Countdown to D-Day

by Peter Margaritis

  That afternoon, they travel south some 66km to Tourcoing. There, Rommel visits GeneralOberst! von Salmuth in his quarters. The Fifteenth Army commander is laid up in bed with the flu, and Rommel wishes him well.

  The inspection party goes on, traveling west another 60km towards an army base at Hazebrouck, where they are to watch some drills. There is some trouble getting into the area though, since the gate guard does not know who Rommel is and incredibly, seems never to have heard of him. He finally relents, after Rommel threatens to have him beaten.

  The inspection tour continues southward, and finally returns to La Roche-Guyon, arriving there at 8 p.m. Rommel, tired from the trip, retires for the evening. Admiral Ruge soon joins the two chiefs of staff—soon-to-be relieved Gause and incoming Dr. Speidel—for some inspiring conversation. Gause recalls an action he took in late 1942, and Speidel recounts a harrowing incident in Russia. They talk about the war, and how badly it is going...

  In his quarters, Rommel, before he goes to bed, records his latest frustrations with bureaucratic red tape:

  I discovered shortages which could have been overcome had the local commander shown more initiative. This is additional proof that only there where I personally intervened and issued orders, has the steam been put on.

  Indeed, a point has been reached where written orders are no longer taken into consideration. Only there where I personally—often with an outburst of anger—have directed things, is something being done. This is sad and beyond the realm of military discipline, when one has to watch upon the execution of each order; but there is nothing else that I can do…

  Today, a special conference on aircraft production is held at the Berghof. Attending are Reichsmarshal, General Milch the Air Armament Secretary, and several senior Luftwaffe generals. Göring and Milch, by now bitter enemies, have had several sharp words the night before, so are today cold towards each other. They discuss the construction of underground bombproof aircraft factories, especially for the new Me-262 jet fighters. Göring to cover himself mournfully adds that he had wanted this some eight months before. “All this could have been ready long ago,” he sighs.

  1Aschmann, the senior naval officer on Walcheren, carried the title of Sea Defense Commander for South Holland (See footnote for Tuesday, January 4.)

  2General war information had been scarce ever since early 1940 and the so-called Mechelen Incident. At the time, the Western Allies and Germany had been in the stagnant, so-called “phony war” since the end of the Polish campaign. Then on January 10, with planning for the invasion of France and the Low Countries in its final stage preparation, a Luftwaffe staff officer, one Major Hellmuth Reinberger, took off as the back passenger in a BF-108 Taifun (“Typhoon”—predecessor to the ME-109) for Köln. He carried with him several highly classified documents, including maps, detailing the entire airborne component of the upcoming invasion of the Lowlands, scheduled to begin in one week. His pilot, Major Erich Hoenmann, became lost in thick winter fog and heavy clouds, so he descended to get a better view of the ground and possibly pick up a landmark. While standing up in his seat to get a better look at the river below (which he thought was the Rhine), he accidentally hit the plane’s fuel switch, cutting off the engine’s fuel supply. The engine sputtered and quit on them. Forced down, the pilot crash-landed at 11:30 a.m. on the east bank of the river below. After talking to a peasant passing by though, they found out to their horror that they had not come down next to the Rhine, but next to the Maas (Meuse) River instead, just inside the Belgian—Dutch border.

  Reinberger then told his shocked pilot the nature of his top-secret documents, and that they had to destroy them at once. He ran into some nearby bushes to do so. He started a fire using a match (borrowed from the farmer when his own lighter did not work). Unfortunately though, a Belgian border patrol stumbled onto the scene. The pilot walked back to the plane to divert the patrol so that Reinberger could finish his task. The patrol, initially distracted by the pilot, right off spotted the smoke, and captured Reinberger in the act of burning his documents. The two were taken to the nearby military guard post for interrogation. Reinberger once more tried to destroy the remaining documents. He suddenly grabbéd them and, lifting the very hot lid of a pot-bellied stove, he threw them in. The Belgian police captain though, Captain Arthur Rodrique, hearing him cry in pain, quickly seized them (burning his own hands in the process) and managed to recover ten burned pages of detailed plans, including a few sections of maps showing planned preemptive airborne drops.

