Suez Canal, finally to break the British position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf is a question which will be decided only after Barbarossa.

                2. Summarising my detailed decisions, I order that, for the support of Iraq:

                A Military Mission is to be dispatched.
                The Airforce is to afford support.
                Arms are to be delivered.

                3. The Military Mission (cover name: Special Staff F) will be under the command of Air Marshal Felmy.

                Its duties are:

                (a) To advise and support the Iraqi forces.

                (b) Where possible, to establish military contacts with forces hostile to England outside Iraq.

                (c) To obtain experience and intelligence in this area for the German forces.

                The composition of this organisation will be regulated, in accordance with these duties, by the Chief Of The High Command Of The Armed Forces.

                Chain of command will be as follows:

                (a) All Armed Forces personnel sent to Iraq, including the Liaison Staff in Syria, will be under the command of the Head Of The Military Mission.

                (b) The Head Of The Military Mission will be subordinate to the Chief Of The High Command Of The Armed Forces, with the limitation that orders to the Airforce will be issued exclusively by Commander In Chief Air Force.

                (c) The Head Of The Military Mission will deal only with the Iraqi military authorities. Negotiations with the government of Iraq in matters affecting the Mission will be conducted by the Representative Of The Foreign Office in Iraq.

                Where military matters with political implications are concerned, the Head Of The Military Mission will obtain the prior agreement of the Foreign Office Representative.

                (d) Members of the Military Mission are, for the time being, to be regarded as volunteers (as in the case of the Condor Legion). They will wear tropical uniform with Iraqi badges; Iraqi markings will also be carried by German aircraft.

                4. Airforce. The employment of the Airforce in limited numbers is intended, apart from its direct effects, to increase the self confidence and fighting spirit of the Iraqi armed forces and people.

                The form and extent of German intervention will be decided by Commander In Chief Airforce.

                5. Supply of Arms. The Chief Of The High Command Of The Armed Forces will issue the necessary orders in this respect. (Deliveries to be made from Syria, in accordance with the agreement reached with the French in this matter, and from Germany.)

                6. The direction of propaganda in the Middle East is the responsibility of the Foreign Office, which will cooperate with the High Command Of The Armed Forces, Operations Staff, Propaganda Section.

                The basic idea of our propaganda is as follows:

                The victory of the Axis will free the countries of the Middle East from the English yoke, and will give them the right to self determination. All who love freedom will therefore join in the fight against England.

                No propaganda will be carried out against the French in Syria.

                7. Should members of the Italian Armed Forces be employed on duties in Iraq, German personnel will cooperate with them on the lines laid down in this Directive. Efforts will be made to ensure that they come under the command of the Head Of The German Military Mission.

Adolf Hitler.