"Heil mein Führer. Sie sind verhaftet!"

February 1943: After the fall of Stalin ordered to execute the Operation . It was aimed to enclose and destroy the Heeresgruppen A, B and Don. A kind of Superstalingrad. The Soviets were advancing and Manstein already had a plan to make a counterstrike. However, therefore he had to retreat in some parts. Especially Charkow. Here Hitler vetoed that. He wanted to keep Charkow. Manstein needed the forces there and on February 16th indeed the SS units defending Charkow retreated. Hitler was furious. Instead of flying to Poltawa, where he was going to meet Col. Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz, he flew to Manstein to Saporoschje. What Hitler didn't know: Strachwitz, although member in the SS, was there to arrest and likely kill Hitler as part of Operation Walküre. As Plan B a bomb in a bottle of Cognac was smuggled into the Fw 200 of Hitler. Because the British detonator did not cope with the low temperatures the bomb did not explode... And here is the PoD: 17.02.1943: Hiter wants to fly to Saporoschje, but only after he visited Strachwitz. He wanted to let Manstein wait for him and to show him, who is the Gröfaz (Größter Feldherr aller Zeiten, biggest general of all times).

"Mein Führer, Sie sind verhaftet!"

The flight was long from to Poltawa. Hitler was glad to have landed. He was not glad about situation however. The Soviets were advancing. And Manstein wanted to retreat. Retreat! That was nearly treachery. He needed to talk to him. But not now. Now he wanted to talk to the Panzergraf, Strachwitz. Hitler departed the plane and looked to the runway where Strachwitz stood in his SS uniform, and not the normal uniform. There were also about two dozens other soldiers in SS uniforms waiting. Hitler left the gangway. Behind him his adjutant Schmundt and Prof. Dr. Morell, Hitler's personal physician, followed. Strachwitz saluted Hitler with the so called German Greeting.

Strachwitz said: "Heil mein Führer. Sie sind verhaftet!"

Hitler at first was stunned and then loughed. After a moment he said: "Strachwitz, you have humor. You perfectly knew what I now needed! I won't forget that!" Strachwitz did not change his face and calmly replied: "This is no joke. This is serious, Herr Hitler!" Hitler stopped loughing immediately as he saw the soldiers were aiming at him with their MPs and rifles. What then came was not totally clear. The official report by Strachwitz and most historians agree, that Hitler wanted to take his Browning pistol. So also the other soldiers testified. Morell said, Hitler was shot at once by all, as it looked like an . Schmundt said, it was one soldier who lost his nerves and then all fired at Hitler. The result was however clear. Hitler was hit by no less than 88 bullets. The hits in the neck meant even that he was decaptivated when he fell on the ground. However, except a hit between the eyes the head itself was not hit. Strachwitz later said, he wanted to arrest him and not to execute him. But, he added, that would have come later. That commentary, and some others, lead to speculations, that the arresting was not really planned. Strachwitz at once called Berlin and told them Hitler landed safely. The next call was another number in Berlin. "Operation can resume, problem solved." Then he broke all telephone and FT lines. For the next six hours no one could reach Poltawa airport. Schmundt and Morell were arrested as well as the pilots of the Fw 200 and the escorting fighters. So Operation Walküre started. And soon rumors spread the SS murdered Hitler.

Operation Walküre

Operation Walküre started on February 17th. For about one hour no one else than the acting persons knew about the fate of Hitler. That the contact to Poltawa broke down was not remarked for over half an hour and even that was not seen as critical. Hitler was reported to have landed savely. That soon changed. In the meantime Generaloberst Fromm signed the order for Operation Walküre. Göring was the first to be arrested. He was just leaving Carinhall when his car was stopped by a Kübelwagen, followed by two trucks with infantry. Göring was soon arrested at Spandau. Goebbels was surprised in his office. He was arrested, too, but committed suicide later the day with a capsule of Cyancali. How he got that capsule, if someone gave it to him or if he had it, is unknown. Magda Goebbels heard rumors about the death of Hitler and the arresting of her husband. Her world broke apart and she wanted to kill her children and then herself. However, just before she could give the poison to the children, soldiers appeared to question her. She was originally to be freed after. As she saw even the poisoning of the children was not possible, she drank it herself. Himmler was in his HQ in Berlin, the Prinz-Albrecht-Palais, when Wehrmacht soldiers stormed this building and the building near to it. The SS, after hearing rumors, they had murdered Hitler, was at the beginning too perplex to act. And in these crucial first minutes they failed to resist, so that later resistance was futile. Himmler was arrested, when he tried to flee. In this moment he lost his capsule with cyanide. Martin Bohrmann was shot after resisting in the Reichskanzlei. Several other members of SA, SS, SD, NSDAP, RSHA and Gestapo were arrested, shot or committed suicide. In the Wehrbereichsbeziken (Military Administrational Areas) the order was given via teleprinter and executed. Although there were only four teleprinter available, the order could given within the hour. Albert Speer was invited to join the new government as minister for armament. He gladly switched the sides.

After only six hours it was clear the coup was a complete success. Nearly all persons on the list were captured or dead. 22 soldiers lost their lives, most of them in the fights in the Gestapo and SS buildings.

This declaration was published by the new provisorical government.

Quote:

„I. Der Führer ist tot! Eine gewissenlose Clique frontfremder Parteiführer hat es unter Ausnutzung dieser Lage versucht, der schwerringenden Front in den Rücken zu fallen und die Macht zu eigennützigen Zwecken an sich zu reißen. II. In dieser Stunde höchster Gefahr hat die Reichsregierung zur Aufrechterhaltung von Recht und Ordnung den militärischen Ausnahmezustand verhängt und mir zugleich mit dem Oberbefehl über die Wehrmacht die vollziehende Gewalt übertragen. III. Hierzu befehle ich:

1. Ich übertrage die vollziehende Gewalt – mit dem Recht der Delegation auf die territorialen Befehlshaber – im Heimatkriegsgebiet auf den Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres unter gleichzeitiger Ernennung zum Oberbefehlshaber im Heimatkriegsgebiet – in den besetzten Westgebieten auf den Oberbefehlshaber West – in Italien auf den Oberbefehlshaber Südwest – in den besetzten Ostgebieten auf die Oberbefehlshaber der Heeresgruppen und den Wehrmachtbefehlshaber Ostland für ihren jeweiligen Befehlsbereich – in Dänemark und Norwegen auf die Wehrmachtbefehlshaber. 2. Den Inhabern der vollziehenden Gewalt sind unterstellt: a) sämtliche in ihrem Befehlsbereich befindlichen Dienststellen und Einheiten der Wehrmacht einschl. der Waffen-SS, des RAD und der OT ;b) alle öffentlichen Behörden (des Reiches, der Länder und der Gemeinden), insbesondere die gesamte Ordnungs-, Sicherheits- und Verwaltungspolizei; c) alle Amtsträger und Gliederungen der NSDAP und der ihr angeschlossenen Verbände; d) die Verkehrs- und Versorgungsbetriebe.3. Die gesamte Waffen-SS ist mit sofortiger Wirkung ins Heer eingegliedert.4. Die Inhaber der vollziehenden Gewalt sind für die Aufrechterhaltung der Ordnung und öffentlichen Sicherheit verantwortlich. Sie haben insbesondere zu sorgen für: a) die Sicherung der Nachrichtenanlagen, b) die Ausschaltung des SD .Jeder Widerstand gegen die militärische Vollzugsgewalt ist rücksichtslos zu brechen. In dieser Stunde höchster Gefahr für das Vaterland ist Geschlossenheit der Wehrmacht und Aufrechterhaltung voller Disziplin oberstes Gebot. Ich mache es daher allen Befehlshabern des Heeres, der und der zur Pflicht, die Inhaber der vollziehenden Gewalt bei Durchführung ihrer schwierigen Aufgabe mit allen zu Gebote stehenden Mitteln zu unterstützen und die Befolgung ihrer Weisungen durch die untergeordneten Dienststellen sicherzustellen. Der deutsche Soldat steht vor einer geschichtlichen Aufgabe. Von seiner Tatkraft und Haltung wird es abhängen, ob Deutschland gerettet wird.“ Für das Attentat gegen Hitler machen die Verschwörer politisch die NSDAP verantwortlich. So begründeten sie gegenüber der Masse der regimetreuen Deutschen ihre Maßnahmen gegen Partei und „ Oberste Reichsbehörden “. On English:

Quote:

I. The Führer Adolf Hitler is dead! An unscrupulous clique of party leaders alien to the front has attempted, under the exploitation of this situation, to fall on the backs of the hard-struggling front and to seize power for selfish purposes. II. In this hour of highest danger, the government of the Reich has declared a state of military emergency for the maintenance of law and order and at the same time has transferred the executive power, with the supreme command of the Wehrmacht , to me. III. With this, I order: 1. I transfer the executive power – with the right of delegation, on the territorial – in the area of the war at home, on the of the army reserves under the simultaneous appointment to the supreme commander in the homeland war – in the occupied western area, on the supreme commander west – in , on the supreme commander southwest – in the occupied eastern area, on the supreme commander of the army groups and the commander of the Wehrmacht eastern land for their respective area of command – in Denmark and , to the Wehrmacht commander.2. The holders of executive power have control over: a) all section and units of the Wehrmacht, including the Waffen -SS, RAD and the OT , within their area of command;b) all public authorities (of the Reich , , the states and the municipalities), especially the entire law enforcement police, security police and administrative police;c) all office bearers and subdivisions of the NSDAP and those of its affiliated associations;d) the transportation services and public utilities3. The entire Waffen-SS is integrated into the army with immediate effect.4. The holders of executive power are responsible for the maintenance of order and public security. They especially have to ensure: a) the protection of the communicationb) the elimination of the SD (Security Service).Any opposition against the military power of enforcement is to be broken ruthlessly. In this hour of highest danger for the Fatherland , unity of the Wehrmacht and the maintenance of full discipline is the uppermost requirement. That is why I make it the duty of all commanders of the army , the navy , and the air force to support the holders of executive power to carry out their difficult task with all means at their disposal and to guarantee the compliance of their directives by the subordinate sections. The German soldier stands before a historical task. It will depend on his energy and attitude whether Germany will be saved. War was not over yet! The commander of the Heeresgruppen were now free to act in their will, until further notice. However, on the very next day the embassies in the neutral and Axis countries were full of activity.

Would peace come soon?

Provisorical Government

Reichsverweser (regent): Generaloberst a.D. Ludwig Beck

Reichskanzler: , DNVP Vice-Chancellor: Wilhelm Leuschner, SPD Minister of foreign affairs: Friedrich-Werner Graf v.d. Schulenburg Minister of inner affairs: Julius Leber, SPD Minister of Justice: Eugen Bolz Minister of Finances: Ewald Loeser Minister of Working: Fritz Tarnow, SPD Minister of Economy: Paul Lejeune-Jung, Zentrum Minister of Agriculture: Hans Schlange-Schöningen, Landvolk Minister of culture: Kurt Schuschnigg, CS Minister of traffic: Cuno Raabe, Zentrum Minister of reconstruction: Bernhard Letterhaus, Zentrum Minister of armament: Albert Speer, NSDAP

Reichstagspräsident: Paul Löbe, SPD Reichsbankpräsident: Karl Blessing Reichsgerichtspräsident: Hans Koch Reichskriegsgerichtspräsident: Hans Oster Chief of police: Henning v. Tresckow Landesverweser Bayern: Eduard Hamm, DDP

A new government

February 20th, 1943, Reichskanzlei

After three long days the cabinett came together to talk to the situation. There were also Erwin v. Witzleben and a young man, who was sitting in the background.

Chancellor Goerdeler, DNVP, started the talks: "Meine Herren, we have now taken over the control. We need, however, to know the situation before making further steps. At first I need to know the situation in Germany."

Julius Leber, SPD: "We have started to take control over the administration. As most people in the administration are members of the Nazi party we need to work together with them. I would not like to do so, but it is a neccessity. We need to outlaw the party, but the members, well, we need to work with them together. But this is a minor issue at this very moment. The most urgent point is the redoing of all of these racial laws and other criminal laws, which the Nazis made. I already gave the order to the administration not to execute anything based upon these laws."

Goerdeler: "I already made a for such a law. However, until we got through all laws and other rules, it may last a while. That's why I only mentioned the the Nuremberg laws expressis verbis and only made hints, that the other criminal laws are to be considered as null and void from the very beginning. Later we can make a list of these criminal laws."

Leber, after reading the draft: "Excellent. We should at once publish this law. After that we need to make such a list. That will be a tough work."

There were no dissenting votes.

Leber: "The next point are the KZs. Here Mr. v. Tresckow might know more."

Henning v. Treckow, chief of the police: "Wehrmacht and police have liberated all KZ, Gestapo prisons and Ghettos. The situation there is a total mess. Very hard was the situation in the death camps. There crimes happened no one can immagine. Thousands of people murdered. And the rest living in the worst conditions. I have ordered food, pharmaceuticals and physicians to be sent to these locations. And although we have liberated them, some will die despite of it. We have arrested most of the people in the KZ and also other people. What shall we do with them?"

Eugen Bolz, Zentrum, minister of Justice: "We will solve it the right way. Germany was ever, well at least until Hitler came, a state of law. We need to make a tribunal to deal with these men. I ordered the persecution officials to these locations and centers. They have found masses of files. However, until all are read time will go by. It may take a year or more until a tribunal can start."

Goerdeler: "I know, some of you just want to shoot them. That's not the way. I think we need to show the world, that Germany is again a state of law. We might need to make it an international court. At least for the leaders."

Bolz: "Might be true. But we need to be cautious. It must be a fair trial. Even if that meant we need to let some of them free!"

Goerdeler: "Absolutely!"

In the next moments there were some discussions but finally they agreed to a tribunal.

Bolz: "The Volksgerichtshof was dissolved, the Reichsgericht has now the control. All death sentences were stopped from executing. We need to look at every single case again. There is much work to do."

Goerdeler: "Good. Then we have at least one task. I thought we would be out of work."

Some loughter happened.

Bolz: "Shall we keep this secret, as it might hurt our positions in the peace negotiations?"

Goerdeler and Leber unisono: "No!"

Goerdeler: "We need to show the differences between the Nazis and us. We are no Nazis. We are better, civilized. And we can't keep it secret. Better to be open and honest from the very beginning."

Goerdeler sighed.

Goerdeler: "Right. Now to our mess in the foreign relations. Are there any news?"

Friedrich-Werner Graf von der Schulenburg: "Yes and no. It seems Churchill, although officially condamning the putsch, is not refusing to talk. might not be the problem. But the Soviets and US are. I just got an answer by Molotow. He thinks Stalin won't change his mind so fast. He wants the total victory and refuses to talk. He sees us falling." v. Witzleben: "Manstein is just telliing him, how we are falling." v.d. Schulenburg: "Well, that's not my area. I can only say, that as long as Stalin doesn't see a peace better, even if it is only a truce, than war, he changes his mind. In so far he's thinking very capitalistic. If peace is opportun, he will do so. If not... We need to make the war so costly that he will accept talks."

Goerdeler: "And the US?" v.d.Schulenburg: "That's a mess, too. I never thought there is such a stubborness. They, too, demand unconditional surrender."

Goerdeler: "And what then?" v.d. Schulenburg: "Although they made this war aim only recently I don't think they made any real thoughts about that. There are several variants. In every variant Germany will be departed. The latest article in is an interview with the US secretary of treasury, Mr. Morgenthau. Appearantly he was ordered to make a plan by Roosevelt when he heard about the successful coup. It seems he is demanding the whole deindustrilisation of Germany. When asked, if the Germans could survive this way, he said, there are too many of them. It seems he plans making Germany a huge KZ. However, these plans are not actual and it will need some time, until they, perhaps, come. Right now Roosevelt doesn't even recognize our government! We can't talk to him at this very moment. Furthermore he is a very germanophob man. And if Stalin and he want to continue the war Britain will do the same."

Goerdeler: "Damn. This is a blow I did not expect. I expected making peace is not that difficulty. I mean starting to talk. What is the situation with our Allies?" v.d.Schulenburg: "We at first all reassured everyone war goes on. But I think they don't believe us totally. Especially the Japanese. And I guess the Italians will betray us. As long as Mussolini ist there, so ironical it sounds, the danger is less as he is fighting for survival. The others? Badoglio, Ciano and so on would switch the sides any moment they have the power. Mussolini would do ti, too, but he fears he will be lost then and so hopes for a wonder. can't hurt us much, but Italy? We need to be ready, if they act." v. Witzleben: "We already made a plan for such a case and will be able to act."

Goerdeler: "That leads us to the military situation. Marschall?" v. Witzleben: "The short version is, we're losing the war. If we continue this way, we are lost. We can only hope for a stalemate so that the war becomes too costly for the Allies. The situation is Russia is critical. However, Manstein is just executing a plan and it is looking good that it works. The situation in Africa is hopeless. Rommel is just attacking the US forces at the Kesserine pass in Tunesia. I gave him the complete chain of command and let v. Arnim be under Rommel's command. After this last offensive we will try to hold the line and retreat as many forces to Italy. The invasion danger there gives us the opportunity to send more troops to them, also to take the control in case of a betrayal."

Wilhelm Leuschner, SPD, vice chancellor: "But isn't that we would do, too?"

Leber: "Yes. That's politics." v. Witzleben: "Anyway. We have to deal with the possibility of an invasion in the Mediterranean. Where it will happen, I don't know. It is most likely they will attack in Italy. The war in the air is also problematical. The British attack the population centers with their night . They use hundreds of planes. We use flak and night fighters. It is also a technological run. We need to prepare better. Especially when the US really come. We need fighters. Luckily there are some new weapons ready in several months that may help us here. In Russia we are still able to conduct massive strategic attack on our own, albeit to a cost. We didn't do so until now as the war was lead only tactically. We don't have the Ural bombers general Wever wanted in the thirties, but the He 177 and He 111 bombers have the range to attack Chelyabinsk and other targets. If we can stabilise the front, as the factories are just in range. An attack at daylight would lead to losses, as the Russians would use fighters and we have no escorts. At night we would have problems to find the targets. If we do so we could hurt the Soviets massively. That and the destruction of dams, harbours, railway stations and so on can make the idfferences. The problems are, that we have not many heavy planes and the He 177 A1 variant, which is going to be replaced, is not totally working. Also we would need to spend much fuel in these attacks. The war at sea is also critical. Just until now we lost this year 12 Uboats but they sank 86 ships. Last year over 1.300 enemy ships were hit, but 86 Uboats lost. Unfortunately the US can build more ships than we are able to sink, especially as it seems we are going to lose more boats. However, also here there is light to see as a new class of boats is being planned. Hitler had ordered to scrap all major surface warships. I recalled the decision immediately. Instead I ordered all ships to be finished resp. repaired. Gneisenau will need some time to be ready again, but Scharnhorst will soon go to Norway to join Tirpitz. Lützow and Scheer are there, too, as well as the light Nürnberg. Prinz Eugen will join them soon. Admiral Hipper and Köln need repairs. Emden and Leipzig are only worth as training ships, like Schleswig-Holstein and Schlesien. Graf Zeppelin can be ready within a short time. But we need carrier planes for her. I would suggest only to take FW 190 for this role. They can be used as fighters as well as bombers or bombers. We have 19 and 33 torpedo boats active, with another 5 and 4 torpedo boats coming this year. These forces and the in Norway might be able to cut off the supply lines to Russia. In short: War cannot be won. But we can force the Allies to accept a peace. In so far we can win."

Ludwig Beck, Reichsverweser: "I agree with this summary."

Goerdeler: "That's a mess. Can we produce enough for this task?"

Albert Speer, former NSDAP, minister of armament: "Well, all I can say we can do better and we can produce much more. But we will never be able to outproduce all enemy nations. We need to spend our resources carefully. We need new effective weapons. A missile that can't hit a target smaller than isn't really worth to be developed. A missile that can sink a ship or shoot down a plane, well, yes."

After some discussions a last point was on the list.

Goerdeler: "We need also to discuss the new constitution. We all agree that failed. We all agree that we need to learn. We all agree that the new government must be a democratical one. But we need controls so that something like Hitler doesn't happen again. However, for the time being the Weimar constitution will be restored, albeit the civil rights must remain restricted, unfortunately."

Leber: "I agree. But I think I know what you want to say. I was ever a man of the parlamentarian system. Do we really want to reintroduce the monarchy?"

Goerdeler: "We need a symbol of the state. Versailles forced us this mess. And Weimar failed. But not everything was bad. We need a system of checks and balances. And a head of state we all can agree to. We need to learn from Weimar. The chancellor shall do the governmental work. He will be controlled by the parliament, which can elect and remove him."

Bolz: "That must be also seen carefully."

Goerdeler: "I know. But that are details. And we can't decide them now."