  Outraged, the Belgian government accused Germany to the world of deliberately planning aggression. They defiantly called up their reserves and quickly manned their border defenses. The French mobilized three armies. Hitler, seething with rage over this blunder, ordered the two men condemned to death (as prisoners though, they of course would not be executed) and fired General Hellmuth Felmy, the commander of 2. Luftflotte, and his chief of staff, Colonel Josef Kammhuber. Hitler eventually was forced to call off the invasion of the 19th and subsequently tried desperately to reassure the Belgians that he had no intention of invading their country. As a result of this leak, he also issued a directive on January 11, 1940 and ordered it posted in every headquarters. It stated in no uncertain terms that no German officer, agency, command—no one—was to have any knowledge of an operation in which he was not directly concerned or did not have absolute need to know. Security was to be the word from then on.

  Both captured majors were evacuated first to Britain and then to Canada. Hoenmann’s wife Annie, however, did not fare so well. The Gestapo, suspecting that the two men were traitors and were deliberately betraying their country, arrested her and subjected her to an intense, humiliating interrogation, one that she did not long survive. Their two sons were allowed to serve in the army, but were killed in action during the war.

  One last interesting note. Many sources state that Hitler, his strategy now foiled, was forced to come up with an entirely new plan. A direct result of this incident was a revised plan, the final, brilliant Fall Gelb (“Case Yellow”), in which the Germans faked their original invasion plan and struck with their main force instead in the dense Ardennes, both bypassing the Maginot Line on the left and outflanking the BEF on the right. As it turned out, this change proved decisive in the fall of France.

  Thursday, April 20

  General der Panzertruppen Heinz Guderian leaves for France to attend a number of conferences there with the senior commanders. The main topic, of course, will be disposition of the panzers.

  ***

  Generalfeldmarschall Rommel stays at La Roche-Guyon today, catching up on paperwork and chairing a number of sessions with his staff. They cover a wide variety of subjects, including the distribution of an incoming supply of “nutcracker” mines, 1 manufacturing more tetrahedrons, the areas along the coast where they are needed, and the repositioning of several coastal units.

  When evening comes, the headquarters shifts into a festive mood. First of all, it is Alfred Gause’s going-away party, and the staff has really put forth an effort to make this a festive occasion. Second, it is the Führer’s birthday, now a national holiday, so the more celebrating that is done, the better it looks to outsiders.

  The Duc du Rochefoucauld and his family, residing upstairs, above the noisy routine of this busy headquarters, have been invited to the evening’s festivity, and they have graciously accepted the invitation. The duke’s younger son, dressed in the uniform of the French Navy, calls on Admiral Ruge. As the admiral treats the young man to some tasty confections, he is told that the duchess would like a word with him. He goes to the main stairway to meet her, and soon she regally descends with some gifts for the party—a bouquet of lilac and four bottles of her best wine, a vintage 1900 claret.

  The celebration begins. In attendance are Rommel, his senior staff officers, most of the army group administrative staff, and tonight’s guests: the duke and his family, including their daughter Charlotte (who is proudly escorted by a number o
f Rommel’s junior officers).

  After a fine dinner, Rommel stands up and graciously addresses his audience. He prefaces his remarks with a set of well-intended congratulatory comments, recognizing the Führer’s birthday, and noting the strength that their leader has given their country.

  He then begins an oratory on the finer qualities of his outgoing chief of staff. He tells them of the struggles the two of them have endured together in the French campaign, and later in North Africa. Rommel of course outlines Gause’s many and varied accomplishments during this time with great fervor, sometimes describing in detail a particular episode, or dramatically recounting some tale of woe that had befallen them.

  At the end of his speech, after the applause finally dies down, Gause stands and addresses the field marshal. He tells Rommel what a privilege it has been serving a German legend (Rommel is embarrassed), and that he has enjoyed working with all of them. Formally recognizing members of the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe, he beseeches them to strive to work together against the enemy, and to resist trifling power squabbles.

