5Becker’s “Construction Command” in Paris was (in cooperation with Alkett in Berlin) an ad hoc branch of the main plant, in Krefeld.
6Feuchtinger, a favored member of the Nazi party, had been the key organizer of the military portion of the Reichsparteitage, the massive annual Nuremberg rally that had been held before the war had begun. The Nazi party had in turn reciprocated by giving him a high officer’s rank within the Wehrmacht.
Monday, April 3
Generalleutnant Alfred Gause today chairs a conference at La Roche-Guyon. The main subject is the placement of artillery batteries. Recent inspection results show that areas near the Scheldt and Somme river estuaries are still not strong enough. More batteries are needed.
Reports and summaries of the Allied landing at Nettuno are discussed. The engaging German divisions there had minimal artillery support. The panzer forces, located too far inland, had initially taken precious time to gather themselves for a major counterattack. In almost every instance, the preparation and subsequent assault had been crippled or severely slowed down by Allied airpower.
Another point is reviewed. Studies find that the Allied infantry on those beaches did not attack or even advance when there was “reasonably heavy artillery fire.” This revelation is to be driven home to each of Rommel’s division commanders. Regrettably, though, the figures for their divisional artillery are not impressive. Even at the Pas-de-Calais, the most heavily fortified area on the Channel, artillery dispositions average at best one battery for every thousand meters. It is true that the presence of several railroad and naval batteries has made a big difference. Still, they do no good to the outlying areas. More batteries are needed, especially in the Somme estuary.
***
Rommel is on tour again. Today he is at Tréport, near Dieppe, accompanied by the 67th Corps commander, General von Weikersthal.1 He inspects the positions of Generalmajor Paul Seyffardt’s 348th Infantry Division.2 Although the unit have made good progress in their barrier construction, they are still working on obstacles too far from the shoreline. Nevertheless, Rommel thanks them for their effort.
He finds considerable results at his next set of stops, the positions of Generalleutnant Schwalbe’s 344th Infantry Division. He is satisfied with the work progress at the 344th and notes in his daily report:
It is amazing what has been done here, thanks to the initiative of the commander.
***
President Roosevelt rejects a modification to the unconditional surrender policy demanded of the Axis. The revision, submitted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defines and elucidates certain minimal prerequisites to an alternate surrender that might be considered, one much more favorable for the German generals to accept. Details such as steps towards demilitarization, removing all Nazis from political positions, religious freedom, and arrests of potential war criminals are laid out. Acceptance of Allied authority and the relocation or return of various ethnic or political sects that have been persecuted or forced into labor are spelled out in detail.
Roosevelt has his reasons for rejecting the proposal. He is mindful of how their enemy has taken a path of aggression twice now in this century and many times before. He no doubt reflects upon the many millions who have died because of this war. He remarks that it will take some two generations to change the war-like attitudes of the German people.
He therefore decides against the option. “No,” he growls, “I’m not willing at this time to say that we do not intend to destroy the German nation.”
Eisenhower and the Joint Chiefs, mindful of a number of indirect contacts their people have made with the anti-Hitler conspirators, understand the importance of key generals like von Rundstedt and General von Falkenhausen in Belgium to the Allied plans. Both men reportedly want to rid their country of the Nazi party, and their assistance would dramatically shorten the war if they could be coerced into working with the West. Besides, privately, Eisenhower is unsure that the upcoming invasion will even succeed. So he would just as soon prefer that over the next year the Germans simply open the Western Front up to them.
1See footnote for January 20.
2Admiral Ruge in his account mistakenly refers to this unit as the 384th Infantry, transposing the 8 and the 4.
Tuesday, April 4
Rommel continues his tour of the northern French coast. He begins by inspecting the rest of the 344th Infantry Division. He then visits positions held by the 82nd Corps, 1 inspecting their artillery batteries. On his previous tour, he had noted three dozen guns in position, although many of the casements had not been finished. Today, he is pleased to find out that more are done, and that another dozen are being put in.2
Rommel tries to increase battery versatility. He would like those guns that are on wheels or some sort of mobile platform to be somehow able to easily traverse, so that they can be fired at positions threatening the flanks. For those without wheels, he asks about using those revolving concrete turrets that he saw being made at the concrete factory near Paris the other day—sort of like a Panzerstellung3 for artillery.
That evening, Rommel returns to his headquarters on the Seine. In the updates he receives, he is pleasantly surprised to find out two things. First, OKW has officially notified them that Hans Speidel, Rommel’s first choice to replace Alfred Gause, has been approved and will report to Heeresgruppe B on April 15. Second, he discovers in his mail that he has received a check for royalties from his pre-war bestseller, Infanterie grieft an.
That night he writes Lucie about replacing Gause:
G. [Gause] will be replaced by Generalleutnant Dr. Speidel about the middle of the month. His brother was once with me in the machinegun company...
P.S. Mittler & Son4 has sent a check for 3,575 marks to my account at Wiener Neustadt.
1General der Artillerie Johann Sinnhuber, commanding.