Leuschner: "But the crown prince? He is way too reactionary!"

"I know about the problems." the young man in the corner said. He was speaking the first time. He was Louis Ferdinand von Preußen. "My father will abdicate a day after monarchy will be restored. I will follow him, as my brother was excluded as he had married morganatically."

Leuschner: "Will the Allies accept that?"

Louis Ferdinand: "I hope so. I know many of them. I am a relative to the king of Britain and I know Roosevelt personally. He is a germanophob, yes, but I think we can talk to him, if he sees the situation. Also I have enough contacts into the USA. So for example I know Herny Ford."

Speer: "Don't be too optimistic. Hitler once told me that in 1939 a Texan oil tycoon came to him to talk about peace. Hitler himself offered and the Czechs, although without the German areas. But when he returned, Roosevelt did not want to hear anything about it. I think he wants to build up an empire on his own, at all costs. Only a decicive blow would make him rethinking the situation."

Goerdeler: "Then we need this blow. Or: Finis Germaniae."

______

Only a few days later the Allies published a note, where they declared, not to recognize the new German government as it would be a band of terrorists and murderers. Also they demanded the unconditional surrender.

Nazi resistance, February 17th to March 1st 1943

...In the initial phase of the coup in most places the Ersatzheer was able to disarm SS and SA and other Nazi units. Most Nazi leaders were caught or shot, few were on the run. One of the few, who could escape, was Adolf Eichmann. He managed it to be enlisted as army private. In early 1944 he was caught by the British in Italy during the Anzio landings. He was not recognized and could escape to after the war. Some more would follow him, but as many were caught the numbers were very low.

The forces of SS and SA who chose to fight were also low, as most units were shocked. The rumors, the SS had killed Hitler, had demoralized them mostly. So most of them were caught or disarmed without a fight. Also within the KZs the guards chose to give up, when the army commands came. Here there were also some lynchings of guards by the inmates. In most cases the German courts were not condamning these cases at all or gave only light sentences. It was still only a sidenote in history of this struggle.

The most resistance was however in Bavaria and parts of Austria. While Munich was soon under control of the Ersatzheer, Nuremberg was not. Here the SS and other Nazi formations were able to keep the control of the city for two days. Then it was obvious for all they would have no chance at all and most surrendered, while some fled or tried to do so. Also the speech of Crown Prince Rupprecht von Bayern had great influence on the Bavarians not to fight for the Nazis any more. In Nuremberg 444 soldiers and 1.588 Nazis had died in the three days, most of them with the final blow of the use of Tiger brought to Nuremberg just from the factories.

In Vienna the coup was also successful. Linz also resisted like Nuremberg two days.

The situation on the countryside was slightly more chaotic. But as it was clear the coup was successful, nearly everywhere resistance was given up. Only the Berchtesgaden- Braunau area remained in the hand of the Nazis for slightly over a week.

As most Nazi leader were in custody or dead, a counter coup could not be done by the SS. However, some especially fanatical HJ members somehow got the idea to make a counter coup on their own and try to blackmail the release of the men in custody. The day they wanted to act was on March 1st. This attempt was however betrayed by several boys, who were telling their parents about it. So on March 1st most of these boys were in custody. Only the most fanatical tried it, but most were overwhelmed and arrested. A few however were shot in the fights against the police when they opened fire. Years later neo Nazis would praise them as the 9 March fallen heroes. But then they would play no political role any more.

At the front the SS units and the Wehrmacht units came to a very pragmatic solution in the face of the enemy. They would fight the foreign enemy and wait for new orders. Until then they would act in the name of Germany and fight the common enemies. Astonishingly this worked and was kept.

What was left was the so called Brotherhood of the Führer (Bruderschaft des Führers). They were from former members of the Nazo organs, who survived partly in the underground and committed some terror attacks. It is persumed that Otto Skorzeny was their leader, until he was arrested and joined the armed forces again. Most of them died in the bombing raids. The few survivors were hunted down or hid and many of them did not act later. A second generation was formed but lacked in everything, especially as after the assassination of Le Jeune-Jung the industry did not support them any more, as their main target was killed, the man who wanted to nationalise them, as well as the was now way too great. One could say it was only a huge assassination plot against Le Jeune-Jung. So this second generation had to fail from the very first moment. Most of them were caught as well. A last generation would follow, only to publish the dissolving in 1955, five years from the last terroristical attack on a Synagogue.

In the following chapters I will show the history of the Brotherhood in detail...

From: Johannes Hüter, Terrorismus in Deutschland, Vol. 1: Die Bruderschaft des Führers, Vorwort, pp. II-IV, Munich 2008

Stalin's Stalingrad

February 20th, 1943, Moscow, Kremlin:

Stalin was sitting in his office. He phoned* with someone when Foreign minister Wjatscheslaw Molotow entered the room to talk to Stalin.

Stalin: "Towarischtsch Popow. I tell you for the last time! Don't retreat. The Germans were already retreating when Hitler died. Now they are headless and on the run. What you face is only the last attack of some fanaticals. So attack!" After a moment he slammed the phone.

"Damn idiot. The Germans are headless and on the run! Only some units in the rear and Popow wants to retreat. Now in the moment of victory. Wjatscheslaw, I tell you: In only a few months we're at Berlin."

Molotow: "Woschd (=Leader=Führer!), I don't think the Germans are beaten. There is a new government in Berlin. It might become worse now for us."

Stalin: "Nonsense! They are on the run. Soon Berlin will fall. And then we can go farther west. Paris and then Madrid. We will conquer ! There is only a band of cowards in Berlin. You will soon see victory is ours."

Molotow: "You're right. But I don't trust the Germans. They might have something hidden. We should be aware!"

Stalin: " You're too cautious. They are beaten. I will now write a general order to attack and to forbid retreating in any case!"

*Popow phoned OTL with his superior Watutin and not Stalin. ______

Popow was right, when he wanted to retreat. Manstein was indeed planning a massive counter strike. Morale remained high in the German Army, despite the death of Hitler. It seemed there was even a morale boost in some units. There were few incidents, as most knew this war was now a war to defend the Fatherland and no longer a war for Lebensraum .

Only two days later Manstein launched his assault. Popow's Army, who was running out of supplies, was encircled as was the Soviet (sic!). Both armies were destroyed. In this moment a hole of 200 km was within the Soviet lines. Manstein attacked. And Stalin still did not give the order to retreat. As it became clear, that the Germans indeed made a full offensive and indeed struck through the Soviet lines, Stalin finally gave the order to retreat. Kharkow however, had to be defended, so he sent the 1st Guard to the city to help the 3rd Tank Army and the 69th Army. That was a bad decision as on March 11th the Heer was able to close the encirclement of Kharkow. Despite from attacks from Soviet forces, the former SS was able to retake Kharkow and destroy these three armies. Especially the loss of Stalin's guard was a serious blow for him, next to losing the 4th biggest city of the again. The whole attack costed the Soviets 5 Armies and nearly 300.000 men.

The status quo ante, except at Kursk, was nearly reached. Stalin had lost every advantage he had after Stalingrad. He would see war would continue even when Hitler was dead.

Manstein now prepared for defence. He wanted to beat again out of the backhand. And now he prepared to defend his positions.

Stalin would soon see that the Germans started a new kind of war he wasn't prepared.

Kasserine Pass, 19.-27.02.1943

The battle of Kasserine Pass was most likely the most important battle in Africa during ww2. Not because of the result, not because of changing the course of the war in Africa, as it was way too late to do so, not because of allowing the nearly total retreat of the German and Italian forces, but because of a small detail.

The newly formed Heeresgruppe Afrika was in a desperate situation. Only the day after the Battle of Kasserine Pass started the general order for retreat was given. Rommel, however, disobeyed the order to beat one of the two enemies he had. The US II. as part of the British 1st Army. It was coming from in the west, while Montgomery's 8th Army advanced from the East.

In Tunisia the Germans had recently won the battles of Faid and Sidi Bou Zid against the US. And the third defeat was now to come.

Rommel's plan was initially to take Tébessa, the main US supply base in this area. Taking it would not only have a significant boost in the own supply situation but would also deny the US to build up a force threatening his flank or to link up with the attackers of the . Indeed he himself could then outflank the British 1st Army. However, he was ordered to attack at Kasserine and Thala at first. Rommel however, wanted to take Tébessa directly.

However, while the Italian 1st Army should defend the Mareth line alone, he got the entire 5th Army under his command. (OTL he got only two Panzer divisions).

On February 19th the battle started. The very next day the US lines were crushed. The US M 3 Stuart and M 3 Lee tanks were no matches for Panzer IV or even the few Tiger tanks. The Italian 7th Bersaglieri Regiment fought bravely under the command of Col. Luigi Bonfatti, who was killed himself.

The next day, after losing a night fight to the Italian 131th Armoured Division Centauro, the US 1st Armoured Division was on the run. Rommel formed tow attack spearheads, one against Haidra, the other against Thala. The Germans were breaking through the pass, and although there were some points where they faced stiff resistance, they crushed it away. Rommel ordered one part of the forces to attack in the night, while the others should rest. So his forces arrived and took Thala. The Allied replacement forces came in too few or too late. The divisional of the 1st Armoured division was cought in surprise and captured. 48 guns made a voyage of 1.700 km in five days in vain.

The Germans then turned west and took Tébessa. Now the US 9th infantry division was cut off supplies and Command B of the 1st Armoured was trapped and enclosed, as the Germans took the next way to Tébessa, the southern route.

In the meantime the southern group was also able to penetrate the lines and neared Tébessa, too. In the following time the Allied forces were on the run and indeed routed. In the following time the 1st Armoured Division and the 9th Infantry Division were both enclosed and surrendered. Sbiba in the east, although initially defended, was now given up. Even a US air strike could not do much damages.

In the following time the Allies retreated to to build up a new defense line. Rommel himself retreated as he wanted to save his . Only some units were ordered to drive in the desert with captured vehicles. Indeed the manoeuvre let the Allies believe, he had strong armoured divisions in the desert preparing for the battle. And after morale was broken, a bold strike did not happen. So for over a month the 1st Army waited for a strike that would never happen.

In the meantime Rommel risked much and send most units, he could spend, south to await Montgomery. And Monty came.

At March 19th and March 27th he tried it twice to penetrate the defenses. Within this time a good number of troops could be evacuated. The retreat remained in good order, even after the Mareth line fell on April 11th.

The British 1st Army then, under the command of General Patton himself, who was way too angry about the whole situation to let another general make this job, attacked, too. But now Rommel had enough forces left to slow him down.

By May the 7th the Allies atarted with the naval blockade operation Retribution. However, at this moment most equipment was already sent to Italy and only 32.000 men were in Tunesia. Most men were indeed evacuated before April started. The Luftwaffe made a final rescue operation on May 9th and rescued 5.866 men, among them all generals. Hardly 27.000 men were there when the Heeresgruppe Afrika surrendered. It is said Eisenhower, Patton and Montgomery were in a strong debate, who has failed to trap the whole group and why Retribution came so late.

However, at Thala the Germans captured a US general, who was sent there by Eisenhower himself, general Ernest N. Harmon. He was wounded and his killed when the Germans attacked the line surprisingly in the night. So his bag was captured, too. And a single paper he had with him later had a great impact.

Berliner Morgenpost, 20.02.1943

Quote:

Extrablatt Quote:

Nazi-Verbrechen ungeheuren Ausmaßes aufgedeckt Quote:

I have to confess, that I needed a long time to start writing. I am a reporter for over 25 years and I thought I already saw everything. How wrong I was! This story made me speechless. I had to realize it. And I have to asky myself, how was it able that it was hidden for so long. I really have to confess, I did not know that! I only heard about that once, on BBC at Christmas 1942. However, I thought it was propaganda as it was in ww1. I was not right.

After the death of Hitler I got the message to have a look on the KZs. So I went to Sachsenhausen. And what I saw there was unbelievable. Horror. There were humans, who were nearly only skeletons. Hardly any of them had real clothes. Some were even naked despite the low temperatures. They were nevertheless ordered to make heavy work. Most of them would not have survived for long. And although there are now food and medical care, some people there will die nevertheless. And what was their crime to be there? To be a Jew, a Gypsie or having dissenting opinions than the Führer.

I heard stories from the survivors, which are horrifying. One inmate gave another a piece of bread. A supervisor saw that and beat the man, who got the bread. This man fell and the supervisor jumped on his chest and killed him. The other inmate was send away and warned not to do so again.

Other stories are similar horrifying. Like men, who were hung naked on meat hooks. They didn't die instantly, but were strangled slowly. And that was filmed.

The local population was sent to look at there, too. Many had no ideas, some however confessed they knew it. How many deniers knew or did not want to have known it I don't know. I can only speak for myself. I didn't know it!

A massive campaign to help these poor people has started. Massive help will be needed.

The SS guards were arrested. Also persecution authorities are now doing their work. But it seems there are many people involved. These trials will last long. But this has to be made. Also there are rumors to build an extra court to try the leadership of this.

Albert Müller

______Todeslager

As it seems there are not only the KZs, but also death camps. These camps are Auschwitz, Treblinka, Belzec, Majdanek and Sobibor. The people there were carried there to with trains. Then their hairs were shaved, they had to pull out their clothes and were then gassed. After that the SS guards were pulling out the golden teeth of the dead persons.

Also we got hints that physicians without any scruples were making medical treatments. So for example men had to swim in cold water and it was looked, how long it lasted before they drowned or died of cold. Or it was tested, what way the best was to rescue them. What means would be the best. One was warmed with fire, others with naked female inmates. Or operations, in which the inmates were fully awake.

These camps are now closed and the SS guards are arrested. There were even some cases in which inmates killed SS guards after the liberation.

A persecution official said to me, he did not see something before. It will ast some time until the courts will be ready with these trials.

Herbert Schröder

The Morgenthau-Plan, February 19th 1943 - May 5th 1945

The coup in Germany caught the Allies in complete surprise. Until now the Allies had really no idea about the time after the unconditional surrender. The question now was what to do. President Roosevelt had talked to several people in his staff and finally gave Henry J. Morgenthau Jr. the order to make such a plan. Already on February 19th, during the last meeting with Roosevelt, Morgenthau had the basic ideas of the plan:

1. Demilitarisation of Germany 2. East to Poland and Soviet Union, Silesia to Poland, Saarland to . 3. Partition of Germany into a Northern and a Southern state, which was to be in a tax union with Austria. 4. Demontage of all industries, especially in the Ruhr area, which was to be under international administration 5. Reparations only from the existing means, no reparations in future 6. Denazification 7. Federal structures 8. Control of the German economy for at least the next 20 years. 9. Land reforms 10. Trials against the war criminals And some minor points.

These basic points were made public on the very same day. At this day Roosevelt, after talking to Stalin and Churchill, published a note with these aims. Furthermore the Allies did not recognize the new German government and still demanded the unconditional surrender.

However, not everyone in the US government was happy with this plan. The secretaries and Stimson were against this and tried to act against them from the very beginning. However, due to the horrific news from Germany, KZs and death camps, Morgenthau and Roosevelt could launch their campaign against the campaign Stimson and Hull were planning to launch. Due to these news ironically the German government reached the opposite what they intended in the US. The will of revenge and punishment grew. At last Stimson and Hull resigned end of March 1943.

However, both still argued against the . They both gave evidences, what was already assumed in the very beginning: That about 20-40 millions of Germans could not be feed. Morgenthau himself had admitted these numbers himself from the very beginning. He also said, that there are way too man Germans already. Although modern historicians don't totally agree about the motives, as some want to see a kind of Appeasement towards Churchill and Stalin, while others have the motive of hatred against the Germans by Roosevelt, Roosevelt backed up this plan.

After Teheran, Churchill and Stalin finally agreed to the Morgenthau plan, which was now fully elaborated.

The opposition was silenced by several means and again there are still discussions whether all of these means were really legal. The opposition, however, became more and more support after the decision, that the elections of 1944 were postponed until after the war. Roosevelt felt, that he might lose these elections and so "excused" this with the war situation. He got the support by the Congress. Nevertheless it seemed he had reached his limit.

After this in his own party the opposition formed behind Cordell Hull. He was supported by Stimson and other prominent Democrats. However, also several members of the GOP decided to join them. Their main argument was ironically the German example: Even as there was war, the Germans could make an election, which was without big problems. Indeed the few problems here and there were in no way enough to be used in the propaganda, when it became obvious, that more happened in the last US election.

With this opposition also the opposition against the Morgenthau plan grew within the . In Britain the former minister Anthony Eden also formed an opposition, which indeed forced Churchill to abandon the demanding of the execution of this plan and finally to revoke all support. That however happened only in February 1945.

This pressure and the growing war weariness caused President Truman, as President Roosevelt had died in April 1945, to renounce the plan on May 5th, 1945. Instead a new plan, JCS 1067, was to be installed.

However, Truman still insisted on the dogma of the unconditional surrender.

Reichskanzlei, March 1st 1943

Admiral Canaris gave his report of the unification of Abwehr and the other secret services to Chancellor Goerdeler himself. After the greetings he reported:

Canaris: "The situation seems pretty good. Most members of Gestapo, SD and RSHA have decided to join the Abwehr. Indeed most of them are more interested in their career than in the ideology. However, we're busy to collect data about our new men. We can soon be pretty sure about them. Indeed I have initiated several projects, in which the most fanatical Nazis or other unwished elements, who joined us, are to be cleared."

Goerdeler: "Do you think, they will accept the new leadership?"

Canaris: "Well, some won't. But even of them many will stay calm, as they don't want to endanger themselves. We need to get the people out, who might be a danger. Not only in the Abwehr, but in the administration, industry and Wehrmacht, too. Therefore some projects were started. There are some agents provocateurs active."

Goerdeler: "Good! How is the situation abroad?"

Canaris: "The Résistance was and still is successfully infiltrated. Also the British spy ring in the Netherlands is under our control. It seems the Soviet spy ring in Germany was silenced, until now at least. Fortunately some former Soviet spies were found due to the investigations already. If we're lucky we might be able to control them, too. Also some Western Allied spies were found, some of them also came to us on their own, as they were fighting against Hitler and not their country. We can use them."

Goerdeler: "Excellent. What about the situation in the US, Britain or Soviet Union?"

Canaris: "While we have some sources in the east, the situation is much more complicated in England or the US. We have no real source there as nearly all spies were captured there as they landed. We need to do it better there."

Goerdeler: "Indeed. What is the situation in Italy?"

Canaris: "We have started there some projects. We got a good source in the anti Mussolini league. He is not a friend of Mussolini, but, too, an anti communist. He fears, if the western Allies win, the communistic parties might be able to rule the land. As he has some perspectives in the time after Mussolini, he will be a good source. Two other generals made contact with some of our ladies. We should now be able to get news if something happens there."

Goerdeler: "Will something happen there?"

Canaris: "Ouff. Difficult to say. If we can contain the Soviets, well there is the chance no coup can happen. If, however, the Allies land in Italy itself, everything is possible. Right now Mussolini is in troubles. He has simply no other option than we. He will lose his power if he goes to the Allies. To the Soviets he can't go either. And alone he would be overthrown. He doesn't like the new government here though, but needs us. If a coup happens we are clearly warned that the Italians will betray us. The new Italian government I mean. We need to prepare for that."

Goerdeler: "That's the whole situation?"

Canaris: "In short yes. In detail you need to read my rapport. And partly ask me again, as I did not write everything. The walls might have eyes, you know."

Goerdeler: "I see. Well, if that's all, I can send in someone, who wanted to talk to me and you."

Canaris was very interested, when Werner Heisenberg entered the room.

After the initial greetings Heisenberg started to talk:

Heisenberg: "At first I must confess I made a perhaps fatal error. I am head of the Uraniumproject, as you already know. Hitler wanted to build a bomb out of it. We did not want to give him one, so we told him some small lies. However, we were clear that in the US they would try to build something like that. So I tried to contact the US physicists. I went to Niels Bohr in Denmark and told him that. However, it seems I just got the opposite what I wanted. It seems he misunderstood me completely and was way too terrified. So he went into the USA. I fear they could now try to build a bomb."

Goedeler: "Good God! That are the worst news I can immagine. When did that happen, this talk?"

Heisenberg: "1941."

Canaris: "I had heard only some rumors about it and was never sure the US would even try it. But now, I am very certain they try it!"

Goerdeler: "What does this mean exactly? Do they build a bomb?"

Canaris: "I think so. And if they started in 1941, they have an advantage."

Heisenberg: "It might be even earlier. If we look at the people there, Einstein, Teller, Fermi..."

Goerdeler: "Can we get the bomb, too? And before the US?"

