English Translation

133 Telefonat des Auswärtiges Amts, Berlin, 26.7.1943, 7.15 p.m., recorded by K.S.I.Kl. Gerstberger: Instructions given today to the German press about the events in Italy: The Tagesparole on 26. July reads: The state policy development in Italy, which does not give rise to military concerns, is, until the facts and circumstances of the government change which is taking place have been clarified, in the press only by reproducing the DNB news material in no greater than two-fissile form for the time being, without dealing with any comment. In the headlines, the process as a "change of government in Italy" is to be addressed first without further marking. Statements by envoy Schmidt: It is a government transformation and the departure of the Duce happened due to serious internal political conflicts and crises. The central point for us is the statement in both the King's embassy and the Bardoglios "The war continues". Italy stands by his word. The joint warfare between Germany and Italy is not affected by the events. The opponent is in the process of causing unrest not only in Italy, but also in the German people, to create nervousness in order to endanger our joint warfare It is the first task of the German press to counter these attempts with calm and prudence. Foreign voices to the events in Italy are blocked.