  The final speaker is their Ia, Oberst!leutnant von Tempelhoff, who puts in a few choice words welcoming the new chief of staff. He then expresses hope on behalf of the staff that Gause finds happiness in his future and satisfaction in his next assignment. Rumor has it that, based on Rommel’s recommendation, Gause is going to get command of his own panzer division.

  Then the “unofficial” part of the evening begins. In a now-relaxed mood, and amidst a roar of cheers and whistles, Gause is informed that, after careful consideration by the staff members, he has been elected the “Tetrach2 of the Tetragoner,” with a fancy (though unrefined) swamp ribbon, featuring a dark blue coat of arms with two Czech hedgehogs on it.

  In the meantime, a choice set of musicians begin playing a number of popular songs, and melodious sound fills the halls of the château. The duke’s daughter Charlotte becomes the life of the party and is waltzed around the dancing area many times by keen young officers. The senior officers spend their time happily conversing as they sip fine wine, laughing and enjoying sparkling conversation.

  Even though there is work to be done the next day, the party does not wind down until about two in the morning—unusual for the staff, but appropriate for the occasion.

  ***

  It is indeed the Führer’s birthday. Today he turns 55, and the entire Reich is encouraged to commemorate this holiday. At the Berghof though, Hitler is depressed and does little to celebrate, what with the war going so badly and his health not so good. In a nice ceremony, with some pretty flower arrangements and decorations in the great hall, he stands next to an ever-watching Martin Bormann while over a hundred people wait in line to congratulate him on his birthday. Also attending are Göring and Admiral Dönitz. Still, he woodenly goes through the motions.

  Staff photographer Walter Frentz takes a few photos of him with some close friends: Eva Braun and her sister Gretl, Herta Schneider, Martin Bormann, Otto Dietrich, Dr. von Hasselbach, one of his personal surgeons Dr. Karl Brandt and his wife Anni… The Führer’s official photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann, a popular jokester, tries to keep the mood upbeat, but that does not work.

  They move into the dining hall for the presents. Hoffmann shows everyone a new painting for the Führer’s priceless collection, as many of the entourage look on.

  As part of the ceremony, the Führer decorates one-armed General Hans Hube, 3 commander of the First Panzer Army, for extracting his encircled army from the clutches of the Soviets. Although the II SS Panzer Corps had helped rescue his army, his energies and valor were, the Führer happily says, what mainly counted.

  Hube, nicknamed by his men “der Mensch” (“the Man”), managed to extricate nearly 300,000 men out of what became known as the “Hube Pocket” (the Russians call it the “Kaments-Podolsky pocket”). Hube is being awarded the Knight’s Cross with Diamonds and is being promoted to GeneralOberst! for his valor, not just recently in the Hube Pocket, but also back in Sicily and Salerno. The Führer tells everyone that the man is in his mind, a true leader, and a prime candidate to become the next commander of the German Heeres.

  Hitler perks up more when he and his entourage leave the villa and travel to Klessheim Castle in Salzburg to view a small parade of new weapons. Included in the display is the new Czech T-38 Jagdpanzer, and a modified version of the Vomag Jagdpanzer IV.4

  Back in the castle, the socializing continues into the early morning hours. Finally after a good deal of leisure talk, decorated General Hube begs the Führer’s leave, and requests permission to fly back to Berlin that evening on “personal” matters. Hitler affably agrees, adding that although the general’s pilot is not very experienced at night flying, an experienced aircrew is at hand to back him up. All possible safety measures will be taken to ensure that the aircraft reaches Berlin safely.

  ***

  In reality, very few others in the Reich really celebrate Hitler’s birthday today, other than high government leaders. Most observe it, but few celebrate it—except of course, the fervent Nazi followers. Goebbels’ radio address to the Reich of course is a fresh attempt at rousing the people to the national banner. His speech ends with a stirring tribute:

  We all wish him health and strength and a blessed hand. He must know that he can always rely on his people. When trial and danger is before him, we will stand more firmly behind him. We believe in him and in his historical mission, and believe that in the end he will be crowned with victory.