Heisenberg: "Well, we can try. There are two problems for both of us. We need Uranium and heavy water. We have some uranium from Belgish Congo and some other sources and some Heavy water from a factory in Norway. As it is our only source, the factory might be destroyed by the Allies. We would need to build an own factory. And we would need to get another Uranium source. The US will have the same problem. We might be able to reach them because of that. But that's not totally sure."

Goerdeler: "I will send prospectors out to find new resources. On this way we can hide the searching for Uranium. And we need also new heavy water factories."

Heisenberg: "However, Dr. Carl Friedrich v. Weizsäcker has already a patent for such a bomb. So theoretically we might be farer than we thought, given his calculations are real. The only problem is, is Germany able to make such a project?"

Goerdeler: "I have to talk to Speer. However, it seems we must. As for now it seems not possible to make an understanding with the Allies not to build the bomb as they would know what we would know now. Just at this moment it seems we have an advantage, we should not give up. Admiral, you need to deal with that extremely cautious. Only tell people personally. As they should reply on this way only. It must be a complete secret! No telephone or so."

Canaris: "Understood!"

An hour later Speer appeared. Leber, too. After telling them the news, both were terrified.

Speer: "Such a project will cost billions. I am just cancelling the projects not neccessary and concentrating on the few we need. Also I would like to send women into the factories to free up more men."

Goerdeler: "Do so."

Speer: "It might be possible, as we could skip the A4 project and use this instead. Also we need to build strategic bombers able to carry such a bomb, also to the USA. But that freezes down resources we need elsewhere. We need fighters, especially the new jet fighters. We need surface to air missiles. We need anti ship missiles. We need new assault rifles and new Uboats. In short we need to beef up the conventional armament, too."

Leber: "I was ever a friend of the emancipation, that would be a good step for it. However, such a project... Is there really no chance to avoid it?"

Goerdeler: "No. We need to react or everything is in vain. The only chance to avoid such a weapon being used is having it ourselves."

Canaris: "I guess the Soviets will try to get it, too."

Leber: "Personally I don't agree to such a weapon. I can't. However, I won't oppose it, too. It is clear I won't telly anyone outside this room."

After a discussion, Speer, Heisenberg and Canaris left. There was much to do now for them.

Leber: "Let me be clear, and it will be the last word to this topic for now. You persuaded me only not to oppose it. But personally I am."

Goerdeler: "So am I. But we have no alternative. But another topic: "How is the situation in the Länder ?

Leber: "Fine. Most in the administration are doing their job. It seems they are accepting the situation, at least for now. Also the parties are refounding themselves. I think in six months we can make elections to the Reichstag."

Goerdeler: "At least some good news today."

Leber: "The Reichstag will the choose a commission to make a new constitution. So in one year we might be able to have a real government."

Goerdeler: "We need some preliminary works to fasten this up. Every party should send some specialists to make some proposals. Of course only the democratical parties, so no Commies or Nazis."

Leber: "I agree. However, we might face problems with the elections."

Goerdeler: "We could invite some Swedes or Swiss to have an eye on the elections. I will also invite some Allies, but they won't come. And during the elections we will see, if they want to disturb them.

A few things are discussed before Goerdeler sits down in his chair. He won't forget this day for his whole life.

Operation Elch

Operation Elch was the first offensive planned and conducted after Hitler's death. It would be indeed the only successful strategic campaign with a long lasting effect in Europe. Although the first air strikes against Murmansk and Archangelsk on February 28th are not the beginning of the operation, as that was the attack against Tankograd a week later, it marked a fanal of the whole campaign.

Archangelsk and Murmansk were the northern harbours of the Soviets, where the US lend lease equipment was delivered. Indeed most of it was done via Wladiwostok or , this way was much shorter. But because of the Arctic summer, where the sun doesn't set in the night, the convoys were terminated then. Indeed JW 53 was to return a day later. So much equipment was still on the ships when the Luftwaffe attacked shortly after midnight. Although Flak fire was heavy at Murmansk, the attack on Archangelsk came a bit surprising for the Soviets. Only about 100 planes attacked the harbours each, but it was enough to sink or damage the ships and destroy a good part of the freight. But this was only the first strike. And from the Soviet side no consequences followed.

So the attacks of Tankograd happened. Indeed the Soviets had built up several huge armour factories at Chelyabinsk in the Ural mountains. They were sure to be out of range of the German bombers. But as the Germans were in the Ukraine, this was not totally true. It was just within the range of German He 177, Do 217 and He 111 bombers. On March 7th, just when the battle of Kharkow was still fought, the Germans set on the moment of surprise. And caught the Russians on the wrong foot. They were completely surprised, when 498 bombers started at dawn from bases in the Ukraine. The flew too high and were way too much so that only few Russian fighter pilots could reach them. The Russians were used to fight in relative small numbers and near to the ground. This time they had to fight huge numbers and very high in the air. Because of detailed reconaissance flights in the weeks before, the Germans knew their target perfectly. Tankograd was hit very badly already on the first bombing run. Another four would follow in the nights after. Then the whole complex was badly hit. The whole production of a month was lost when the railway station was hit at the very first bombardment and the trains there were hit. Only one train got through. And the factories there producing T 34 and KW 1 tanks and artillery. Also the prototype of the IS 1 heavy tank was destroyed as well as the files. The Soviet abilities to produce tanks were limited very strongly after these attacks. Indeed whole factories had to be rebuilt, so that for over 6 months you could not even think about producing. When they finally indeed started production in a normal but still limited way, it was December. But not only Tankograd was hit. Only the first attacks in the first week were flown at day. The others at night. And only one week later the Baku oilfields were attacked and destroyed in the night from March 12th to March 13th 1943. German bombers came again twice in the following nights and cause even more damages on the oil fields. Indeed many oil sources burnt for months, four for even nearly a year. Also the refineries were hit. In the next months the Luftwaffe continued these attacks and destroyed railways, dams, factories and other strategic targets. The Soviets were forced to send whole wings to protect the infrastructure, which were missed at the front. New night fighter were ordered in London and Washington, but only few came. And an own RADAR system had to be introduced. From the beginning to the end of the campaign half a year later the Germans should lose 128 planes- while the list of destruction was way longer. And nothing seemed to work, except trying to attack the air fields of the Luftwaffe, which was only partly successful. The Red Army lacked now in many things even more than before. And the tanks they bought by the western Allies, were considered to be inferior. Also gasoline was rare and many planes had to be brought to the hinterland to defend it. The result of these attack were seen as one reason, why the 4th battle of Kharkow was lost. After half a year Stalin had built up a better defence. And many planes were needed to defend the huge distances. Furthermore new factories were built behind the Ural, just to avoid the bombings. At this moment the planes were needed elsewhere, and although the bombing runs never ceased totally, Operation Elch was officially terminated on November 10th 1943. The damages were hitting the Soviet war industry very badly.

Reichskanzlei, March 28th, 1943

Goerdeler met this day, again, Generalfeldmarschall v. Witzleben. Also Graf von der Schulenburg was present.

Goedeler: Feldmarschall, how is the situation?

Witzleben: The situation is slightly better than the last time. The Soviets were repelled and suffered great losses. The Operation Elch is a stunning success and will hit the Soviets hard.

Goerdeler: Excellent.

Witzleben: The East Front is quiet at the moment as the beginning mus is now limiting every operation. In Africa the situation is not that good. However, the retreat is in working. We should be able to retreat most forces there. I will try to retreat as many Germans as possible. We should have only few German soldiers remaining when the forces must surrender.

Goerdeler: What will happen then?

Witzleben: Either the Allies land in Italy or on the Balcan. I strongly think it will be Italy.

Schulenburg: Then Italy will switch the sides. If there is a coup they will do so. Regardless how good the situation in Russia is.

Goerdeler: We need a plan for this case. Especially we need to keep the Regia Marina from joining the Allies.

Witzleben: A plan is being made. I have also to talk to Canaris. Something is strange nonetheless. The British bombings were reduced dramatically. There were only few attacks and only a few planes being used. At day the US attacks are still there but in no way real threatening, at least not now.

Schulenburg: Perhaps Churchill and Roosevelt are not agreeing what to do next? I have some hints about that.

Witzleben: Likely. But I think that won't last long. They will continue soon. And we are ready to act. Therefore we can't extend Operation Elch. The war at sea- there are no big news. Except Graf Zeppelin will be ready in about 6 months, likely 8. She should be operational within a year.

Goerdeler: I thought she was nearly ready, why the long time?

Witzleben: Well yes. But we need to build the new FW 190 planes for her and train the crews. As that will last some time we can use it to make some changes with her. We are going to delete the 15 cm guns and so we should be able to carry more planes.

Goerdeler: Will she be of value?

Witzleben: Yes. In the Northern Ocean she can be of value against enemy planes as well as against the convoys to Russia.

Goerdeler: Were there any changes in command?

Witzleben: Yes. Keitel was dismissed, as was Milch. Some others, too. Manstein, although no friend of Beck, is happy to lead the whole Eastern Front, and Guderian is now Generalfeldmarschall. Model, hmm, he was very close to Hitler and has not many friends. However, he is a soldier and has resumed at his post. I talked to him and he wants to continue his job. He's simply a professional. Kammhuber is now in charge of the night fighters and Galland of the day fighters. Also a naval air arm was reintroduced as several units of the Luftwaffe were transferred to the navy. They will benefit from that. I have nothing else to report but a question: General Wlasow asked me to build up a Free Russian Army to fight against the Soviets.

Schulenburg: That would be a good idea. Also we should reinstall governments in the Baltic states, Belorussia and the Ukraine. They can then fight on our side.

Goerdeler: Then we should do so. Give the order to do so, Marschall. And we will also reinstall these republics. Although I fear many of them we have to throw under the bus later.

Schulenburg: That's politics.

Goerdeler: Indeed.

Schulenburg: I was again contacted by Pétain. He wants to ask for a peace treaty.

Goerdeler: Good idea. We should make peace with France- to our conditions.

Witzleben: But we can't retreat from France. When the Allies invade...

Goerdeler: Of course not. We can only leave if the Allies accept the neutrality.

Schulenburg: They won't.

Goerdeler: Presumably. Then I think France has to declare war on the Allies. And we are no longer occupants. We should make a proposal and also have to contact the Italians.

Schulenburg: I will make it so.

Goerdeler: Perhaps we can also ask the smaller Allies for a seperate peace.

Schulenburg: They won't accept.

Goerdeler: I know. But it is the best to show that we want peace. Then the Allies are the belligerents.

After some other things to be discussed Schulenburg and Witzleben left the room.

______

Moscow, Kremlin, the same day

Molotow enters Stalin's office. He is talking to an officer, who is soon dismissed. Stalin is furious.

Stalin: Tankograd destroyed for 95%. It will last nearly a year until the production is like before the attack. And then Baku. We are now running out of oil! That's a catastrophe!

Molotow: Yes, woschd. I already let our allies know we need oil, tanks and night fighters as well as RADAR. But it will last some time.

Stalin: And these tanks are inferior, I know. Only the worst for us.

Molotow: Yes. However, that's not the worst. We need also trucks and other supplies. And they have to be sent, too. Meaning the more tanks we buy the less other equipment can be sent.

Stalin: We need a second front. Make pressure the Brits and Yanks will finally act.

Molotow: They said, they will land in Italy later this year.

Stalin: Italy. Italy? Italy! Italy is not sufficient. It must be France! Tell them.

Molotow: Yes, woschd.

Stalin: And in the summer we must attack with old stuff. And we will then have supply problems as well. But we must win. Or next year it will be too late. We must beat the Germans back!

Molotow: And making peace?

Stalin: No! Never! Not until Berlin is taken. And I don't want to hear this word again!

______

A week later the Battle of the Ruhr started.

Battle of the Ruhr, April 3rd- May 27th 1943

General Kammhuber had started to make the night fighters more efficient. He also made new plans how to fight the enemy. However, he had few time, as on April 3rd the British attacked. 442 planes attacked Essen, although only 153 were over the target. 15 attackers were shot down. When the formations left Germany 158 He 177 planes and some night fighters followed them. Just when the British bombers landed on their air fields, a number of fighters made a single attack followed by a bombing of the air fields by the bombers. The British were totally surprised as they assumed the RADAR echoes were their planes. 18 bombers were shot down resp. destroyed on the ground by the fighters, while another 52 were destroyed by the bombing runs. Additionally 4 air fields were put out of action and 2 others damaged to a lesser degree. 6 German planes were shot down. The British had losses and needed to replace them as well as trying to cope with the new tactics. After a week, in which only some smaller raids of 2-4 Mosquitos happened, they flew another attack with 149 Wellington bombers. Due to the weather they did not find the target, furthermore 13 machines were lost. This time only some night fighters followed. When the British planes landed, 34 more were shot down. The British then, on May 1st, attacked Eder and Möhne dams, but although over 1.600 people died, there were hardly effects on the power supply of the Ruhr Area. Ironically it was the same night as the Germans did their attack on the Soviet dams, which became the seperate operation Eisenhammer. In that attack 8 of the 12 turbines were hit and 75% of the industrial power supply was lost. As the turbines were made by AEG there was hardly a replacement. The British however lost 40% of the planes. Only a few days later the British tried to attack Dortmund. 826 planes were able to hit the Hoesch steelworks hard. 40 planes were lost. This time however, there was some delay within the German bombers so that they were not able to catch the British bombers and so gave it up this time. However, sometimes you don't need to do it on your own. The British night fighters were amassed over Essex to wait for the Germans. The last British wave was a bit late. So the British night fighters thought that would be the Germans. As the British bomber pilots had strict order of radio silence, they did not give their position. So the British fighters attacked. In the course of the next 15 minutes another 36 bombers and 8 night fighters were shot down. It remains unclear why it lasted so long to recognize the own machines. They were clearly strategic bombers with 4 motor gondles. The Germans had only a few of such type. The British bombers did not fire identification flares as they thought the attackers were Germans. Even when the first night fighters saw the mistake, others continued to attack. This "battle of Essex" became infamous. And shortly after the Germans indeed attacked with some night fighters, shootin down another 30 bombers. Then they retreated. This time the bombers thought at first of another attack and they called the fighters. But as they were, too out of ammo, they could nothing else do as saying they were not attacking the bombers. This attack lead to the ceasing of all offensive operations and the complete end of the Battle of the Ruhr soon after. The losses were high and the British needed to think about counter measures to the Germans. Furthermore Arthur Harris thought it would be a better idea to attack the living quaters even more to break the morale, which he supposed to be already low because of the death of Hitler. That a continuation would have led to a massive blow in the steel industry of Germany he did not see. He wanted to break the morale. So he ordered to attack Hamburg, Berlin and finally Dresden.

______

Tokyo, April 16th 1943

Admiral Yamamoto was ordered to talk to the Emperor. The new situation in the Pacific but also in Europe the empror wanted to discuss with him. He wanted to visit the front at Guadalcanal, but so had to go back to Tokyo.

Hirohito: Admiral. Nice to see you again. I want to talk to you. Do you want to join me looking for the cherry trees?

Yamamoto: Of course, your majesty.

While going into the garden, Hirohito dismissed his guards.

Hirohito: I have to talk to you alone. I am the emperor, bit I have no power. I am only a puppet, whom nobody tolds much."

Yamamoto: Your majesty, this isn't...

Hirohito: It is true. Well, I do want to know the situation.

Yamamoto: Nearly all fronts are statical. We are not able to break through on several fronts. Indeed we should have reached the point I already warned for.

Hirohito: Yes, you told me you could fight and win against the US for a year. Now we already have lost some battles. And we are going to lose more.

Yamamoto: Your majesty, we will fight...

Hirohito: I know. I never doubted in you or any other of our brave men. But you warned me the industrial abilities of the US. Is it so bad?

Yamamoto: Yes.

Hirohito: What's the situation in Europe?

Yamamoto: The war continues, but I guess both Germany and Italy would want to make peace as soon as possible. Now the Allies refuse...

Hirohito: That can nevertheless change very quickly. How peaceful this garden is in these days!

Yamamoto: Yes. But unfortunately not everywhere.

Hirohito: Yes. And even the son of Amaterasu can't do everything. We have no power over the eagle.

Yamamoto: Understood, your majesty.

Hirohito: It is a strong Eagle. But he fights with two dragons.

After some more words, the Admiral is dismissed. That evening he was invited into the German embassy to get the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and .

North , March 17th, 1943

Kapitänleutnant Bernhard Zurmühlen looked through his periscope on U-600. He was within the convoy HX-229, which wan on the way from Halifax to Britain. It was 5:50 AM. He was in attack position.

Zurmühlen:

Ziel: Frachter, ca. 6.000 BRT, Richtung 310°, Kurs 75°, Entfernung 950 m, Geschwindigkeit 8 kn. Rohr 1 los!

(Target: Freighter of about 6.000 grt, bearing 310°, heading 75°, range 950 m, speed 8 sm. Tube 1 fire).

Ziel: Frachter, ca. 9.000 BRT, Richtung 350°, Kurs 76°, Entfernung 500 m, Geschwindigkeit 8 kn. Rohr 2 und 3 los!

Ziel: Tanker, ca. 10.000 BRT, Richtung 330°, Kurs 76°, Entfernung 1.200 m, Geschwindigkeit 8 kn. Rohr 4 los!

Ziel: Frachter, ca. 5.000 BRT, Richtung 190°, Kurs 76°, Entfernung 800 m, Geschwindigkeit 8 kn. Rohr 5 los!

From 5:56 AM to 5:58 AM U-600 fired 5 FAT torpedoes on the convoy HX- 229. The FAT torpedo was indeed not a real new torpedo, as for it the existing G7a (compressed air) and G7e (electrical propulsion) were used. However it had a kind of guidance system. After a certain range, which could be programmed, the torpedo turned to one side (also progammable) and returned. on this way even a miss could mean than another ship or the very same ship were hit, but then from the other side. FAT means Federapparattorpedo (Feather device torpedo) and not flächenabsuchender Torpedo (pattern running torpedo.

Zurmühlen looked through his periscope. Only little later he saw four hits and heard another one. Indeed the ships Irénée du Pont (US), 6.125 grt, Nariva, 8.714 grt and Southern Princess (both UK), 12.156 grt were hit, but only the last was sunk by him directly. With this whale factory ship 10.053 ton of oil and 463 tons of locomotives and were sunk. U-91 under Kapitänleutnant Heinz Walkerling finished both ships off as attempts by the Allies were not successful. With them 5.800 tons general cargo, 3.200 tons oil and 12 medium bombers (Irénée du Pont) resp. 5.600 tons refrigerated food were lost. 20 sailors were dead as well. The last hit with the stern torpedo on a freighter was not confirmed by the Allies.

These were not the only ships to be sunk on this day and the next days. Indeed the battle of HX 229 and SC 122 demanded 22 ships with 146.596 grt and cargo worth several million $. Only one Uboat, U-384 under Hans-Achim von Rosenberg-Gruszcynski, was sunk with all hands by a bomber. This was the final action of this convoy battle. Indeed the Uboats were under more and more pressure. The attack on these convoys were tasking place in the area known as gap. In this part of the North Atlantic Ocean no enemy plane operated. But because of planes with even longer ranges, escort carrier and more and more escorts the gap wasn't totally save any more. And all of the mentioned Uboats were belonging to the Type VII C, the working horse of the Uboat arm. And that was the true problem. From the very beginning to now Uboats and all submarines were indeed diving torpedoboats, which had to come back to surface after some hours. The invention of the snorkel reduced this dramatically, however, still the boats were more and more outdated. That's why an air independent prospulsion system was developed, with fantacstic new speeds of 26 kn and more under water. However, the problem was, it was a completely new technology and it was not clear if the H²O² needed for this system could be produced in the quantity needed. In April 1943 Marinebaudirektor Oelfken and the constructors Schürer and Bröking went to Admiral Kleikamp (K-Amt, Naval Construction Authority) and proposed a conventional boat in the dimensions of the Walter boat, Type XVIII. The Type XXI. It was revolutionary nevertheless. With better accumalators the snorkel driving period was reduced to only a few hours every 2-3 days, if not running on high speed all the time. And with 17 kn submerged it was still much faster. This type was finally accepted. The plannings were closed in the end of 1943.

Berlin, April 26th, 1943

In the Abwehr HQ Major Koch had his second day of duty. After being in the staff of Rommel, he was ordered to this new post in the Abwehr, especially as he was a veteran of Africa and knew the situation there. When Rommel and he with some others arrived in Germany, the retreat there was still going on until to this moment and later. In the HQ he had the task to analyse the situation in the Med. As such he had a box with documents captured in Africa before. Among them there were also the documents of US general Harmon. It was just 9 AM and he sat there and just made himself a cup of coffee. Brazilian coffee he had bought in Africa from a Feldwebel at the front. It was very good coffee. Suddenly he choked. He ran out of his room towards his superior. But he wasn't there. So he went straight ahead to Admiral Canaris room. He told his aide he needed to talk to him. The aide wanted to give him a date, but coincedentally Canaris appeared. Koch showed him the paper?

Canaris: Yes, major, and?

Koch: Herr Admiral, look at the date. This paper was captured with general Harmon.

Canaris: It is the...

Koch: Please look also at this paper!

He gave Canaris another paper he just had got from the archive.

Koch: I can remember to see this order. Exactly this order, as the original was nearly blown with the wind and Feldmarschall Rommel was not very amused about that. Look at the dates. The very same dates!

Canaris was shocked. He said: Then it can't be given to him by...

Koch: No. And look there this sentence.

Canaris: That would mean...

Koch: Yes.

Canaris: Before I can do anything I need some more proves. At first I will give a notice not to send the most sensitive data this way. Does your superior know about that?

Koch: No, he was...

Canaris: Good. I will send you some people. You are now under my personal order. You can take some trustworthy people and then you need to make some researches. This order here gives you a free hand. You can have everyone for the next three days. Actions, which are suspicious. Army, navy, air force and so on. I need a report in three days. Then I have to talk to several people. How could that happen? You can go. Major...?

Koch: Koch, Herr Admiral.

Canaris: Good. You're dismissed. Go on your work! It must be hard facts, but even hints might be decisive.

Koch: Jawoll!

He saluted and went back to his office. There he called some friends. Some of them came back from the front with a plane. And all of them were very interested what was going on.

Reichskanzlei, April 30th, 1943

Goerdeler met again Admiral Canaris, a young major, Feldmarschall v. Witzleben and Großadmiral Dönitz in his office. For him it seemed they could start soon to use this as an appartment for them all as he saw them very often. After the first greetings Admiral Canaris went in medias res at once:

Canaris: Meine Herren, Enigma is no longer safe! It was hacked.

Witzleben sighed. Dönitz was sceptical.

Dönitz: Is this sure? Might it be a disinformation? I can hardly believe it. And how?

Canaris: Unfortunately yes. Major Koch here has made a first study. Major?

Koch: I heard about some suspicions in as sometimes the British exactly knew where they could hit us. Nevertheless I would not be here, if not this paper was found in the bag of general Harmon, who was caught in the battle of Kesserine pass. Here is the paper. And here is the original order. As you can see both have the same date. And the US paper is a correct translation of the original order. There are some further informations about the plan, but in the core it is the same order. Because of that I was ordered to look into the files. I concentrated on the Africa campaign and the Uboat war. We found several attacks on our supply convoys, Uboats, offensives and so on. The propability that this only coincedentally is less than 1:1.000.000. How they got behind I don't know. Perhaps a Uboat was captured and they got it from that boat.

He gave the other men copies of the report.

Koch: We need to go on, as we clearly need more informations. But it seems at least since two years ago the code was broken. We have, however, the code name of the program: ULTRA. It is written here.

He showed on the place on the paper.

Canaris: We need to make further researches, but it strongly seems ENIGMA isn't save any longer.

Dönitz: That's a catastrophe!

Goerdeler: Yes- and no. We got behind this secret. Now we can use it against them. The question is, how?

Some minutes silence.

Goerdeler: At first we need to continue as nothing happened. We need not to send the most secret stuff though.

Canaris: ENIGMA uses several waltz to en- and decrypt. That means if we add a waltz it will last some time until the new code is broken. As we have just a change in the government such a measure would not be suspicious. There are also several codes. I guess codes seldomly used are harder to crack.

Goerdeler: You guess?

Canaris: Yes, I don't know it honestly. If we knew how they cracked it, we could do more.

Dönitz: Sooner or later this will be cracked, too.

Canaris: Yes. And unfortunately it is to assume it will be sooner than later.

Witzleben: Then we should do three things. At first we should not send the messages which are really hurting. Then we should try to introduce a new waltz. How long will it last until it will be cracked?

Koch: A few weeks. I would guess a month. And it will last some time to develope a new update.

Goerdeler: It must be kept secret that we got behind ULTRA.

Witzleben: Yes.

Dönitz: We should perhaps do nothing, except sending no very sensitive things. The Allies can only react. We can act. That means if we do nothing only these news are really hurting: 1. Offensive plans in the future and else sensitive material. And 2. Tactical informations, where convoys are or where Uboats will be to attack a convoy and so on. What won't hurt, at least not so much, are tactical informations about things just happening. Before they can act it is too late. Nevertheless they could see a kind of working.

Witzleben: In any case we can send now what we want to let see him. Will the Soviets see that, too?

Canaris: I don't think so. They are no good buddies, Stalin and the west, but temporal Allies. That means Stalin won't get everything. However, on some way, and I don't think they would have told him about ULTRA, he will get news about that.

Witzleben: Then we can use it to give them worng informations about the situation in the east.

Canaris: Exactly.

Goerdeler: And where does it hurt us now most?

Dönitz: In the west. Troop positions, Uboat attacks and so on.

Goerdeler: What would be the price if we do not change the code, at least now?

Witzleben: We should lose Uboats and planes. And must be aware of offensive actions.

Dönitz: We should go on as we do now. With some exceptions: The plans in the east are to be used desinformations. In the west we carry on, at least to a certain degree. The losses must be sacrificed to hide this secret. However, we should try to make them believe we don't have got their secret.

Witzleben: Yes. But there should be a point, in which we have to act against it.

Goerdeler: In the west no offensives are planned and the defense positions they should know. However, they want to fool us about the invasion. Time and location.

Canaris: Time should not be the problem. We can guess that from the weather and from the informants in the Résistance. But where? That's another question.

Witzleben: We would have to think like the Allies think. We are now doing the same like them. And then we should know where they don't attack.

Goerdeler: May be. We'll see.

Dönitz: In any case we might need to use it a first time before. We need to deny them the route to Murmansk. If we can do that with a trap, we should do so.

Goerdeler: You have a plan?

Dönitz: Yes. But we need to see, how worth it is when they resume the convoys in October. And until then I will need nearly the whole fleet. Intact.

Goerdeler: Then you should order to get the ships secured until then.

Dönitz: Also: The Uboat war is not winnable now, our boats are obsolete. We need to build new boats. And if we do so with the new Type XXI we should then restart the war. I will send out only half of the boats. We should make it so we are starting to have too many losses. We can't give up the whole warfare as then the supplies come without stop and they would not use so many resources in escorting the convoys.

Goerdeler: But when the invasion comes, you want to continue the Uboat war?

Dönitz: We should then have the new boats in service, but not too many ready. It might last another half a year. But then we can expect 33 to 38 boats built a month. If we don't build any further capital ships until then. But that means, too, we have to skip the construction of all ships bigger than a destroyer.

Goerdeler: If that's needed, I agree. We don't have too many currently on the slips either.

Dönitz: The problem is, that this new type is a complete new one and not tested. It might last until 1945 until they are ready.

Goerdeler: Understood. Then it is clear: The invasion will be the point at which we have to use another system than ENIGMA or made it impossible to crack.

After some last discussion points the group left the room.

Goerdeler thought: I hope the losses we do now sacrifice are not in vain. God, let us end this damn war. Let them agree to negotiations.

Berlin, May 2nd, 1943

Reichskanzler Goerdeler makes a radio speech to the German people:

Meine Landsleute, we are caught now in a struggle for surviving. The Nazis started a war, in which tremendous crimes were made. So horrible, worse than the 30 years war. We will do everything again that nothing like this happens again. And we will support the victims and we will give them justice. The Nazi party is from now on officially banned. The party was already dissolved. From now it is a crime to be member of the party. The money is confiscated. It is forbidden to use the Swastika and other nazi emblems. Furthermore other Nazi decorations like the doubled sig rune or the Horst-Wessel-Song are forbidden as well. The SS, already under the control of the Wehrmacht, is dissolved and formed to regular army units. All officers and men will have to conduct a new oath on Germany and the constitution of Weimar, as long as no new constitution is in force. The people responsible for the crimes are held in custody and will be tried. Since two months persecution officials work in these cases and others. However, due to the sheer amount of files and the new level of criminal actions it will still last a while. I can only ask for pardon for these crimes conducted in the name of Germany. We will soon meet with representives from the persecuted groups and talk to see what they need at the first moment. More we can't do now as war is unfortunately still going on. We are still trying to make peace. But although we still want peace, we have no positive reaction. Indeed the Allies are unwilling even to negotiate. Yesterday, Mr. Morgenthau has revealed the official plan of the US government on Germany after the war. We shall lose the lands west of the Rhine and upper Silesia and East Prussia. Large parts of West Germany shall be an international zone. Furthermore we shall no longer have any armed forces to defend. And no industry. When Mr. Morgenthau was again asked, how the Germans shall feed 70 million people, he replied, that was not his problem and there were too many Germans. Ladies and Gentlemen, such a plan is in no way accpetable and would be a murder of about 30-40 million people. Such a crime would be greater than the crimes conducted by the Nazis. Such a crime would be a genocide not known before. A barbary no civilized nation can accept. Ladies and gentlemen. We want peace, but no anhiliation. We can't surrender. We are forced to fight a war started by barbars. But now we're fighting against barbars as well! We will not obey to such a genocide! We will fight and we will win! We must win, or our whole people is in severe danger. In this moment the war is justified.

Ladies and gentlemen, please pray with me. God, if you hear me now talking. Be with us! We are sinners and in our name crimes were conducted. We can only now appologize. But what shall happen with us, with the innocent of us as well, is another crime. Stop this madness. We don't want fight. But help us to win, if we need to fight.

Amen.

Moscow, Kremlin, May 3rd, 1943

Stalin was in his office, when Berija and Molotow entered the room. Stalin at once looked at him angrily.

Stalin: I just got news about the attack on the dams last night. Eight turbines were hit. Of twelve. Two might be repairable though. And now I got the information, the others can't be repaired. They were built in Germany by AEG or how this capitalistic firm is named! This means we have 75% less power for the factories! It may last two years for us to rebuild the turbines on our own, but therefore we need another turbine closed. So we need more power plants. More coal plants. Tankograd is still out of order and if I would demand a new Tankograd at Omsk it would last another half a year. At this moment we might not be here any longer.

Molotow: But Lend Lease and other help...

Stalin: Help? That are outdated tanks. We can only need their trucks and so on. But the rest? Not much is really worth to be bought. However, better than nothing. The railroads are also attacked. And we still have problems in this sector.

Molotow: Woschd, what shall we do?

Stalin: Crushing the Germans. They are now way too far in Russia and will soon be exhausted, before we will be. A last attack, and we will win.

Molotow: What about the Red Air Force? Do we have enough planes to defend the hinterland and to attack?

Stalin: It is enough. I will order to prepare an offensive at three points. At first here at the Black Sea coast. There we will make a phoney attack. We are trying to bind the forces there. The first main attack will however be at Kharkow. We need to get the Ukraine back. Here I will use our last T 34 and KS tanks. The Army Group South has its panzers bound in the south and not there. The other main attack will be at the centre, here at Smolensk. It will be enough to bind there many German forces. The use of the Lend Lease equipment will be sufficient.

Berija: Werther* came to us again. It seems he is active again. He tells us, the Germans are preparing for an offensive at Kursk.

Stalin: Fine. We will crush them there first. I will send in most forces to this area to fight the enemy there.

Molotow: It seems the Germans are now trying to establish governments in the occupied nations. And it seems they get support. In Latvia Adolfs Blodnieks, in Lithunia Vladas Mionas and in Estonia Juri Uluots are used to build up a new government. Also in the Ukraine there are attempts to do so. Stepan Bandera is asked for doing so.

Stalin: Are there any politicians in our from these nations?

Berija: Yes.

Stalin: Kill them all. The others will get what they deserve later.

Berija: General Vlasov is forming a so called free Russian army. It is to be used against us in the area of Smolensk.

Stalin: Nice! There we can crush these traitors. All of them has to be shot! Who told you the operation are btw.?

Berija: Werther.

Stalin: Nice. Really nice. They are no danger for us.

Molotow: It seems the Germans are also trying to make seperate peaces with the smaller Allies. Until now to no avail. Only France seems to agree to negotiate.

Stalin: De Gaulle wants to negotiate?

Molotow: No. Pétain.

Stalin: Pah. He is a puppet. And the French have no fighting power. They are broken.

Molotow: It seems the other minor Axis members are siding still with Germany. When we win, they will fall, soon.

Stalin: Excellent! Good news. Finally.

* Werther is the name of a not existing spy. Indeed ULTRA is behind him.

The Calm before the Storm, May-June 1943

Attu island, May 12th, 1943

The US forces were trying to retake the island. They would be successful as there were few Japanese forces. Except for some submarines.

I-31, Kaigun-Shosa Inoue, looked through his periscope. He saw the US fleet bombarding Attu. And they were in range. He could not do much more and try to sink one of these battleships. After giving the data needed, four type 92 torpedoes were launched. He had aimed well. Four detonations he heard. When he looked through his periscope again, USS Pennsylvania had capsized and was sinking. The counter attack he avoided by diving under the sinking .

He though: Tomorrow is another day for fighting. Now we have hit the Yanks. That is enough, at least for today, as I hardly can get in attack position again. ______

Reichskanzlei, Berlin, June 1st:

The Cabinet is meeting again. This time also Feldmarschall v. Witzleben and Admiral Canaris are with them, too.

Goerdeler: Julius, can you tell us about the domestic situation?

Leber: The Nazi party is banned. However, most of the officials were kept. Without them we would have many more problems. However, there were few real Nazis, most were only in the party because of the career. The population is calm. They are horrified by the crimes. They want peace, but they see the need to fight for survival. The democratic parties are forming. I think we can hold elections in middle September. However, as we are still in war, I would propose all parties shall make lists of their candidates for the whole Reich. Later the election laws might be needed to be altered.

Bolz, minister of justice: I agree.

Goerdeler: Eugen, how is the situation with the trials against the Nazi leadership?

Bolz: They are still sighting the files. It may still last for a while. Shall we think about an international court?

Goerdeler: May be. But we need to have the guarantee it is a fair one.

Bolz: The Soviets have no state of law and the US interpretation is partly problematic, partly very liberal.

Goerdeler: We'll see. However, we need to have trials, in which all crimes are dealt with.

Bolz: There are also some voices in the US to do so. But they want mainly accuse the crimes against the peace, meaning starting a war.

Leber: But that's no crime, nowhere to my knowledge.

Bolz: Indeed.

Goerdeler: We need to cope with this problem when it comes. How about the first works on the constitution?

Bolz: The work has started at Herrenchiemsee. The catalogue of the civil rights is nearly ready and can be published within a month.

Goerdeler: Excellent. But now the situation with the Nazis. Admiral, can you tell us, how the situation is concerning the danger of a coup?

Canaris: It can't be excluded to 100%, but the danger is very low. There is no leader free, who could fill the role and the prisoners are to be shot in case of such an attempt. We simply have decaptivated the Nazi party. Also in the new sections of the Abwehr we have not many die hard Nazis, who would try to do it. Most of the Nazis left want to continue the career. Nevertheless there are some people on the right calling this government february criminals and slaves of the Jews. We have some groups infiltrated, and most are not harming. Some of them might become a danger.

Goerdeler: So you was successful in reforming the secret services?

Canaris: Yes. Now we have one secret service and have included several groups, who did the same task. We are now much more efficient. Escpecially the xB-Dienst is working much better now. They told us, there was a big trouble between Churchill and Roosevelt on their telephone call last week. Churchill is for peace, but Roosevelt is strongly against.

Goerdeler: Does it mean the British are willing to make a seperate peace? v.d. Schulenburg, foreign minister: No. The British need the US way too much as they would betray their Ally. That won't happen until there is a too great danger. It would be the ultima ratio.

Goerdeler: So we need to fight them.

v. Witzleben: The military situation is this: We await the Allies landing in Europe. The question is only, where. The Spanish fished a man out of the Atlantic, who seemed to be a Royal Marine Major. He has papers with him hinting on an invasion in Sardinia and .

Goerdeler: So they want to land there?

v. Witzleben: I am not sure. I think it is a trap. If I was them I would have acted in this very way. But it it much more logical to invade Italy as they could this way K.O. an enemy. Sardinia might be a good base for invading Southern France, but that is a danger if the flank is not secured. And Greece? What the hell shall they do there? They don't have so many troops to fall us into the flank. And the Turks are very unwilling to join. No, I think it will be Italy.

Canaris: I concur. I think it is a trap. I would do the same.

v. Witzleben: Nevertheless we need to prepare for every case. Luckily the greatest chunk of the Afrikacorps was rescued. Mostly only Italians were captured. We should have enough forces there to defend southern Italy. If the Italians will however switch the sides, we will likely lose southern Italy. But we can stop them in the mountains north of . For the defense of Greece I had send our only destroyer in the Med, ZG3 Hermes, to Greece, on April 2nd. She has some torpedo boats and some other smaller vessels as assisting units. The air war is very calm. I think they will come. Galland however, will his 1.000 fighters have ready in October or November. The Me 262 jet fighter could be produced, but there are difficulties with the engines. The Jumo 004 motors make problems.

Speer: True. We lack the materials and need to cope with this lack. v. Witzleben: In the East Stalin prepares for three offensives. We are preparing the defense. It will be a surprise for him.

Goerdeler: How bad was his industry hit?

Canaris: What we could get to know the attacks on Tankograd and the other factories were successful to about 75% in total. Only Omsk is producing T-34 tanks without interferation. However, the total production is lowered down to 20% of the level before. The attacks on the dams were critically destroying their power supply. Only 25% remain active. Many factories, which are not hit yet, work with less capacities. Also our attacks on the railway stations are successful, as it seems the Soviet transport system is critically working. It might collapse soon after an offensive starts. And we are continuing the attacks. As Baku was hit, oil became few for the Soviets.

Goerdeler: How about our industry?

Speer: The British could have brought us a severe blow if they had continued the attacks on the steel mills. But so I am optimistic to have much better weapon outputs for every branch. The new Sturmgewehr 43 is now under production and will be soon introduced in a largs scale. The first units on the Eastern Front got the new rifle already.

Goerdeler: How will be the strength of the Soviets?

v. Witzleben: After the destruction of the Guard in Charkow most soldiers will be green. And he needs many workers to redo the damages we inflicted. And the Red Air Force lacks in fighters as most are now defending the hinterland. We are conducting some daylight attack in areas where they aren't. It seems this kind of "air force in being" works very well. They will have fewer men and fewer fighters for their offensive actions.

Goerdeler: And the navy?

v. Witzleben: In Norway we have the battleships Scharnhorst, Tirpitz, the Prinz Eugen, the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer and the Nürnberg. Additionally some destroyer are there. In France we have some destroyers and torpedo boats. In Germany the Gneisenau is under repair but won't be ready again until mid 1944. The cruiser Admiral Hipper, Köln and Lützow are under repair as well. They will join the navy again in early 1944. Then also Graf Zeppelin should be ready. Weser should be ready in mid 1944. From then on no other work on capital ships can be made as every resource will go to the Uboats. Destroyers and torpedo boats excluded. The light cruiser Emden and Leipzig are only worth to be training ships. Großadmiral Dönitz has called off the convoy battles and is preparing his forces for the new boats and the operations against the Arctic convoys. Furthermore the defense of the Norwegian harbours was enhenced. Also some wings of the Luftwaffe were transferred to the navy. Focke Wulf is currently making a new carrier plane. It will be bomber, fighter and . It will be a special version of the FW 190 and be ready for training in a few weeks. Furthermore I will send some of the naval wings to Italy, as I assume the Allies will land there.

Canaris: The xB-Dienst has also some hints the Allies will land in Sicilly.

Goerdeler: Then we should make them a warm welcome. How about our Allies? v.d. Schulenburg: The Hungarians and Rumanians are making reforms. So do the Croatians. The Slovaks are a bit reluctant though. Here I see no problems. The Japanese are very frightened we could make peace, but the reactions from the Allies made them more calm. The Italians are on the verge of a kind of revolution and will make a seperate peace.

Canaris: We are sure we can react in time in this case. v. Witzleben: Yes. We are prepared.

Goerdeler: I think then we're through.

After the people went, Admiral Canaris stayed to talk to Chancellor Goerdeler alone.

Canaris: If the Allies broke our code, it is very easy to assume they also cracked the Japanese code. We should give them a hint.

Goerdeler: They are our Allies, but we need to keep the infos strictly secret. However, we should show them we're fighting further. Nevertheless I don't want to strengenth their war party.

Canaris: Yamamoto was ever a man of peace. We should contact him.

Goerdeler: Good idea. He already deserved the Knights Cross. There we might be able to contact him.

Berlin, June 9th 1943

In these days Switzerland was still neutral. And because of this a good base for making talks between the belligerent parties. Adam von Trott zu Stolz was the State's Secretary of minister von der Schulenburg. He went to Switzerland to look for a seperate peace with the smaller Allied nations. When he returned to Berlin, he went straight ahead to Schulenburg to report him. v. Trott zu Stolz: I spoke with representatives of several nations. Right away all refused to make peace. The Pole said, he would never accept a seperate peace. And this man Benes send demanded the retreat of all Germans. Also the Sudeten- and Karpato- Germans.

Schulenburg: He wants to displace them? v. Trott zu Stolz: Yes

Schulenburg: While I had thought about giving the Sudeten back,... No, this is not possible. At least not now. We are still in their damn country! And the Germans lived there since a thousand years! v. Trott zu Stolz: I think that's why they said that. They don't want really peace.

Schulenburg: And the others? v. Trott zu Stolz: The Dutch were more open. But they demanded a complete retreat. The Brazilians said sorry, but they would need the Yanks and Tommies too much as they could go out. The Greek and Norwegians also demanded the retreat at once before starting to talk.

Schulenburg: Impossible! We can't do so as long as war continues. And who says the Allies are recognizing these decisions? v. Trott zu Stolz: No one. It is more likely they violate the new neutral states.

Schulenburg: Exactly. And what about Tito's ambassador? v. Trott zu Stolz: I fear, Tito is like Stalin. A dangerous dog. This guy also demanded the retreat, but gave the guarantee he would not let Allied forces enter Yougoslavia. But one day I fear he will grab what he can.

Schulenburg: That mean plan B: We need to talk to the populations straight away. We can make peace with them and forcing the exile governments to accept that. v. Trott zu Stolz: How do we do so?

Schulenburg: It depends on the countries. If we make mild peaces the populations will accept. On these ways I can think to force some of the nations accepting these treaties and force their governments in exile to do so, too. v. Trott zu Stolz: With whom might it work?

Schulenburg: The Belgish and Danish governments are in our hands. We can make peace with them relative easy. v. Trott zu Stolz: What about Eupen, Malmedy and North Schleswig?

Schulenburg: We don't give them up, but we demand a plebiscite. In case of Belgium we should make some small preparations. They cheated and forced it last time for themselves. And this time, well, we will make it a fair election. But only, if we don't win. In North Schleswig we will demand certain changes in the election circles. On this way we might get Tondern and Appenrade back. The rest is more problematical. I think on this way we can get some land back an no one can blame us. The Dutch will likely accept a white peace. And Luxemburg, too. We can go out of that small state at once to show we do what we mean. The Norwegians are also having troubles with the Soviets. There it might be possible. Although they are not very friendly towards us. v. Trott zu Stolz: Only few are.

Schulenburg: Unfortunately. Anyway, the Poles and Czechs won't accept. They will wait until the very end. And might get under the bus. v. Trott zu Stolz: What do we do now?

Schulenburg: Allowing the formation of parties in the occupied territories. As long as they don't demand the immediate retreat or fight us openly, we can have a base to argue. v. Trott zu Stolz: And France?

Schulenburg: France also has to build up parties. And then decide if they want to stay occupied or if they want liberty. v. Trott zu Stolz: And if the Allies does not accept these treaties?

Schulenburg: Oh, they won't. But then they are the bad guys who doesn't accept the neutrality of a country. We will retreat at once if they accept the neutrality. That will be one condition in the treaties with these nations. Because of national security we can't act else. v. Trott zu Stolz: And then?

Schulenburg: Then it will become interesting.

______

On June 11th - 14th the Allies land on , , Lampione and Linosa. The first steps towards Operation Husky.

Operation Husky, July 10th- August 17th 1943

Operation Husky started for the Allies with a setback. Not only there were several hundred thousands defenders, but now the god of the weather was not keen to them. Due to heavy winds the parachuting troops over were blown with the wind. Several also landed in the Med. However, they could do some annoyance to the German and Italian defenders, but they were soon caught or killed, before any other unit could help them. Rommel had anticipated the invasion. And as they came, the last doubts about the real invasion point were blown away.

Rommel had his DAK, now Heeresgruppe Italien, with about 100.000 men, 250 tanks and 600 guns, additionally about 2.000 planes. The Italians had about 500.000 men, 400 tanks, nearly 1.000 guns and 900 planes ready. The Allies were attacking with 181.000 men, 600 tanks and about 1.800 guns. They could also field nearly 4.000 planes.

The Allied navy was way too strong for the Italian Navy. The Supporting group consisted of 3 CL, 3 CLAA, 2 Monitors, 58 DD or DE, 15 Sloops or , 18 and 8 corvettes together with some smaller units. They were supported by a group of two carriers, HMS Indomitable und HMS Fromidable, as well as the BBs, HMS Warspite, HMS Valiant, HMS Rodney, HMS Nelson, 4 CL and 18 DD. If that wasn't sufficient, HMS King George V, 4 CL and 6 DD were cruising near Sardinia.

The Germans had only tow Uboats there, U-431 and U-617. The other Uboats were patrolling on the western and eastern (here only U-81) Med to attack the supply convoys, where they sank 8 transports, 3 tankers and 2 LSTs of about 70.000 grt. So only two Uboats attack the invasion fleet. Although in the very minority U-431 can launch her eels on HMS Indomitable just at the very beginning of the operation. HMS Formidable was hit by Italian torpedo bombers and had to retreat. However, she was again sighted and then again torpedoed, this time by the German KG 26 (which will soon renamed MKG 1). It is nevertheless possible to bring her to , but there she was not worth to be repaired as her back was broken. Indeed on the way back to Britain she foundered and sank. DD USS Maddox was also sunk by a lone Ju-88 bomber with 2 250 kg bombs. The Luftwaffe also sank MS USS Sentinel. Axis bombers also sank two LSTs and 8 transports with over 54.000 grt. Therefore 7 Italian and three German submarines were sunk. The Italians sink therefore CL HMS Cleopatra and the Uboats CL HMS Newfoundland. CL USS Brookly is damaged heavily by mines, DDs HMS Roe and HMS Swanson as well as 2 LST and two subchaser were damaged by collisions. The only success of an Axis surface vessel is the sinking of two British MTB by the CL Scipio Africano. Furthermore off Oporto two British troop ships, (16.792 grt) and Duchess of York (20.021 grt) were sunk by Fw 200 bombers. Only 57 soldiers were lost though.

The war on land is at first a kind of stalemate. After capturing some stripes of land the Allies are pinned down, where naval gunfire support is not existing. Shortly after an Axis air strike 144 US planes were ordered for close air support. However, mistakenly for a new air strike, 37 of them are shot down by own flak. In the next days the Allies could win some more space, but had to pay for it. Patton then saw suddenly a gap between the German and Italian units. He thought he could use it to try to take . So, against the orders, he ordered and attack. After penetrating the lines however, he saw, that this is a trap and retreated. Although he could save his units they had suffered many men dead or captured. Of them three Italians, members of the Mafia, who was nearly eradicated in Italy due to Mussolini, but now coming back. For some weeks the German propaganda used that fact, but it was mainly forgotten after that. Although the lines could be kept, the Italian resistance became less and less. Even some skirmishes between both Axis nations occured, when finally Rommel took over the control of all Axis forces. On this day, July 31st, Patton finally conquered Palermo as he was, again against the orders, attacking the Italians. That had massive consequences.

On that date the Fascist party made a coup and replaced Mussolini as Duce. Marshal Badaglio took over the command.

On Sicily the Italian morale was broken. Rommel saw no other choice than to retreat his forces. As Messina was guarded by heavy flak units the Axis forces could retreat in good order. Nearly all Germans and all equipment was saved. Although the fightings and the retreat lasted nearly two weeks, Rommel was once again successful to avoid capture. He ever said he could have held the island, if the Italians remained in the Axis alliance.

But Sicily was taken and 120.000 Italians and 2.551 Germans POW. Of them 74 Italians and two German POW were massacred in Biscari. All in all the Germans lose 10.051 killed and 18.259 wounded, the Italians 20.582 killed and 40.025 wounded. The US lost 16.058 killed, 20.974 wounded and 4.261 POW, the British and Canadians 17.844 killed, 20.199 wounded and 501 POW.

However, Marshall Badoglio asked for a truce and therefore changed the sides. Canaris had just in time built up an information web to get to know about this. The truce was signed on September 3rd, but not published. However, on September 5th the Fall Achse started.

Operation Rumjanzew, 04.07.-23.08.1943

From Janusz Piekalkiewicz, Der Zweite Weltkrieg, Komet Verlag, Vol. 2008:

Shortly before Operation Husky started, the Soviets started with their assault. Originally it was planned to make three strikes, one in the North at Smolensk, the other at Charkow and the third, feint, attack at Rostow. Indeed it was at Charkow planned to start before the anticipated German offensive. But after hearing the offensive was abandoned because of the lack of tanks, the Soviet offensive plan was changed. For these operations the Soviets used about 2 million soldiers with about 5.000 tanks in the south and 1,3 million soldiers with 1.500 tanks in the north. The Germans had one million man in the north with only 500 tanks and 850.000 men in the south with 2.000 panzer. However, the situation in the air was quiet remarkable. As now many fighters had to defend the factories at home, the Soviets had less fighters. And although they send even less trained pilots to the front, the average training time was now hardly 10 flight hours, they did not cope with the numbers needed in the hinterland, which were hardly effective. And therefore they used even their best pilots. And they did not use them as training units. That came not before spring 1944. So the Germans faced 900 planes in the north with 700 own and 2.500 in the south with 1.400 own. In the air the most intense war took place and many pilots were shot down on both sides. However, as many historians say, this was not the only cause of the Soviet catastrophe following the offensive. The Soviets had to deal with two other problems. Shortage on fuel and other supplies as well as insufficient tanks. Thanks to Lend Lease the Soviets were able to fill the gap in the production lines. However, of the 6.500 tanks hardly 2.500 were Soviet produced. And of them only half of them were T- 34 tanks. Most other tanks were even or worse than the leased M-3 and M-4 tanks. The German command used mostly Panzer III and IV tanks. The Panther and the Tiger tanks were in reserve but not used. They were too unreliable yet and the command was sure to have them as surprise for the next Soviet offensive.

The first attacks happened at Smolensk and at the Mius to detract the Germans from the real attack point. Well, to say this about the attack of Smolensk is not that true, as the Soviet command was sure to be victorious there. As the main opponent they faced the newly formed Russkaya Osvoboditel'naya Armiya (ROA) of General Vlasow. The Germans had contacted him in spring and built up this army. It should be used at Smolensk. The Soviets didn't recognize this force as such and thought the "traitors" would be easily brought down and the army would vanish like the other German Allies. The attack in the south were planned on informations by Werther, the Soviet top spy in Berlin, which was indeed Betchley Park. And Werther was right. Ever. This time however, the informations ULTRA received were desinformations by the Germans. The Germans put Stalin a trap and he was caught. However, nearly everything went well at the very beginning. The ROA was retreating, if not in wild flight and the fronts of Yemerenko and Sekolowski advancing. In the south at the Mius some divisions were sacrified to attack the Germans from Kursk. The Soviets soon rolled over the streets of Charkow and Belgorod. But despite these successed the resistance of the Germans was quiet low. Until now. The fights in the air were hard from the very beginning. But despite the numerical superiority the Soviets lost much more aircraft than the Germans. Was it about 4:1 for the Germans before the offensive, it was now about 8:1. Stalin nevertheless ordered the units to attack. But like Charkow before, the Germans made a counter offensive. In the south the forces for this operation attacked from the south and North west. The penetrated the defense lines and struck deep into the just lost territory. The Soviet forces were now ordered to cope with this attack now, but they were already on on supplies, thanks to the lack of trains and trucks. Many stations were bombed by the Luftwaffe before so that it didn't help with the supply situation. That now tanks were ordered in the US and less trucks did not make the situation better. That lack of supply and relentless air strikes by the Luftwaffe, which was now controlling the skies, made the operation to another fiasko. The tanks were the main target of the new Ju 87 G Panzerknacker and Hs 129 close air support planes, who now could be used in relative safetyness due to the lack of fighters. Indeed the Il 2 Sturmovik was used as fighter and not as bomber. If they met bomber alone, these planes had good chances. If they met fighters, they had more problems. Although it worked somehow, the losses were too great to continue. The T-34 was on the ground still a killer but there were way too few. And the M-3 and M- 4 were not that a problem for the German tanks. Not to speak about the tank killer and PaK. In the end it was nearly a wonder that the Russians lost "only" 300.000 men and nearly 3.000 tanks. Another 500 tanks and 50.000 men were lost, when the Germans were even able to take Kursk, as the defensive lines built to expect such an offensive were now not or hardly manned. The Germans lost 60.000 men and 259 tanks (indeed more tanks were hit, but most of them were repaired). However, they could also capture 186 M-3, 144 M-4 and 287 T-34 tanks. In the North the situation was similar. Here the Russians also lost Smolensk again. After they chased the ROK, they advanced way too far. And the ROK finally stopped and fought. And surpridingly they fought not that bad. Enough to stop the Red Army. Now the Soviets were attacked from the flanks and into the rear. Like in the south the "Schlagen aus der Nachhand" (beating from the backhand) worked. Manstein's plan succeeded. 150.000 men and 900 tanks were lost here. The German losses were 35.000 men and 150 tanks. The losses in the air were also heavy of the total forces of 2.100 Luftwaffe planes and 3.400 Soviet planes, the Germans lost nearly 300, but the Russians 2.200. On 24.08.1943 the German counter offensive was called off. The situation like before was reached, except Kursk was captured and a strife of 30 km at Smolensk was also taken more. The Soviets had lost another half a million man. Furthermore valueable tanks and planes were lost.

On 25.08.1943 the Germans renewed their peace proposal. Stalin refused again at once. On 26.08.1943 the states of Lithunia, Latvia and Estonia got their independence back. On the very same day the governments of Germany, Finland, Rumania, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Lithunia, Latvia and Estonia signed a new treaty. Japan was invited, too, but as it was way too liberal and too European focuses they refused, especially as the German government reassured the old treaties were not violated. Two days later the new government of the Ukraine joined the new alliance, followed by the government in Exile of the Free Russians a day later. This Pact of Steal (Stahlpakt)* was at first a military alliance against the Soviets. But it would evolve later.

*Indeed it was initially a pact between Germany, Italy and Rumania. It was now used as base in the struggle against the Soviets, but the content was changed to a more defensive approach.

______

Moscow, Kremlin, 30.08.1943

Stalin was again furious. How could this catastrophe happen? Both operations failed! And now he had even to deal with a counter government. Head of state was Grand Duke Wladimir Kyrillowitsch Romanow. He did not take the title as Czar but as Grand Duke to show he has claimed the title, but is not able to be Czar of all Russians. Indeed Victor Baidalakow was Prime Minister and responsible for the politics. General Vlasow was commander of the army (an air force was planned but except a Group of fighters and a squadron captured Il-2 nothing happened in this regards until the end of the war). Molotow and Berija entered his room.

Stalin: Berija, kill all officers with the rank of a general. We need new officers! They are incompetent.

Berija: Woschd, this is no good idea. We are in a fight for survival. The whole system and the revolution would collapse if we do so.

Molotow: Indeed. It is also not the guilt of the soldiers. Indeed it was the situation...

Stalin: Situation! Situation? Situation! They had to see this situation! They had to act according to their orders!

Berija: But they did so. This time Werther failed. For the first time our top spy failed. We were not thinking about these reserve forces.

Stalin: Why we have then contact to him? He is as bad as the other German spies! (Indeed Stalin never trusted the German spies, although they gave him valuable informations. Werther was the only exception.)

Berija: But you ever trusted him. And he is also not infallible. It was his first mistake.

Stalin: True.

Berija: He needs a second chance. And also: We need him, now more than before. We need to get informations.

Stalin: True. And we need better preparation. These US tanks are nothing worth. Delegate these tanks to second line duty.

Molotow: We have not many tanks left. And as I heard our factories are still destroyed or have no power or other problems.

Berija: Indeed. They can't produce so many tanks. We need to replenish our forces. And we need supplies.

Stalin: Yes. That we can buy from the US. Their trucks are good enough. And we need it faster. Can they build better tanks?

Molotow: The US Army is relying completely on the M-4 Sherman tanks.

Stalin: That's rubbish. These fools!

Molotow: Yes. And they will see. But for the other problem of being faster they would need to bring the supply to Murmansk. But in the summer the sun doesn't set very often, so that the Germans can sink the convoys.

Stalin: This is not my problem! We need these supplies! Tell them! I give a damn on their losses! We have the true losses. They should finally recognize it!

Molotow and Berija left soon after the building.

Berija: We need to make him more calm.

Molotow: He is our Woschd! ... But yes. If he loses his nerves it will become problematical.

Berija: Yes.

Molotow: How is the situation really?

Berija: To be honest, not good. The supply system looks bad. Really bad. The trains are beiginning to desintegrade, the railway lines, too, ...

Molotow: German air strikes?

Berija: No, that comes additionally.

Molotow: What's then the reason?

Berija: Limited abilities to repair. We have too many problems. And the factories will hardly achieve 50% of the production capabilities. Even most of them only 33% of the time before Hitler died. I feared such an event.

Molotow: You're very open to me.

Berija: I only talk to a good friend. But I have to tell you something I just heard but nor dared to tell him. The Germans have a new tank.

Molotow: The Tiger?

Berija: No. And that makes me headaches. Tell the US to start bombing Germany again. We need to destroy their factories as well.

Molotow: How long can we deal with such losses?

Berija: We can have one operation, which we can lose. Then it will be very critical as also we are running out of men. If we lose more, we need to catch too many workers and farmers. And without production, we will have lost the war in one year, perhaps two.

Molotow: So bad?

Berija: Yes. The next offensive must succeed. Otherwise we will be in severe troubles. ... Wjatscheslaw?

Molotow: Yes?

Berija: Forget it. It is not the time now. The winter offensive must succeed.

Both men went their own ways thinking their own thoughts.

Operation Gomorrah, July 25th to August 3rd 1943

Berlin, July 18th 1943

Economy minister Lejeune-Jung left his home to meet with Chancellor Goerdeler. He wanted to speak about the new order after the war. Especially the nationalisations were to be talked about. It was already warm, depite it was even before 9 AM. He was on his way to his car. The driver waited for him. After the greetings he wanted to go into the car, when suddenly two motorbikes with two persons each appeared with great speed. They suddenly stopped and the persons behind the drivers lifted were lifting their MPs. Both, the minister and his driver, were killed at once. However, the bodyguard, who was just coming out of the house, he was on the toilet and Lejeune-Jung refused to wait, shot the two shooters with his Walther pistol. He also hit one of the drivers, which lost control over his vehicle and crashed against a wall. Only the fourth escaped. The dead assassins were later identified as members of the former SS. Two of them were already searched as guards of the KZ Auschwitz. A letter was sent to the main newspaper stations shortly after:

Quote:

We, the Bruderschaft des Führers (Brotherhood of the Führer), have killed the first February Criminal, who have taken the power over the murdering of our beloved Führer. We will not rest until this Jewish-Bolshewistical band is dead and the real order is restored!

Sieg Heil! ______

Berlin, 19th July 1943

In his room in the Reichskanzlei Goerdeler met Canaris, v. Tresckow and Leber:

Goerdeler: Do we have this scum?

Canaris: Only partly. This group has some powerful friends, who are supporting them. Indeed it seems the members are all SS members. The ones we have on the list of the most wanted, most criminal and most fanatical Nazis. They are members of the Einsatzgruppen or KZ guards. We could find several of them. But some are still on the run and hiding. Others might not be detected yet. I have sent my best men to investigate. v. Tresckow, CIC of the German police: So did I. Some we will get soon. Very soon.

Leber: That doesn't mean we kill the idea. We need to eliminate them as fast as possible. And the men behind. v. Tresckow: That will be problematic, but we do our very best. However, we need to make new security orders.

Leber: Agreed. How do you get them talking? v. Tresckow: You don't want to know that. It is an ugly time. If we had peace...

Goerdeler: We don't have. We need to survive. I will make a speech to the public soon.

Leber: And who shall be our economy minister?

Goerdeler: I have an idea. I read some letters by a Bavarian Professor, who had send them to me last year. His name is Ludwig Ehrhard. He has some good ideas.

Leber: Really? Let me see the letters, if you allow.

Goerdeler: Of course...

______

Radio transmission by Chancellor Goerdeler:

Quote: My fellow Germans, yesterday the minister of economics and his driver were murdered on a brutal and coward way. We will not tolerate that. We will catch these criminals and we will punish them severely. They are traitors. Hitler has murdered and wanted to murder million civilians. He started a war without reason. He was Germany's doom. And now these people come and want to finish this work. This work will lead to our utter defeat. To our utter destruction. They want a regime of terror and death. To all real Germans: Give us notice, when you have signs. And we will take them in custody. We are bound to a war we want to end. But as long as the enemy is not willing to negotiate at all, we will fight. And we fight not for a race, but for survival. Everyone who is fighting this order, fights against every other German, too. We need to find them. Or the German people is doomed.

I wish you a good night.

---

You heard Reichskanzler Goerdeler... ______

London July 21st, 1943

Chamber of Sir

A high decorated Air Marshal of the RAF entered his room.

Churchill: Harris. I had just a talk to the Soviet Ambassador. Stalin again demands another front in Europe. We will land soon in Italy. But he demands more. We can't land in France right now. We need more preparation. Another year. But you can help us right now.

Harris: I know. I already have a plan. You heard about the murdering of this German minister?

Curchill: Yes.

Harris: The German society is falling apart. And I have a plan to destroy their morale once and forever. They will surrender unconditionally!

Curchill: How do you want to do it?

Harris: I will target the civilian population. Not in single attacks, like now, but in the whole campaign. If we can kill a million or so...

Churchill: We are bound...

Harris: ... to win. And so we will win. It will also be a very humane way as this way many German civilians will be saved.

Churchill: Be saved?

Harris: Yes. They can live after the surrender. With each day more civilians would die.

Churchill: You know the Germans tried this, too.

Harris: Yes. But they had no means to be successful. We have them. And I will show you. I will attack Hamburg for a week.

Churchill: And the tactical targets?

Harris: Are unimportant. So we don't need to destroy the infrastructure. And the Yanks can destroy them at daylight. Give me the order, and the Germans will soon surrender.

Churchill: And if Hamburg is destroyed, but they don't surrender?

Harris: Then I can destroy Berlin. And then they will surrender.

Churchill: I order you to attack.

Harris: Yes, sir.

______

Operation Gomorrah

In the time of July 25th to August 3rd RAF and 8th USAAF attacked Hamburg relentlessly and killed over 31.600 civilians. Especially the third attack was catastrophic with about 30.000 killed civilians. The Allies lost at least 89 bombers. Due to the new Window called chaffs the German RADAR was jammed. It lasted a while until the Germans reacted on this new weapon (a weapon they also had, called Düppel, but not used because of fear, the British would develope it, too). But the morale was not broken. In contrast. Coincedentally the Morgenthau Plan was released. ______

Radio transmission by Chancellor Goerdeler:

Quote:

These terrible attacks deliberately targeted civilians. This is a proof we have to fight for survival. This is the prrof the Allies want to eradicate the German people. Thís is, too, a genocide. Look at the Morgenthau Plan. Now they published it. And they want to make Germany a huge death camp. This is, too, a crime, even worse than that of the Nazis. They both target civilians. They both target innocent. But now they shall see us fighting! We will tell them, how we react. And they will pay for these crimes! The German government confirms the Hague Laws of War. But because of these attacks we will attack and destroy an English town as reprisal. Unless the British stop these attacks and pay reparations for that we will do so. We will revenge our civilians! God will be on our side now. As we from now on fight a justified war!

For God and Fatherland! ______

Due to hints out of the population and the loss of their main supporters, most members of the Bruderschaft des Führers were captured within the next two months. Only few minor incidents are known, in which they had their hands within. The attempt to kill the Chairman of the Jewish Community in Germany, Heinz Galinski, half a year later was the last bing incident. Ironically the core group died in the Hamburg firestorm of July 28th and just cementing the power of the plotters.

First Raid, August 17th 1943

Lt. Wilhelm Kaludrichkeit just started with his FW 190 A-6 from JG 11. This plane was equipped with 2 MG 17 7,92 mm MG on the motor and 4 MG 151/20 20 mm guns in the wings. Furthermore two rockets, Werferegranaten 21, were mounted on at the wings. JG 11 was scrambling now for the second time this day, as there was a first attack on Schweinfurt already. Not the bombers headed for Regensburg with the Bf 109 factory. This double attack should have been a surprise. One group of planes should attack Regensburg and then, when the Germans had no planes in the air, Schweinfurt. Kaludrichkeit had heard that the Regensburg wing was decimated and flew to North Africa. Now the Yanks send in another wave. His question, why they did so, was the weather. The weather had prevented the start of the bombers earlier. But to stop the attack was not ordered and so the planes flew. And the air defence was alarmed. Another problem the US planes had, was the lack of fighters. They could only go to the German border. And guess, who was waiting there.

That also thought Patrick O'Neil, rear gunner of one of the B-17. It was his first mission. He replaced a man, who was shot by a Bf 109 the last time. His comrades told him, he had no real head any more as the 20 mm shell hit the head directly. He was aware that this would be not an easy mission.

While Paddy was in his bombers, Willi was thinking about his girl friend. He met her in Hamburg. And he could convince her to meet him in his holidays in Palmnicken, East Prussia. She wanted just to go back, when he left, when Hamburg burnt. Her mother and father had died. Except her brother, who was serving on a , she had none. Now she stayed with his mother in East Prussia. She was safe there. At least for now. He could hardly immagine what had happened, if... But now Willi had to stop other bombers. And he would do this job right.

Paddy also thought about his family in New York. He was the son of Irish immigrants. And now he served his tour of duty. Hopefully he could come home as a hero. There was this small girl in the house next door... He was soon awaken, when the message came: Bandits, 12 o'clock!

The Germans attacked from the front. So they could hit the enemy planes better and were not in range of the rear gunners too long.

Willi was now nearly in attack position. It was his third sortie. He was the Kaczmarek (wing pilot) of a pilot with 30 kills, Fritz Müller. Willi had no kill yet.

There they were these bombers. His group of fighters attacked one of these boxes with about 20-30 bombers. He aimed into the box. Then the shout came to fire the rockets. The aircraft made a small hop when the rocket were fired. He could see them. Both missed the B-17 he aimed at. But that was not a big problem. One directly hit the other plane behind. It exploded at once. The other exploded and damaged another B-17 just slightly below when the time fuze let the rocket detonate. Both engines on the starboard side were hit and now black smoke appeared. Willi cried Horrido! and thought he had a perfect other target and made his guns clear. He had only a few seconds. That must be enough. And now into the fun!

Paddy saw two rockets passing his plane in a near distance. Boy, that was near, he thought at first, but then he saw the result. "Joan of New Orleans" was hit directly. There was no hope for the crew. It exploded at once. Then he saw the other hit "Yankee Doodle" in the starboard engines. They burnt and appearantly she was loosing fuel. In the next moment he felt his plane was hit. Then several German fighters appeared. Unfortunately he didn't aim well and missed. But the plane he missed attacked the "Yankee". And "Virginia Beauty" behind. At first it seemed the "Yankee" could fly further, when she suddenly climbed and then went down. 1, 2, 3, 4, ... No, only four got out. 6 were dead. The Germans came back and another B-17 got down. He couldn't see, who... His plane was hit again. He saw smoke. But there at least was a target. A FW 190. Yes, got you! But the pilot bailed out. Okay. We'll meet again next time.

Willi attacked. At first he fired on the B-17 he had just missed. Then he fired on the next plane, which was damaged. It remained on the station. And then the third. Damn, he said. Only damaged. "No. You got another. That already damaged bomber goes down. Congrats!" Fritz radioed him. Now they turned. All fired again. And another plane went down. But Fritz was hit. He could eject nevertheless. Fritz was now low on ammo and fuel and so his whole squadron retreated. When they came home, Fritz was just arriving, too. With a Fi 158 from the staff. He was all right and ready for another sortie. But not this day. Later they celebrated their victories. The Luftwaffe had lost only 25 planes.

Paddy was still on his rear seat. He heard that Joe, Joe White, the pilot, was killed by MG fire. And also Bill Smith, the front gunner would not survive the day, although he was still alive. They had bombed Regensburg but all planes in his wing were damaged. His own, too. However, the fighters just arrived. They would soon land. But still more planes were lost. Indeed his own plane made a crash landing. He later counted 101 hits. One engine destoyed, two others damaged. Landing gear damaged, too. He heard 60 B-17s were shot down as well as 3 P-47 and 2 Spitfire. And 95 so badly damaged that they would not fly again. Therefore 228 German fighters were destroyed!

Indeed it were less. Only 25. And the Regensburg factory was soon working again. So were the ball bearing factories of Schweinfurt. No severe losses happened. Save 221 civilians had died.

This attack, the attack on Ploesti a few days ago, where 55 bombers were lost, and 77 on the second raid to Schweinfurt in October, the bombing campaign was stopped for the next months. Very much against the pleasure of Stalin.

Fall Achse, September 5th - November 22nd 1943, Part 1

Quote:

Das Oberkommando der Wehrmacht gibt bekannt:

Tonight, on September 4th to 5th, the German Reich declared war on Italy. The treacherous Italians had signed a cease fire with the Allies. In this it was agreed not only not to fight each other any more but to use Italy as base against Germany and her Allies. Because of this the German government decided to act. Shortly after war was declared, the German armed forces could seize the majority of the armed forces of Italy, including most of the Italian Navy. Over 500.000 Italian soldiers were captured and are now . All of the Italian peninsula is under the control of the Wehrmacht. The Italians will pay for this treachery. Italy was now at war with Germany. What had happened?

On July 31st Benito Mussolini was removed as Duce and captured. He was imprisoned in the Hotel Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso. Marshal Badoglio became the new ruler. He has promised to lead the war on the German side. No one in Germany believed that. Indeed some newspapers already reported, the Italians were asking for peace. However, in contrast to Germany, the Allies were ready to accept. Italy however, should declare war on Germany, too. Because of this Canaris had built up a spy system, which should keep them informed. It is believed, that Junio Valerio Borghese was the top spy, but it isn't sure, if he had the position needed. However, already on September 3rd, when the ink wasn't dry, the Germans knew about the situation. In the night the German cabinet met and decided to declare war on the former Ally. Officially the armistice was not known. Fall Achse, already planned, was initiated.

In the evening hours of September 4th, after having the evidences needed, a German infantry division, officially on the way to Southern Italy, moved into La Spezia harbour. The division should make sure, no ship left the harbour. Similar actions appeared also in Genua, Triest, Castellamare di Stabia, Livorno, Taranto and in Greek ports, but not in Venice. The division in La Spezia went to the port facilities. There they surprised the Italian soldiers totally. Most of them were even not aware about the armistice. Admiral Bergamini was the first person to be arrested. His aide later said, he was forced to give the order to leave the ships to the Germans. Most soldiers were way too perplex to resist and only a few tried to resist or to sabotage their ships. No severe sabotage happened, except the light cruiser RN Montecucolli, which needed repairs after.

In all the Germans were disarming nearly one million soldiers. Most Italian ships were captured:

At Genua: 2 CL, 4 DD, 2 TB, 3 SS At La Spezia: BB Italia, BB Roma, BB Vitorio Veneto, 2 CA, 4 CL, 9 DD, 4 TB, 4 SS At Taranto: BB Caio Duilio, BB Andrea Doria, 2 CL, 1 DD At other harbours BB Cavour, 4 CL, 9 DD, 18 TB, 29 SS, 12 corvettes and a number of smaller vessels. 2 CV, 6 CL, 1 DD, 15 TB, 18 SS, 19 corvettes were captured being built.

The destroyer RN Da Noli and RN Vivaldi could escape out of Castellabare but were sunk by in the San Bonifacio strait.

BB RN Guilio Cesare, Aircraft tender RN Miraglia, DD RN Riboty and TB RN Saggitario can escape from some Adriatic harbours. The squadron is however detected by the Marineflieger. 11 Do 217 of MKG 1 attack the fleeing ships with guided bombs. The Italians do not notice the attack as the planes are not in range of of conventional bombs. Only when RN Guilio Cesare was already hit, the Italian flak fires. But in vain. The RN Guilio Cesare is hit four times and explodes as the magazine is hit. RN Miraglia is hit by only one and also sinks with great losses. Only 48 naval soldiers can be rescued.

There are only few Italian ships, which came through to the Allied harbours. In the Med there were 1 DD, 12 TB, 8 corvettes and some smaller vessels, in the the cruiser Eritrea and a transport could escape to Ceylon. Three other submarines were captured by the Germans in .

Due to the danger of invasion the south Italian ports were evacuated. The destroyer at Castellamare could go on their own and even tow the unfiinished cruiser Guilio Germanico to La Spezia. RN Caio Duilio and RN Andrea Doria were towed to Triest, the CL RN Luigi Cadorna, RN Pompeo Magno and DD RN Da Recco were going to with a crew sent from Germany.

With the Italian Regia Marina under control, the Wehrmacht also disarmed the air force and the army. Over 1.000.000 men were disarmed and made PoW. Also the equipment was taken over.

In Marshal Badoglio was arrested. Here also posts of US, UK and Soviet origin were found to press him to integrat commies into his new government. The Royal Family was also arrested and taken custody in Germany.

On the same day Fallschirmjäger liberated Mussolini out of his internment on Gran Sasso massif. He was brought to Vienna by a Fieseler 156 Storch STOL plane. In Vienna he met with Graf von der Schulenburg.

Schulenburg made him clear to become official leader of the Republica Italiana again, if he remained passive and let Count Ciano, who had fled to Germany after he voted against Hitler, run the government. Italy would have to fight on the German side still and would have to sign a seperate peace treaty. De facto it was a puppet state. Mussolini accepted. He was chosen over Ciano as he was easier to press. Ciano was told he had only this chance to rule Italy. The Allies would never accept that. Only if he did a good job, he might keep the power because of this. If he also tried to betray the Germans...

So the Republica Italiana was formed. However, only 250.000 Italian soldiers chose to fight for them. Many of them were either fascists or anti communists. As the Mafia support and the pressure to install commies in the government became public, several more soldiers joined. Among them was the famous Decima MAS unit.

On September 29th the Peace Treaty of Vienna was published:

Quote:

Peace of Vienna

We, the heads of state of the and the Italian Republic, want to stop all hostilities and to bring peace between our nations. As such we agree to this:

Art. 1: The Republica Italiana and the Deutsches Reich are no longer at war with each other. Peace shall remain between our two peoples.

Art. 2: The Republica Italiana cedes the Provinces of South Tyrol, Belluno, Trentino, Udine, Görz, Triest, Pola and Fiume to the German Reich. The same is true for the islands.

Art. 3: Both nations reconizes their borders as unchangeable.

Art. 4: (1) Italy cedes these ships to Germany. a) : Aquila Sparviero b) Battleships: Italia Roma Vittorio Veneto Impero c) Heavy Cruiser: Bolzano Gorizia d) Light Cruiser: Bari Taranto

Luigi Di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi Guiseppe Garibaldi

Emanuele Filiberto Duca D'Aosta Eugenio di Savoiy

Pompeo Magno Scipione Africano Attilio Regolo Caio Mario Cornelio Sulla Ulpio Traiano Ottaviano Augusto Guilio Germanico e) Destroyer: Camicia Nera Carabiniere Corraziere Fuciliere Granatiere Legionario Mitragliere Squadrista Velite f) 16 torpedo boats Germany can select on a later date. g) 24 corvettes of the Gabbiano class Germany can select on a later date. h) 100 other smaller vessels Germany can select later.

(2) Italy cedes these ships to Croatia: Light Cruiser Cattaro Destroyer Premuda Destroyer Sebenico

(3) Italy cedes to Germany all ships of French origin.

(4) Should the ships be still under completition or repair, the Republica Italiana pays for the completition resp. repair. This is true, even if the ships are damaged after this treaty comes in force but before general peace is restored. Bari and Taranto are excluded from this.

(5) Should one of the ships under (1) or (2) or (3) be sunk, Italy builds a replacement unit or pays damages. Bari and Taranto are excluded from this.

(6) All ships not mentioned under (1) to (3) are to be returned after general peace is restored.

Art. 5: Italy pays 25 billion Goldmark reparations.

Art. 6: Italy transfers 250.000 grt of civilian ships to Germany. All civilian German ships hold in custody are to be given back to the German owners.

Art. 7: Italy declares war on the Allies and remains at war until a general peace is negotiated.

Art. 8: Italy recognizes every seperate peace treaty Germany signs.

Art. 9: Italy accepts the German troop garrisons on her soil until the general war is over.

Done at Vienna, September 30th, 1943

Signed Beck, Reichsverweser Signed Goerdeler, Reichskanzler Signed Mussolini, Duce Signed Ciano, Prime Minister But this was not the end of the war in Italy as the Allies landed at and had built up their own Puppet regime. Also the fights in the Dodecanese still continued.

Fall Achse, September 5th - November 22nd 1943, Part 2

Operation Avalanche

The Allies were caught in total surprise in regards of the Fall Achse. They did not think about that, at least not so soon. So for the first few days no one was able to give orders. Indeed it would last until September 9th until the invasion could start.

But that meant for the Germans more time to prepare. So on September 6th the last vessels left Taranto, S-54 under Oberleutnant z.S. Schmidt and S-61 under Obermaat Blömker. They went to Venice. On the way they sank a small Italian auxiliar minesweeper of 51 ts and the RN Aurora, 935 ts. The troop transport Leopardi (4.572 grt) with 700 men was captured. Off Venice the destroyer Sella was torpedoed. And the commander of Venice surrendered shortly after! Three small boats take a city! Therefore Olt. Schmidt got the Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross.

And it wasn't his last victim of this operation. HMS Abdiel was the leading ship of a cruiser group to land in Taranto. She had a degaussing device, which was charged by a set of batteries. A second set would be recharged and would take the task on Midnight. Exactly in these few seconds, in which the device wasn't online, the HMS Abdiel hit a mine and sank at once with heavy loss of life.

But Taranto wasn't the real invasion spot. That was Salerno. Indeed Rommel had predicted that and some time to make preparations.

When the Allies landed, they saw, it was problematical. Monitor HMS Abercrombie, DD HMS Laforey and 5 LST were damaged. And then the Marineflieger attacked.

The German Luftwaffe had given up several wings to the new formed Marineflieger. Most pilots even still wore the Luftwaffe uniforms. However, in Italy the German Navy had 4 bomber wings and the Luftwaffe 5 and one Stuka wing. The latter was also transferred to the navy shortly after.

So the air strikes were heavy. BB HMS Warspite was sunk by 4 Fritz X bombs. CL HMS Uganda became a constructive total loss, while CL USS Savannah was sunk by these bombs as well after the ammo chamber exploded. HMHS Newfoundland was sunk by a Hs 293 missile. HMS could escape all guided bombs and missiles- only to be sunk by airborne torpedoes. In the meantime several other ships were damaged. And DD HMS Rowan torpedoed by S-Boats.

In the meantime the Allies have great problems to establish a bridgehead. A counter attack of Panzers is only stopped because of the artillery support of HMS Valiant, HMS King George V. and HMS Howe. This time they got air cover by the CV USS Essex, USS Yorktown, CVL HMS Unicorn and the CVE HMS Battler, HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter and HMS Stalker. But when the British ships retreated it was late and with the last light gone, the German bombers attacked. Indeed all available planes were used for this attack, 392 bombers and 56 Stukas.

HMS Valiant was torpedoed and hit by a Fritz X. HMS King George V. was hit by three of these bombs and also exploded. HMS Howe was hit by two and severely damaged but could be saved. The three bigger carrier were attacked by the Stukas. All three were hit. USS Essex was sunk, USS Yorktown was a burning wreck, which had to be scuttled. HMS Unicorn was damaged, but not in danger to be sunk. HMS Stalker was also not hit. HMS Battler and HMS Attacker were sunk by "normal" bombs. HMS Hunter was hit by airborne torpedoes. HMS Euryalus was also sunk by three Hs 293. A further 8 destryoer were sunk, too. It was a German victory, but a costly one. Indeed 88 planes were shot down and 62 further damaged.

In the next days the air strikes of the Luftwaffe lost in effcience. Nevertheless HMS Orion and USS Boise and several smaller vessels as well as two transports were sunk, too. But in the end they could not stop the Allies.

While in the meantime the Germans had evacuated the forces in the south and prepared the Gothen line, they retreated slowly. Rommel was the opinon that because of the still ongoing sea and air superiority of the Allies only more losses would be caused and therefore went back to the Gothen line. Many historians think it was a mistake as indeed many Allied ships were sunk or damaged, but he believed to have a reason for this. And there were no German crews to man the Italian navy and to send the Allies to the bottom of the seas. A fact the German propaganda used in Italy.

For the Allies the invasion was a phyrric victory. 7.000 Germans and 156 enemy planes were downed, but three battleships sunk, another damaged, two fleet carriers and three escort carriers sunk and a light carrier damaged as well as 6 light cruiser and 13 destroyer. Also 12.551 men of the landing forces were dead and they failed to enclose the German forces in the very south.

It was obvious they needed means to stop these new weapons. The USN however still did not see that the carriers needed an armoured flight . Indeed because of this HMS Unicorn was only damaged, while the bigger Essex class carrier were sunk.