2There would be a total of 52 guns by the end of the month.
3Lit. “Armored emplacement or position.” This was a small fixed defensive position that consisted of a tank turret affixed to the ground in a small fortified position (as opposed to a Schadpanzer, in which the entire tank was permanently mounted into the ground). Low to the ground and armored, these positions were often difficult to destroy, and made deadly defense points to take, especially by armor.
The boxed fortification below the turret was typically made of steel and/or concrete, and was entered from the side or the rear. The turret itself typically consisted of a tank gun, sometimes with a machine gun mounted next to it. The turret was bolted, riveted, or welded to a thick metal plate, which had wheels or bearings below and was manually rotated. The Germans used whatever turrets they could find. Country of manufacture was not important, so long as the gun had shells to fire. Typically along the Atlantic Wall, turrets of captured French Renault 35s were used, although as the war progressed, turrets of other knocked-out tanks were mounted as well, including even some German ones.
4The publishing house handling his book Infanterie Grief an.
Wednesday, April 5
Generalfeldmarschall Rommel goes on another inspection tour. Today, just south of Boulogne, he visits the 49th Infantry Division, 1 starting with the headquarters at Montreuil-sur-Mer. For once, the teacher’s itinerary is outdone by the student’s. He finds their plans for laying minefields are somewhat too—well, ambitious. Bemused by their enthusiasm, he tones down their plans a bit, both in field density and in size. Besides, mines are becoming short in supply. He gives them a scaled-down plan to use. He reduces the size of their too-large defensive zones and narrows the strip of coast to be defended. He orders those outlying units in the rear areas to move much closer to the shoreline—including the divisional headquarters, 14km from the coast.
No doubt, the divisional commander quietly sighs to himself as he replies with the dutiful, “Jawohl, Herr Feldmarschall.”
Rommel continues his inspection. A number of positions have been well constructed. Grateful to the men, he resorts to handing out rewards—some
thing he did occasionally a couple of months ago. He has again secured for himself a supply of musical instruments—some harmonicas and concertinas.2 He hands out a number of them, and then moves on.
***
Today, General Marcks writes home to his son some cynical comments about Rommel:
Rommel is cantankerous and frequently blows his top—he scares the daylights out of his commanders. The first one that reports to him each morning gets eaten for breakfast; the next ones after that get off lighter.
***
A disquieting teletype from Admiral Krancke at Marinegruppenkommandos West comes in to Heeresgruppe B today. It reports intensive naval activity by enemy light vessels in English Channel areas west and northwest of the closest point to England, between Boulogne, Cap Gris Nez, and Calais. Krancke concludes that these are concentrated minesweeping operations, probably the initial steps of an amphibious landing in the narrows of the Channel. This of course, is supporting evidence for that theory, long supported by OKW and at times, the Führer, about the invasion coming at the Pas-de-Calais. Krancke writes that the enemy vessels could not be engaged by coastal batteries because the radar interference was too strong. As an excuse, he adds that sometimes this happens to the Luftwaffe’s radar as well.
1Generalmajor Siegfried Macholz, commanding.
2A concertina is a small, hexagonal, free-reed, bellows-driven musical instrument, sometimes referred to jokingly as a “squeezebox.” The bellows are worked by pushing the ends in and pulling out with your arms, while the musical tones are played by pushing buttons on each side, as opposed to the customary side keyboard for a regular larger accordion. The German style differs from its English counterpart in that when a button is pressed, one note is played when the bellows are pushed, and a different tone when they are pulled out. The field marshal sometimes handed these small instruments out as gifts to the men when they had done a particularly good job. Usually none of the men knew how to play the charming things, but the instruments were popular (especially with the naval units), and the men always appreciated the gifts, especially when they were personally handed out by Rommel.
Thursday, April 6
The late-morning daily military conference at the Berghof has ended. Adolf Hitler is in the main salon, talking to Jodl and Warlimont. By now, despite the fact that the Russians surged into Romania four days ago, it is evident that their massive spring offensive is slowing down. The upcoming spring thaws and resulting seas of mud are grinding the enemy formations to a halt. So today, the Führer’s attention turns to the West.
He has just read a number of intelligence reports. A couple indicate the detection of troop movements into southeast England. Increased radio traffic has been picked up out of that area, close to the Straits of Dover and von Salmuth’s Fifteenth Army. There are other reports of public buildings southeast of London being requisitioned or appropriated. The Führer, so often suspicious of anything, has studied these messages and now comments that he smells a rat. Jodl replies that he isn’t so sure.
Hitler turns to him. “The whole way that the British are serving all this up to us—it just looks phony,” he says. “This latest news about the restrictions they’re ordering, their security clamp down, and so on. Now you don’t normally go in for all of that if you’re really up to something…”
The Führer gazes off into the distance, almost oblivious to the two officers standing next to him, then suddenly looks back at Jodl. “I cannot help but feel that the whole show the British are putting on looks suspiciously like a charade to me.”