  He will be the man of the century, not his opponents. He gave this century its meaning, its content, its goal. Affirming the meaning and understanding the content, we will reach the goal.

  He points the way; He commands, we follow. We, his old and tested comrades, march in the first row behind him. We are tested by danger, steeled by misfortune, hardened by storm and trial, but also crowned with the first victories and successes of the coming new world.

  We are at the head of a countless multitude who carry and defend the future of the Reich. We defend the cause of the nation, which has found its visible form in the Führer.

  In this battle between life and death, he is and will remain for us what he always was: Our Hitler!

  1See entry for February 16.

  2The source here is Admiral Ruge. This term is probably either a misprint or a spelling variant. The admiral probably meant “tetrarch,” a subordinate ruler. The term, originating in Ancient Greece and later taken up by the Roman Empire, refers to a unit commander. A tetrarch commanded a quarter of a Greek phalanx.

  3General der Panzertruppen Hans-Valentin Hube. Born in Naumburg, Germany, on October 29, 1880. He entered the army and served throughout World War I. Just after the start of hostilities, he was seriously wounded in Northern France and lost his left arm. He recovered in a year and fought again, suffering again in 1918, this time from a poison gas attack. Hube, seriously wounded again during the invasion of Poland, still took part in every major campaign thereafter, becoming a prominent Panzer general. Hube was evacuated from Stalingrad on January 19 1943, only a few days before von Paulus surrendered the Sixth Army. He took a significant part in the defense of Sicily and later Salerno in 1943, before later taking command of 1st Panzer Army.

  4The Jagdpanzer 38(t) (Sd. Kfz. 138/2), was an excellent light tank destroyer, built on a modified chassis of the popular Czech Panzer 38(t) (which went out of production because its small turret could not accommodate a large gun needed to knock out later Allied tank models). Cheaper and easier to build than other tank destroyer models such as the Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger, its simple design made it mechanically popular, and its 75mm PaK 39 L/48 gun gave it the ability to destroy nearly all Allied tanks in service at long ranges (except heavy tanks). The model was later nicknamed by the troops the hetzer (“baiter”).

  The Jagdpanzer IV was one of the better light (26 tons) tank destroyers built during the war, entering production in January, 1944. Built on a PzKw IV chassis, it had a low, sloped silhoue
tte and carried a high-velocity 75mm gun mounted directly in the fixed superstructure. Since it had no turret, a turret engine was not needed. The unit could thus carry up to 55 rounds, and was organized into anti-tank battalions for the panzer and SS panzer divisions.

  Friday, April 21

  It is early morning at La Roche-Guyon. The merriment of the previous evening is over. Gause attends a quiet, somber last breakfast with the staff that he will shortly be leaving. Rommel is already gone, having left earlier on an inspection tour. The festive air is long gone, replaced by an atmosphere heavy with unsaid comments, apprehension, and depression. Gause, nervous and upset, finally departs the château at 7:30 a.m. He is bound for the French capital to catch a train.1

  After he leaves, his replacement, Hans Speidel, busies himself by taking care of a number of administrative details. OB West has approved the movement of the 77th Infantry Division to Brittany, specifically to the St. Malo area. It has also consented (only in theory) to allow the 21st Panzer Division to move from Rennes to an area between the towns of Flers and Argentan, south of Falaise, and some 65km southeast of the Bay of the Seine. OB West reports the approval as a fait accompli to OKW “in order to save time,” although actual permission has not yet been officially given.

  Power games...

  As Gause discreetly leaves the château, Admiral Ruge departs in that direction as well to meet up with Rommel at a fortress engineering depot—the Hoyer factory. He finds the field marshal watching a demonstration of engineering contrivances. Modified mines and updated explosive devices are displayed. A number of new and makeshift devices are shown as well, a couple ingenious, a few crude, and some a product of sincere but uninformed minds. While a considerable amount of the time spent on fashioning these makeshift devices did not produce any substantial return, Rommel realizes that such is the nature of research. He later writes in his Daily Report: