PART I: NEW MEETING AT WOLFSSCHANZE
Hitler with Keitel and Jodl in Wolf's Lair, 1944
June 19, 1944
Wolf's Lair, East Prussia
Jodl: My Fuhrer, Our situation in France is not very well. Allies couldn't succeed in encircling our main army but they obtained a foothold in France. Chances of driving them off sea seems not possible for the moment. Our troops are weary and needs time desperately to reorganize. We are also under heavy bombardment by Allied bombers. This makes movement very hard. Our three divisions in Cherbourg is encircled and we need to reevalute their situation immediately.
Hitler: Couldn't they attempt a breakout, Colonel ?
Jodl: My fuhrer, there are at least 30 allied divisions in the area. Our divisions are also unorganized and understrength. Breakout is not possible in the current situation. They resisted to Allied attacks so far. But they can surrender soon.
Hitler: Surrender is treason.However, our manpower situation is dire. We need every man. If our divisions couldn't break the encirclement then they should try to escape individually through Allied lines. Send the order to the commander. His divisions should leave all their guns and try to escape through allied lines secretly. They will be recruited in other divisions. For bombardment, I order all the fighter formations to be sent to Western front.In addition, New V-2 rockets should be enough to destroy airfields in Britain. What about Italy Alfred?
Situation in France
Jodl: Italy is quite stable my Fuhrer. General Kesselring more or less stopped Allied advance in the area. I think, he could continue the status-quo for a while.
Hitler: Any chance of counter-attack ?
Jodl: I don't think we can counter-attack for now my Fuhrer. We are outnumbered and we need time to reorganize. But then we can launch new offensive in this front.
Hitler: What about il Duce, Joachim ?
Ribbentrop: My Fuhrer,as you know, he is in Milan now. He is working to recruit few divisions for the newly formed Social Republic Army.
Situation in Italy
Hitler: Now generals, I will be very clear everything. Our Eastern Front is cracking apart slowly but steadily. We also had an intel that they will launch very big offensive within few day nicknamed as Operation Bagration. Our tough fight so far succeeded very well in the Eastern Front and saved the entire front. However, we are now severely outnumbered and Russian salient in the western Ukraine threatens both Romania and the Northern sector. I talked with General Model and I decided to change our strategy for the moment. We need to establish new defensive line and organize our divisions. So, we will strategically withdraw along the entire front in the face of upcoming Soviet offensive.This will shorten our front and will save manpower too. In the north, I choose Riga-Polotsk line. We will withdraw behind this line. In the center, I didn't choose specific line, intensity of Soviet offensive will determine how much we will withdraw.We won't withdraw too much either. The most critical area is the south. Soviets could split our Southern part from the entire Eastern front. If this happens, we lose Romania. I can't tolerate such an outcome. Ploesti is very important for our war efforts. We will form a defensive line behind Iasi-Ismail line. But before that, we have to evaucate Chinisev successfully. Our three divisions in Ismail should defend their positions until evacuation is finished. There will be no retreat.
Situation in the East
No Retreat order in Ismail
Hitler: I also choose to leave Finland and Norway. Finns didn't add much to Axis cause and their attitude in Leningrad Siege will not be forgotten. They have to fight alone if they want to live. Norway is also not very important for now. While Allies are in France, Norway is only of secondary importance. So, I decided to withdraw all German divisions in Norway and Finland except for garrison forces in Norway. These forces will be distrubuted to Eastern and Western Front. Evacuation plans from Oslo and Turku ports should be prepared immediately.
Situation in Norway and Finland
Hitler: While withdrawing, we will destroy anything useful in the area. Scorching earth tactics will slow down Slav hordes. So, farms,factories, houses all should be burned. I also order our divisions in Balkans to go to Southern Sector in order to strengthen this front.
Troops in Balkans
Hitler: Generals, we will use this strategic withdrawal approach to the Western front as well but in lower degree. We couldn't contain the invasion to the beach. So, we should hold new defensive line including Paris and should prepare for counter-offensive. For the naval situation, our submarine warfare should continue and try to starve Britain. I trust Doenitz on this matter. Joachim, What is the situation of our Japanes ally ?
Ribbentrop: My Fuhrer, their situation is not very well. Americans began to take upper hand. They are slowly taking Japanese islands. China is still stalemate and it seems that it will continue to be stalemate.
Situation in Asia
Hitler: I believe that fierce fighting of Japanese could hold American for years. Albert, you should increase our mobilization efforts.We need to increase our industrial production. I want every German older than 16 to be called into service. We should reinforce our divisions quickly.By the way, you should manage rocket developments carefully, our new weapons will be devastating for Allies. You are responsible for these matters. Survival of Aryan race requires immense sacrifices.
Speer: Yes, my Fuhrer.
German cabinet in 1944
Hitler: Now, I want to rest for a while.