They discuss this matter further. A while later, Hitler is shown another report. As he reads it, he grunts with a slight smile on his face. He hands the message to Jodl, who in turn reads it silently, those around him watching his face for a reaction. Jodl wordlessly passes the paper on to Warlimont. The message reports more troop movements in England, mainly headed towards the southeastern area. Hitler addresses them again.
“Another message about troops moving towards the Pas-de-Calais, ja?” He looks at them penetratingly. “Now,” he continues, “what I ask myself is this: Why make such a song and dance about it? We wouldn’t, I guarantee you!” He stops for a moment, lost in thought, and absent-mindedly adjusts his glasses. He slowly walks over to the map depicting Western Europe, then continues.
“And they don’t need to either, do they?” he comments. “They could perfectly well marshal their forces over here,” he says, pointing to southeast England, “then load them on board and ship them over to here,” moving his finger dramatically down to the stretch of coast along Normandy. “We’ve no real way of finding out what they’re really up to over there.”
His staff officers agree with that. Reconnaissance photos have been scant, and those that have come in often lack detail, often because the pilot was in too much of a hurry, weather was bad, or altitude was too high. Too often the pilot, whether inexperienced, gun-shy or overcome by wanting to get his images back safely, settles for any old shot, considers himself lucky, and bolts for home. With Allied airpower being what it is, no one can really blame him. Especially since the Luftwaffe has suffered staggering losses in the first three months of the year, losing over 5,500 aircraft, along with many experienced pilots and their invaluable experience. Competent flyers are becoming a rare breed.
“No,” Hitler concludes, “I can’t help feeling the whole thing will turn out to be a shameless charade.” A few minutes later, Hitler looks up and declares,” I’m in favor of pushing all our forces into here,” once again pointing to the Normandy area.
Jodl gives Warlimont a significant look. Normandy? Is this possibly where the landing will take place?
***
Rommel spends this day at his headquarters, catching up on paperwork and making the usual administrative phone calls. Today, he meets with the Nineteenth Army’s chief of staff1 and chief engineer. They discuss problems with unit placement along the coast, mine shortages, and the return of the battered 2nd SS Panzer Division from Russia to Southern France.
That night, he writes Lucie:
Here, the tension is growing from day to day. It will probably be only weeks that separate us from the decisive events…
My little dachshund has grown a lot and is coming along nicely. He accompanies me—when I’m at my quarters—on my walks…
He also finds time to write to his son Manfred, repeating some of what he wrote to his wife:
In a few weeks—the favorable weather for landing and air operations starts in May—we will be facing the decisive battle. We are moderately armed and are going into the battle with confidence. It will be tough, but we’ll manage…
My second dachshund that is only half a year old is coming along nicely and accompanies me occasionally on my hunting walks…
***
Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt’s attention is diverted to the Atlantic defenses by a report from the First Army commander, General Blaskowitz. He writes that his area is:
“[an] absolute point of weakness in the defense of the occupied French land, and it will not change.”
Blaskowitz is quick to point out that the Allies will discover this weakness, writing:
This will not remain a secret to the Anglo-American leadership and investigation. It is probably already known to them.
The field marshal shares Blaskowitz’s concern. Granted, the chances of the main invasion coming to his area are small. On the other hand, his four divisions2 have to cover some 860 kilometers—far too thin a spread to make any kind of effective defense.
First Army needs more units, and thus, more men. He had better complain to Keitel at OKW again, though it will probably do him little good…
1Generalmajor Walter Botsch.
2The 158th Reserve Infantry Division, the 708th [bodenständige] Infantry, the 159th Reserve Infantry, and the 276th Infantry.
Friday, April 7
Rommel travels in his Horch north-northwest today, again to the Dieppe area, with Daniel dr
iving, and Rommel as usual sitting up front beside him. They arrive at the headquarters of the 245th Infantry Division, 1 which is a backup to Generalmajor Seyffardt’s 348th Division and Generalleutnant Menny’s 84th Division along the coast. After the customary briefing, he moves to the coast and inspects a number of positions. Some work has indeed been done, but he does not see much of a concerted effort being made. Part of the problem though, lies in the fact that some projects must be delayed until additional batteries arrive, and getting artillery from the OT these days is difficult.
Rommel is courteous enough to thank the men for their work so far and moves on northeastward 240km to Tourcoing, GeneralOberst! von Salmuth’s headquarters. There the field marshal chairs a Fifteenth Army conference. It is announced that a “specialist” group has been attachéd to the army to help them come up with innovative ideas to use natural and artificial camouflage over the positions. The group includes representatives from the natural sciences and a few special engineering experts in panzer and artillery defense.
The army is also getting an additional two construction battalions to assist in constructing defensive positions. Rommel pushes the officers to get their men to put more time in on the shoreline defenses. Von Salmuth’s men are already averaging three or four days a week on these infernal barriers, but he has learned that Rommel is the boss. Whatever he says, goes.
Test reports regarding the shelling of minefields are discussed. It has been determined that mines laid within a 20-meter radius of a shell exploding in shallow water are subject to going off themselves. Appropriate corrective action is to be taken.
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