Furthermore they needed more ships now to guard the former Italian navy. And on the land no further advance was possible in the Apennin mountains. Against the Gothen line they were not able to break through them.

Fall Achse, September 5th - November 22nd 1943, Part 3

Dodecanese campaign

The Dodecanse was part of the thoughts of British and German generals as well in the case of Italian surrender. The Germans feared the Nickel import from threatened as well as the Ploesti Oil Fields. The British wanted it as bargaining chip to convince Turkey to declare war on Germany and then sweeping through the Balcan.

So it was no wonder why the Germans started to station garrison units on the islands, while the British were preparing the invasion. However, Eisenhower and also Roosevelt were both not convinced about the plan as they knew the terrain. Because of this they denied to send long range fighters and transports. Churchill nevertheless wanted Operation Accolade executed and gave General Wilson the order to attack. With the few means he had.

The Germans had one destroyer, ZG 3 Hermes, and 5 torpedo boats of French origin, active. Although the latter were only suitable as escorts. The other ships of Italian origin, 2 CL, 3 DD and 3 TB, would not be ready until the end of October.

The main island of the Dodecanese is . When Fall Achse was executed, one small division, the so called Sturmdivision Rhodos, with 18 tanks, 18 armoured vehicles and 27 StuG III and 7.000 men, were facing 34.000 Italian soldiers. Generalleutnant Kleemann ordered General Forgiero to surrender, what he refused. Soon the division attacked and took the two Italian air fields. The next day the Italian HQ followed. Although the commando major Jellicoe tried to convince the Italian commander to fight until British replacement troops arrived, the island surrendered the very next morning.

On the island of Karpathos both sides agreed to wait for the results on Rhodes, so that the Italians surrendered on September 13th.

With the Fall of Rhodes Operation Accolade was doomed. Too important was the island for support and defense.

On the Italian garrison was disarmed by the 22. Infantry Division. Many Italians joined however the communistic ELAS army.

Keffalonia, Korfu and Andros had to be captured with force.

That meant the Aegean islands, except the Dodecanese, were now under German control.

The next island to be captured was . Two squadrons, the 74th RAF and the 6th SAAF, as well as some planes from the Italian 396° squadron, 1.300 British and 4.000 Italians were defending the island.

In the meantime 300 planes, meanly from Italy, were sent to Greece. However, as, except Kos, there was no airfield for the Italians and British, the Allies could only rely on two Beaufighter squadrons, 227th and 252th, on Cyprus.

Before the invasion came, the fight at sea became more intense. The RN used mostly destroyer in this area, which mostly operated at night. Because of the distance, they had to retreat after two nights. However, they were able to sink the steamers Pluto, Paula and Donizetti as well as the escort UJ 2104 and the TA 10. Especially the loss of Donizetti was severe as there were 1.584 Italian PoW on board. There were no survivors.

Luftwaffe and Marineflieger revenged this by sinking the DD HMS Intrepid and the Greek Vasilissa Olga, the Italian MAS 534 and the steamer Prode. Also the Italian DD Euro and the steamer Ivorea were sunk as well as the Legnano, the landing ship Porto Di Roma and the landing boat MZ 730.

On October 2nd the Germans invaded Kos. Here also six Spitfires were captured. The next morning 1.388 Brits, 3.145 Italians and a British LCT were captured as well. 14 Germans and 65 Brits had died.

The next day, CL HMS Aurora, HMS Penelope, HMS Sirius, HMS Dido and 5 DD were sent to the Aegean islands. That didn't prevent that the Italian garrison on Kalymnos surrendered.

On October 9th the SS HMS Unruly and the said cruiser task force sank a German convoy of a subchaser, UJ 2111, 6 MFP landing craft and a transport. HMS Unruly sank the minelayer Bulgaria. Most soldiers could be rescued though. Therefore HMS Penelope was damaged by bombs and Stukas sank CL HMS and DD HMS Panther as revenge. In the next time also UJ 2109 and three MFP were sunk in harbours by enemy ships.

On October 15th Korvettenkapitän Brandt from minelayer Drache saw from Kalymnos two British DD north off Leros heading west. In the next night there a mine was laid. Hunt class destroyer escort HMS Hurworth and her Greek sister Adrias were mined. The first sank, the other could be groundes without in Turkish waters, but was a total loss. If that was not enough DD HMS Eclipse sank there with heavy loss of life, too.

On October 18th German PoW could overwhelm their guards and drive the Hedgehog to a German hold harbour, where also important material was captured as well. However, four German transports were lost, too, one of them full of PoW. Of 2.389 Italians only 566 survived. Salvatore, an old transport with low speed, managed it to come home savely with 1.200 PoW.

In November the campaign to take Leros started. On November 7th the submarine HMS Simoon was torpedoed by U 565. On November 11th three Allied destroyer attacked Kalymnos harbour and sank the transport Trapani. However, Marineflieger attacked them and chased them away. HMS Rockwood got a Hs 293 hit into the rudder and had to be scuttled.

The day later the 2 German CLs, 3 DDs and 2 TBs launched the attack on Leros, where the boat ML 358 was sunk by them. R 210 sank the BYMS 72.

Leros had a bad flak defense but an outstanding naval battery. Landing there was problematical. Even gunfire support was difficul for the German warships. However, some forces could land, supported by Fallschirmjäger.

HMS Dulverton, whic tried to prevent the invasion, was sunk by another Hs 293 missile. And it was the Luftwaffe and here especially the Ju 87 Stukas, who supported the ground fighters. However, on November 16th the British general Tilney was captured and so the island surrendered. 408 Germans, 347 British and 231 Italians had died or were missed.

Samos surrendered on November 23rd ending the fights in the Dodecanese.

In the following time the Greek population was allowed to build up an own administration with own mayors, schools and so on. The Greek population celebrated the Germans as liberators.

[End of Fall Achse]

The War at Sea, September 1943

The started to stop the Uboat threat at the very beginning and had deployed escorts in the Biskaya near the Spanish coast for Uboat hunting. The German Navy, however, had already found a problem: guided missiles. Before they were vastly used in the Med, they were tested under combat situations in the Biskaya.

On August 25th already the German MKG 1 attacked the escorts, however, they were not succesful. Only slight damages occur. Therefore U-523 was sunk. But the second attack against HMCS Athbascan, HMS Grenville and HMS Egret was much more successful. This attack three days later is a full success. HMCS Athabascan was struck at first by one missile and laid dead in the water. HMS Egret was sunk by one hit in the ammunition chamber with 197 men. HMS Grenville was struck by 3 missiles and then sunk. HMCS Athabascan was then the target of another 2 missiles and sank beneath the waves.

The British ships were not warned and so they were surprised and did not make any suited evasive manoeuvers.

Indeed the Germans had not used Enigma for this weapon to have a test. Even though the British had no idea, they did not doubt the usefulness of ULTRA. It was a too important and too successful means to doubt or even abort.

Because of some doubts in the abilities of the surface fleet, Großadmiral Dönitz had ordered the Unternehmen Sizilien. Both battleships ready for action and 9 escorting destroyers attack with amphibious infantry Svalbard archipelago, capture the Norwegian defenders and destroying the bases and coastal batteries on September 8th. The German combat group retreated and arrived their bases in Norway without further contact with the enemy.

This action only showed that both ships were ready for action. In the Kremlin Stalin became more and more worried. He contacted the Allies and demanded the aquisal of a whole fleet to fight the Germans. The western Allies were able to calm him down. However, he was able to get USS Intrepid, USS North Carolina, HMS Ramilies, HMS Renown, USS Baltimore, USS , USS Milwaukee and HMS and 12 Town and Fletcher class destroyer each. They arrived Kola in early November without porblems. Indeed the German planes were not able to find them in the darkness.

On September 19th to 23rd Uboat wolfpack Leuthen attacks covoy ONS 18/ON 202. They use the new acoustic guided T-5 Zaunkönig torpedo. Although 9 merchants and 12 escorts were claimed, indeed only 6 merchants with about 37.000 grt and four escorts were sunk (HMS Lagan became a constructive total loss): DD HMCS St. Croix, FF HMS Lagan, FF HMS Itchen, FS HMS Polycanthus. The loss of HMS Itchen was especially dramatic, as the ship had just rescued the survivors of HMCS St. Croix and HMS Polycanthus. Only 2 from HMS Itchen and one of HMCS St. Croix survived. The others, including the sole survivor of HMS Polycanthus, died, when the ship exploded. The Germans lost U-229 and U-338. The great success reports lead to an overestimation of the new kind of torpedo.

On September 21st the British midget submarines X-5, X-6, X-7, X-8, X-9 and X-10 tried to get to the places of Tirpitz and Lützow. However, X-8 and X-9 sink before arrival, X-10 retreats because of technical defects and X-5 is mined. X-6 and X-7 however could come through and should lay ground mines near Tirpitz. But suddenly X-7 hits another mine layd in a distance around Tirpitz on proposal of the Italian Admiral Borghese. Due to the explosion, X-6 is forced to surface. Now in range of the 10,5 cm flak of Tirpitz she becomes an easy prey.

Captain Meyer orders at once a search for more midget submarines, but no more are found, only debries. He orders, too, to flood empty compartments so that the ship is lower in the water aft. He at once makes the call, Tirpitz is offline for six months. Then a messenger is sent to Wilhelmshaven with the real situation: Tirpitz not damaged, fully operational, "damages" only floodings to fool enemy spies, asking for orders.

In Wilhelmshaven a new plan is made...

Washington DC, White House, September 20th 1943

Andrej Gromyko had asked for an audience with president Roosevelt the day before. He knew he had a difficult task. He also asked the British ambassador Viscout Halifax to join. He had already given both the topic of their meeting.

Roosevelt: Ah ambassador Gromyko. How are you? Did you have time to get along with your new area of tasks?

Gromyko: I am fine, but there is much work, and I still have to learn a lot.

Roosevelt: Like all of us, especially in these times.

Halifax: Indeed.

Roosevelt: However, you want to lease some of our ships?

Gromyko: Yes.

Halifax: We got the lists. Impossible.

Roosevelt: Indeed, especially as we had so many losses. You demand an Iowa class battleship, 2 South Dakota and 2 KGV class battleships, 6 Essex class carriers, 15 modern cruiser and 50 destroyer! Sir, this is impossible!

Halifax: Look, if we lease it to you, we need to build new ships to fight the Japanese! All actions in the Pacific had to wait.

Gromyko: I see your problem and understand it. I even understand it more that the leadership in Moscow. But please see our situation as well. Our whole Ice Sea Coast is vulnerable to German naval attacks. They could appear of Murmansk and Archangelsk. Last year a single ship, the Admiral Scheer, could derupt the whole traffic there. And now the Germans attacked Spitzbergen! That is a huge danger for us.

Roosevelt: We know. And we won't be the last not to act and help you. So we could give you some ships of the British R-class as well as some modernized...

Gromyko: Sir, sorry to interrrupt you. However, we think that will be insufficient to deal with such an enemy force! The enemy ships could deal with these ships with ease. That force would be insufficient. We need modern ships.

Roosevelt: We understand. But we don't have these ships on the list. And I get severe troubles if I lease you so big modern vessels. The Congress...

Gromyko: I know it is problematic. But as an ally we expect your help. We need them to defend us. If we can't do so, there might be other means... (Stalin had given him the authority to threaten with the retreat from the war, in the case, the Allies would make trouble, but only as the ultima ratio)

Roosevelt thought, it might be a bluff, but wasn't sure himself. He also needed the Soviets in the fightings with the Germans.

Roosevelt: Well, it is simply impossible to deliver these ships.

Gromyko: What would be possible?

Halifax: We have only two KGV class BB ready for action and they are very needed for the convoys. But we could give you HMS Ramilies and HMS Renown. As for cruiser I can give you HMS Frobisher and a dozen Town class destroyer.

Gromyko: I see your problem, dear Halifax. However, HMS Frobisher or any other cruiser of ww1 vintage is way too old. We need modern ones. The other ships had no chances against the Deutschland or Hipper class .

Halifax: I have to talk to my government. Perhaps we can give you HMS Belfast. But more would not be possible.

Gromyko: Understood.

Roosevelt: I can hardly give modern ships to you. Perhaps twelve Fletcher class destroyer. And perhaps some CVE.

Gromyko: CVEs are way too slow. We need a full fleet carrier at least.

Gromyko knew, the list was impossible. What he didn't say, was, he had altered the demandings. He wasn't even sure that he got the ships Stalin wanted. If he demanded way more, he might have a chance. And Stalin had only demanded a few modern ships and some older to guard the White Sea.

Roosevelt: Impossible. We need all of them!

Gromyko: How many Essex class fleet carrier do you have being built now?

Roosevelt knew, Gromyko knew the answer already.

Roosevelt: 5 completed, 2 of them sunk, two further to be completed this year, 7 in 1944 and 5 in 1945 and 4 in 1946 and 2 in 1947.

Gromyko: That are 23 ships. We would only ask for one, especially as there are about six to be completed within the next six months.

Roosevelt: We need them to guard the German fleet in Italy as well as in the Pacific.

Gromyko: We know that. But we are fighting a struggle for life and death. And that longer than you! We need the ships!

Roosevelt: Okay. We can give you the USS Intrepid. But that will be the only carrier available.

Gromyko: Understood. Nevertheless we need at least one modern battleships and some cruisers as well! Look. Last year you sent USS Washington with the Arctic convoys. You could lease her to us. We need som modern ship to counter Tirpitz at least.

Roosevelt: Al right. I can give you USS Washington, USS Baltimore, USS Boston and as light cruiser USS Milwaukee. But more we simply can't afford.

Gromyko (sighs).

Gromyko: All right. I will send a message to Moscow. I don't think Stalin will be very pleased, but I think he will accept.

Roosevelt: Greetings to good ol' Joe.

Gromyko: I will tell him.

Gromyko left the room.

Halifax: I don't know. We might regret this one day.

Roosevelt: I do it already. But we need the Soviets. Without them it will be much harder. And I totally trust Stalin. He's a good man.

Halifax: But the stories...

Roosevelt: Bah, only lies and half truths.

Elections, September 5th, 1943

The election of the Reichstag were the first real one since 1933. Unlike ten years ago there was no NSDAP or KPD participating. Both parties were banned. The elections were fair, equal and free. That was testified by the Swedish and Swiss observers. There were only particular incidents, which was indeed normal.

The results:

SPD: 28,9% Zentrum: 16,4% DNVP: 15,6% DDP: 11,3% DVP: 9,3% Wirtschaftspartei: 5,2% BVP: 5,1% Others: 7,2%

SPD, Zentrum, DNVP, DDP and DVP decided to continue the government and formed a great coalition. The Wirtschaftspartei joined. The BVP as Bavarian party did not join, but still supported the government. The few members belonging to the other parties and the minorities, indeed the Danes and Poles were allowed to send their representive to the parliament, were the opposition, which was nearly not able to make much influences. Indeed the Dane member, as there was only one, was the most prominent, as he made a constructive way. The few Poles, one of them also released from a KZ, were mostly boycotting the sessions. Many asked, why they joined the elections at all.

The Cabinet remained unchanged and on September 20th, Goerdeler was now democratically elected chancellor.

The hopes the Allies would recognize the result, were destroyed as soon as the ballot was counted. The US declared nothing has changed. Even the Morgenthau plan remained in force. The same declaration came from Churchill. And Stalin did not recognize the elections as the comminists were not participating.

Indeed it wasn't the only election. Also with the Reichstags election the National Assembly was elected. They should make a new constitution. As many work was already done at Herrenchiemsee, the Assembly was able to publish the new constitution proposal in early December.

However, an important part of this constitution was already put into force as the Charta der Menschen- und Bürgerrechte, charta of the civil laws. Here all civil laws were mentioned and put into force as the first law of the Goerdeler government after the elections. However, at the same time the emergency clause was evoked and used to limit these laws because of the war. However, the core of the basic laws remained in force.

______

Berlin, October 1st, 1943

When leaving his secret hide out in Wilmersdorf, Otto Skorzeny was captured. He was strongly suspicious to be the head of the Bruderschaft. However, last proofs were missing. Therefore Manstein talked to him. Either he joined the Heeresgruppe "Totenkopf", which was mainly formed from former SS members and he would be free if he survived 180 days at the front, where special operations would count more, or he would be executed for treason and murder. As there was a witness, who saw him and one of the assassins. Which was not true, however, Skorzeny believed Manstein and he felt it was better killing Russians than waiting for the guillotine.

Tokyo, October 1st, 1943

Admiral Yamamoto had been on a party in the German embassy two days before, where he got the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves to the Iron Cross. And a small piece of paper, where he was asked for a secret meeting with the German naval attachée. Rear Admiral Paul Wenneker had got several instructions from a lieutenant sent by Admiral Canaris. And he was shocked, when he had read them. So both met in Yamamoto's bureau at first. After talking about the construction of carriers, they went outside into the Imperial garden, as an audience with the Empror could have been arraged. It was now autumn and the leaves were falling. They were very early and waited in the garden to meet the Emperor there.

Yamamoto: The leaves are falling. I fear for our nations. They might face the same fate.

Wenneker: It might be. But we still have chances. Is it here safe to speak?

Yamamoto: Yes, absolutely. The army doesn't dare to have here bugs and none of the agents are here. I could keep them away.

Wenneker: Then, sir, I have to warn you. We have strong hints, that your encrypting device has been cracked.

Yamamoto: Yes? How? I don't believe that!

Wenneker: I can't tell you very much more. You have to confirm that. If you don't believe me, and I am wrong there's nothing wrong to test. If I am right, you need to know it for sure. So in any way a test is needed. You can't lose anything but gain much.

Yamamoto: Maybe. Why do you tell me?

Wenneker: Because Japan and Germany are allied.

Yamamoto: Unless we can make peace with the Allies.

Wenneker: True. And that's our main problem.

Yamamoto: True.

Wenneker: Listen, we have sunk a great portion of their fleet in the Med. Indeed we could cripple them and beat them heavily. Unfortunately we also lost many bombers. It was a high price. Our Naval Air Force had many losses and needs to regain strength. Although I fear we need them soon again. Nevertheless the Allies are sending ships to the Med. Ships, which were used to send in the Pacific. However, we can only bind them. I fear the next time they come into our range, we have less forces to fight them. And they have other means. But for the time being, they are bound. That will endanger their other operations. As commanding officer of all German units in the Pacific, what it not much, I want to give you now an analysis of the situation.

Yamamoto: Please continue.

Wenneker: You're on the retreat. The US are conquering island by island. Island hopping they call it.

Yamamoto: Yes, but the tactic...

Wenneker: was that they bleed to death. Yes, we're doing the same tactics with the Russians now. With the difference you hope the US make finally peace after they lost too many soldiers. Well, that will last for a while. And I fear that won't happen until more men died. Indeed just now the Allies are advancing. And they get less losses than they inflict. Also looking on the production numbers: Even if we can bind a number of these ships now, they can build much more. More than you can't deal with.

Yamamoto: Yes, true. I have warned for this moment.

Wenneker: I know. And at this moment we really need to continue to fight. And we need Allies. However, we need trustable Allies. We were able to force the Rumanian, Hungarian and Slovak governments to more democratic structures. They are supporting us. The new Croat government has banned the Ustasha regime and seems to grow public support. The Italians are now a puppet. We needed Mussolini as puppet as he needs us, has to continue the war and has some public support. All other governments would be better for Italy but worse for us. So we needed a way out of this dilemma. Of the neutral countries the relations to Sweden and Switzerland became better. They feared us, but now they knw, we won't attack them nor is there a crazy Austrian at the power. Portugal is Allied-alligned. And we can't change that. And Franco? Well, he was at first a bit weary, but now feels more comfortable. I think he feared Hitler. He is quiet relieved to have a new government in Germany. But except that he has not dissolved the Blue Division, indeed they are now part of the Deutsche Fremdenlegion, and still supports it, makes him a kind of partner. But he has indeed no cojones, like a Spaniard would say. And Turkey? Well, the Allies have nothing to offer to them. Russia has not gained any ground since after Stalingrad and the Dodecanese will soon be in German hands. Indeeds they have opened the Dardanelles for our ships to pass. But Japan...

Yamamoto: Japan is lead by an ultranationalistic gang. A gang not able to negotiate with, much less than your government. A problem.

Wenneker: Yes. However, we can't support anything in this internal matter. At least not directly.

Yamamoto: Understood.

Wenneker: You need support. And you need another great victory. Therefore I would suggest to build up a convoy system. Also better protection against hits are needed. And you should start attacking the US merchant vessels.

Yamamoto: Yes.

Wenneker: I don't think the Emperor would be a problem for you.

Yamamoto: No, he won't. But I still hesitate as it would be against the system...

Wenneker: The system is corrupt due to the men leading. It must be rescued.

Yamamoto: Something must change so that it remains.

Wenneker: Exactly.

Yamamoto: We will soon meet the Emperor.

Vichy, October 2nd 1943

An old man of 87 years was looking out of the window of his bureau. He was once the commander of one of the best forces on this planet, at least he thought that then. He saw the leaves falling, like Yamamoto and Wenneker did one day ago on the other side of Earth. He felt old. He made thoughts about the situation. Where the errors were made? Why it went so terribly wrong? What could I had done else? What can I do now? His thoughts were terminated, when he remarked someone els had entered the room.

Laval: Bonjour, monsieur le Président.

Pétain: I don't know if it is a good day. I just got the answer from Berlin.

Laval: They are willing to make peace and retreat their forces, despite they are at war with the Allies? They want to end the occupation?

Pétain: Yes.

Laval: And what are the conditions? Do they demand the whole colonial empire? Our fleet? Reparations?

Pétain: Read.

Laval, after he had read: That's another treaty of Versailles!

Pétain: Well, they indeed demand it signed there! However, as you see it is more moderate than Versailles was. At least in some areas.

Laval: And in other areas we are hit more. Here. 132 billion Goldmark!

Pétain: Ironic, isn't it? We also demanded the very same sum!

Laval: But we are not Germany. We can't deal with that. We have less capacities. And we did not get the whole sum. Also we were not the only ones, who got reparations.

Pétain: Yes. It seems they want to blackmail us. Either we act friendly, we might have to pay less. Or...

Laval: And we can't refuse it!

Pétain: No. We have decided, what side we chose. We have asked for peace, again. Now we can't do much else.

Laval: Yes. And we can't go to the Allies. De Gaulle and they won't accept it.

Pétain: Very likely. But it is a play with the fire. If he wins, we will be shot. But then France is saved. If the Germans win, they will be even harder. Then we have nothing. Nothing.

Laval: And now?

Pétain: We have lost the war. If de Gaulle wins, well, that's the only chance now.

Laval: And what could stop the Allies?

Pétain: The Allies are in a trench warfare in Italy. They are bleeding there while they can't break through the lines. If the Germans win in the east, they will end the war.

Laval: Winning? In the East?

Pétain: I meant Stalin making peace. He can do so. And likely he will soon after the next defeat. No, de Gaulle has little chances. And don't forget, he is a pussy of Churchill.

Laval: Yes, he is. He made himself to the ruler of France. There was no legitimation doing so. And now most colonies are under his control.

Pétain: Yes. And here we have the next problem. The Germans want me to sign the treaty. And then to build up a democratical France.

Laval: ---

Pétain: Yes, I shall take the blame. And then someone else can be the liberator. (sighs) Yes, we must sign it.

Laval: And then?

Pétain: We'll have to see.

Laval: Oui.

Pétain: Please call von der Schulenburg. We are ready to sign.

Quote:

Second Treaty of Versailles

The German and the French governments, willing to stop the bloodshed between their people, willing to restore peace and cordial neighbourhood, have decided, what follows:

Art. I: Peace is restored between the German Empire and the Republic of France.

Art. II: The French Republic confesses, she and her Allies are guilty to start the current war due to the First Treaty of Versaiiles. All hostilities started were caused by this treaty.

Art. III: Both signatory parties agree to conduct a plebiscite in the area of Alsace- Lorraine in the borders of 31.08.1914 (Appendix 1). This plebiscite is to hold until 31.01.1944. Both signatories recognize the result as binding eternally. French people displcad from 01.01.1940 until 28.02.1943 can return and take part of the ballot. The further details are to be dealt in a seperate Agreement (Appendix 2).

Art. IV: (1) France cedes the colonies of Nr. 1 Cameroon Nr. 2 Togo Nr. 3 French Polynesia Nr. 4 French West Africa, parts Goldcoast and Benin Nr. 5 French Equatorial Africa Nr. 6 Réunion and Comores. For further details see Appendix 3.

(2) The French government is entitled to keep up the administration until the German government takes over the control.

(3) Should the German government can regain Colonies occupied by a foreign third nation right now, it will recede the colonies mentioned in (1) Nr. 3-6 accordingly. For further detail see memorandum of understandin in Appendix 4.

Art. V: (1) The French government cedes the following ships to the German government:

Nr. 1: Battleships Strasbourg Clemenceau Nr. 2 Cruiser: Dupleix Algérie La Galissonière Marseillaise De Grasse Nr. 3 Destroyer Aigle Gerfaut Kersaint Tartu Volta Mogador La Palme Le Mars Le Hardi L'Adroit Casque Lansquenet ZF 1 ZF 2 ZF 3 Nr. 4 Torpedo boats: L'Iphegénie Bombarde La Bayonnaise Baliste Nr. 5 others: All ships of the Élan and Chamois classes

(2) Should the ships be still under completition or repair, the French Republic pays for the completition resp. repair. This is true, even if the ships are damaged after this treaty comes in force but before general peace is restored.

(3) Should one of the ships under (1) be sunk, The French Republic builds a replacement unit or pays damages.

Art. VI: (1) France pays the German Reich reparations of 132 million Goldmark.

(2) If France is unable to pay, a moratorium can be negotiated. The French will then pay 10% interests for the rates not paid until the raid is indeed finally paid. The German government decides, if such an excuse is given.

Art. VII: France is building 1.000.000 grt of civilian ships for Germany on their own costs.

Art. VIII: France remains neutral in this treaty and only may enter on Germany's side.

Art. IX: France recognizes the treaty of Vienna and all other treaties the German Reich signs. It will never act in contrast to this treaty.

Art. X: France may not base any troops west of the line in Appendix 4 until 10 years after peace was concluded. (Abbéville, Amiens, Meaux, Auxerre, Dijon, Geneva)

Art. XI: France may not posses, build, gain, import or export weapons of mass destruction.

Art. XII: The occupation of French territory ends at this moment the Allies recognize the neutrality of France. All troops will leave French soil within one month.

Done at Versailles, October 21st, 1943

Signed Beck, Reichsverweser Signed Goerdeler, Reichskanzler Signed Pétain, Président Signed Laval, Chef du Gouvernement

Berlin, October 3rd 1943

Just after the Reichstag had voted for the peace treaty with France, with a majority of 60%, while the SPD members and some others abstained, and 10% against, Goerdeler, Leber, v.d. Schulenburg, Speer, now member of the DNVP, Canaris and v. Witzleben met in Goerdeler's bureau.

Leber: I always think it is a bad idea to make such a treaty. It will be the best propaganda against us! And what do we get? It will make us France an enemy for ever. We need peace, not war. And no armistice for another 20 years. It is Brest-Litowsk.

Goerdeler: It is a much milder peace than the first treaty of Versailles.

Leber: Yes. But the French won't see that.

Goerdeler: May be not now. But that doesn't change anything. Or are you against the plebiscite in Alsace Lorraine?

Leber: No. But what about the colonies. That's outdated! We need markets, partners, no colonies!

Goerdeler: At first it is only the replacement of what we had lost. We only redo the Versailles treaty. Not more or less. And Cameroon and Togo are our colonies. We can show the German people we are acting for them and not against them.

Leber: Not neccessarily the German people, but the right wingers.

Goerdeler: Yes. But only on the first view. On the second not. We killed Hitler. We need to keep the right integrated as we need to integrate the left. At this moment we need to dry out the right. That doesn't work with force. Also: We didn't need to make this ballot in the Reichstag. That only happens after the signing. That we did so, is to say everyone, the German people is behind that.

Leber: That might be a boomerang.

Goerdeler: In contrast to the French we did not demand all colonies. We did not demand their fleet as total. We did not demand force limits or forbade any weapons, except weapons of mass destruction. What we will initiate later as international treaty, binding all nations. That we claimed some of their ships is, especially as we are in war, quite normal. And they can get the colonies back, if we get ours back.

Leber: That won't happen.

Goerdeler: Hardly. But that's not our problem. And if the French keep good neighbours, we can lighten their burden. If not, well, then they are unable to start a war on their own.

Leber: Yes, but the Allies can help them. We need peace.

Goerdeler: Yes, we do.

Leber: And what about the war guilt clause?

Goerdeler: Before you say, that this isn't true, as Hitler attacked Poland first, well, that's in some way true. Indeed we have to distinct between war and the genocide. For that only the Nazis are responsible. For the war, well, the Poles had the Corridore occupied. They had displaced and in some cases murdered Germans there. They were subpressing the Germans there. In short we had a casus belli against them. Indeed the invasion of the Soviet Union is the one, which is not justified.

Leber: Adenauer was also against...

Goerdeler: Adenauer is a Rhenish separatist. Look at Schumacher. He voted for the treaty.

Leber: Anyway, I think we need to end that.

Goerdeler: True. Are there any news about the Poles, Friedrich? v.d. Schulenburg: We had some contacts already to Sikorski. Von Trott zu Stolz gave him the report of the Katyn massacre. He fully believed it. But everything else was problematically. Now von Trott zu Stolz managed it to contact Mikolajczyk. He is a bit more ready to talk. But indeed his demandings are too much. For a peace he demanded to annex Lithunia or to get Belorussia and parts of the Ukraine. Of course that would mean we keep the Corridore. And he demands reparations. Huge reparations.

Goerdeler: What impression von Trott zu Stolz has? v.d. Schulenburg: He plays to get more time. He doesn't really want peace. He sets fully on the Allies.

Goerdeler: He knows, if they win, who will get then Poland. And all of Poland? v.d. Schulenburg: Yes. Fully. He already has troubles with Stalin about that.

Goerdeler: So he hopes the US are faster in than the Soviets? v.d. Schulenburg: Appearantly. Too much has happened.

Goerdeler: We need to try it again later. I hope he then gets a better day. v.d. Schulenburg: Hopefully.

Goerdeler: Did you tell him, he could keep his old eastern borders? v.d. Schulenburg: Yes.

Goerdeler: Unbelievable. Herr Speer, what is the situation with the armament industry?

Speer: We are advancing. I cancelled several planes. We will have only 2 or three types in production and look how they develope. The Bf 109 will now end and will totally replaced by the FW 190, once they can also fight in greater heights. The Me 262 will replace both, once they can be built in greater numbers and the personal is retrained on them.

Goerdeler: They can't fly a conventional plane and a jet?

Speer: No. Unfortunately we have problems with the engines. They seem to make progresses, but the first machines won't be delivered until the beginning of next year. Also Galland will have his 1.000 fighters next year. The aircraft production can make good steps. However, if the British start bombing the Ruhr area again, they might hit the steelworks and we can then expect a decline in the production abilities. On land I cancelled the production of the Type VI B Tiger tank. It is a monster, like the Maus. We simply have too few resources. We concentrate on the Panther. As for rifles we are building the StG 43 in masses and can bring them to the front. Also new anti tank weapons for the infantry are to be delivered and developed. Thanks to our US "friends" we have another way of infantry fighting against tanks. The navy got just the Graf Zeppelin. She can now carry 60 planes. Also the new Uboat Type XXI will be started being built, soon. The need of foreign labourers has lowered dramatically since we sent women into the factories. v. Witzleben: Thanks to that we can build up new divisions, pilots and air crews.

Goerdeler: Can we man all ships we have just captured? v. Witzleben: No. That will last a while. We can however man several ships and let it look like we could man all. But until we can do so it will last some time.

Goerdeler: So what is the situation? v. Witzleben: In Italy the Allies get a bloody nose at the Gothen line. They were not able to pernetrate the lines. The fights on the Dodecanese islands did not end yet, but are decided. The Brits got a bloody nose. As the Turks opened the Bosporus, there are not many problems left. The Italian fleet together with the former French vessels are good for the role as fleet in being. The Allies will send several ships to guard them. To fight enemy air strikes I ordered two fighter wings to Italy. Galland wasn't very keen about that though. The war in the air is costly for the US and Brits. But they continue bombing. Indeed they need a long range fighter. But for that problem Galland gets his fighters.

Speer: We also prepare to build a missile against planes. That will come, soon. Luckily Thiel, v. Braun and others were in August telling me about the situation, when an air strike on Peenemünde happened. v. Witzleben: The war in the east is raging. We are destroying their infrastructure, but they try to rebuild it. It lasts now longer than begore damage was repaired. However, I guess Stalin wants to attack, soon. Therefore the navy must block every support for Russia. At sea, well, there it doesn't look good. Less and less enemy ships are sunk while more and more Uboats are lost. We need this new type as fast as possible.

Canaris: It seems our new tactics and strategies are now much more efficient to hit the Soviets. Their army has a lack of supplies. They can't produce so many things they could do so. And of the total production they can't transport as they lack transports. I guess now Stalin will make one offensive. v. Witzleben: I think so. The last time he had tried several offensives. All failed. Now he will try one.

Goerdeler: Won't he be able to attack on several fronts? v. Witzleben: Yes. But then they lack the supplies very soon. On one front it will be easier. Also we let the Soviets crushing through the front quite easy. This time it won't be the case. We will defend it with all costs.

Goerdeler: And you know where he will attack?

Canaris: Yes. We think we know it. At Kursk.

Goerdeler: Why?

Canaris: We put there the Heeresgruppe Totenkopf. They are the members of the former SS and have to show their fighting abilities. For some of them it is the only way to evade being hanged. That were former SS or Einsatzgruppen members. They, like in the other front areas, have highly fortified trench systems with obstacles and so on. The first trench system will look like the main defense line, but will be given up once the artillery start shelling. Then the fights will begin. And if they finally broke trough, we will retreat again as it looks like he was successful. And then we beat back.

Goerdeler: And he believes, he can attack there?

Canaris: Yes. We said every position of our army via Enigma. We said it and here is the strongest point. I guess he feels betrayed by his spies. I guess he will act now in the opposite way.

Goerdeler: I hope you're right.

Canaris: If he attacks indeed our weakest point, we will also deal with him. However, if he doesn't get supplies soon, he has bigger problems.

Goerdeler: What is the situation in the occupied areas? v. Witzleben: In the Baltic countries our troops are seen as Allies. In Norway the situation is under control. France is calm at the moment. They are way too devided in asking themselves what to do now. In both countries they can nevertheless decide to fight us, too. Norway is not densely populated as France, but they can hurt us nevertheless. In the former Yougoslavia Tito makes us still problems.

Canaris: Perhaps we can send Skorzeny to him. If he fails, we got rid of him, if not, we got rid of Tito.

Goerdeler: Good idea. He is indeed no head of state. v.d. Schulenburg: In Greece we are fighting the Commies and some Italian deserters. Only on the Dodecanese we are celebrated as liberators. Of our Allies, the Croats has formed a democratic cabinet, the Hungarians, too. The Rumanians are also builing it up. The Italians, well, indeed we can not do it at this very moment. And France, well, they must see it, too. The Ukraine has still a provisorical government as well as the Russians. The situation with Switzerland and Sweden became more relaxed.

Goerdeler: And the Allies refuse to talk? v.d. Schulenburg: Yes

Goerdeler: Her Speer how far are you with project Wilhelmsburg?

Speer: It advances. It seems some calculations were corrected and some other problems solved. The prospectors found tungsten in a mine in Austria- and Uranium not only in Bohemia but also in Saxony! There we have no problems. However, it will last a while until we can build something.

Goerdeler: Understood. Julius, how far is the constitution?

Leber: The conference of Herrenchiemsee made good progress. I think the national assembly can make one within some weeks. By the way, where does the acclaiming will take place?

Goerdeler: I thought in Königsberg. Also to show the world we won't give it up.

Leber: Good idea.

After talking about some other problems, they departed.

Status of the German Surface Fleet,

Atlantic Ocean

Battleships

Tirpitz: Norway, operational

Scharnhorst: Norway, operational Gneisenau: Germany, under repair (early 1944)

Bismarck II (ex Clemenceau): Brest, under construction (very slow progress)

Carrier

Graf Zeppelin: Germany, just completed, in testing

Weser: Germany, under completition (early 1944)

Donau (ex de Grasse): France, under completition (ver slow progress)

Armoured Ships

Lützow: Norway, operational Admiral Scheer: Norway, operational

Heavy Cruiser

Admiral Hipper: Norway, operational Prinz Eugen: Germany, operational

Light Cruiser

Emden: Germany, trainings vessel

Köln: Germany, operational

Leipzig: Germany, trainings vessel

Nürnberg: Norway, operational

KH 1, KH 2: Holland, under construction (very slow progress)

Destroyer

Z 4 Richard Beitzen: Norway, operational

Z 5 Paul Jacobi: Norway, operational Z 6 Theodor Riedel: Norway, operational Z 10 Hans Lody: Norway, operational Z 14 Friedrich Ihn: Norway, operational Z 15 Erich Steinbrinck: Norway, operational

Z 20 Karl Galster: Norway, operational

Z 23: France, operational Z 24: France, operational Z 25: France, operational Z 27, France, operational Z 28, Germany, operational Z 29: Norway, operational Z 30: Norway, operational

Z 31: Norway, operational Z 32: France, operational Z 33: Norway, operational Z 34: Germany, operational Z 37: France, operational Z 38: Norway, operational Z 39: Germany, operational

Z 35: Germany, operational Z 36: Germany, under completition () Z 43: Germany, under completition () Z 44: Germany, under completition (July 1944) Z 45: Germany, under completition (November 1944)

ZH 1: France, operational

Z 46: Germany, under completition (March 1946) Z 47: Germany, under completition (May 1946)

Z 52: Germany, under completition (July 1945)

Torpedo Boats

Möwe: France, operational Greif: France, operational Kondor: France, operational Falke: France, operational

Jaguar: France, operational

T 1- T 5; T 7- T 12: Germany, trainings ships

T 13- T 21: Germany, trainings ships

T 23: France, operational T 24: France, operational T 25: France, operational T 26: France, operational T 27: France, operational T 28: Norway, operational T 29: Norway, operational T 30: Germany, under completition (October 1944) T 31: Germany, under completition (February 1944) T 32: Germany, under completition () T 33: Germany, under completition (June 1944) T 34: Germany, under completition (August 1944) T 35: Germany, under completition (October 1944) T 36: Germany, under completition ()

T 37: Germany, under completition (March 1945) T 38: Germany, under completition (May 1945) T 39: Germany, under completition (June 1945) T 40: Germany, under completition (July 1945) T 41: Germany, under completition (August 1945) T 42: Germany, Germany, under completition (October 1945) T 43: Germany, under completition (November 1945)

T 61- T 72: Holland, under construction (very slow progress)

Minesweeper, S-Boats and other craft are excluded.

______

Mediterranean

Battleships

Preußen (ex Roma): La Spezia, operational* Bayern (ex Italia): La Spezia, operational* Sachsen (ex Vittorio Veneto): La Spezia, operational* Württemberg (ex Impero): Triest, under construction (very slow progress, 18 months left)

Elsaß (ex Strasbourg): Toulon, under repair

SIT 1 (ex Andrea Doria): Venice, operational* SIT 2 (ex Caio Duilio): Venice, operational*

Carrier

Peter Strasser (ex Aquila): Genua, just completed*

Elbe (ex Sparviero): Genua, under construction (very slow progress)

Heavy Cruiser

Moltke (ex Gorizia): La Spezia, operational*

Seydlitz (ex Bolzano): La Spezia, under repair von der Tann (ex Dupleix): Toulon, under repair

Blücher (ex Algérie): Toulon, under repair

Light cruiser

Straßburg (ex Taranto): La Spezia, operational

Pillau (ex Bari): La Spezia, under repair

KIT 1 (ex Luigi Cadorna): Piraeus, operational

KIT 2 (ex Montecucolli): La Spezia, operational

Berlin (ex d'Aosta): La Spezia, operational München (ex Savoia): La Spezia, operational

Breslau (ex Garibaldi): La Spezia, operational Königsberg (ex Abruzzi): La Spezia, operational

Stettin (ex Pompeo): Piraeus, operational Lübeck (ex Regolo): La Spezia, operational Köln (ex Scipione): La Spezia, operational Bremen (ex Mario): La Spezia, under construction Kolberg (ex Silla): La Spezia, under construction Danzig (ex Augosto): La Spezia, under construction Dresden (ex Germanico): La Spezia, under construction

Stuttgart (ex La Galissinnière): Toulon, under repair Augsburg (ex Marseillaise): Toulon, under repair

Destroyer

ZG 3 Hermes: Piraeus, operational

ZIT 1 (ex da Recco): Piraeus, operational ZIT 2 (ex Pigafetta): Genua, operational ZIT 3 (ex Zeno): Genua, operational

ZIT 4 (ex Crispi): Piraeus, operational

ZIT 5 (ex Turbine): Piraeus, operational

ZIT 6 (ex Dardo): Genua, operational

ZIT 7 (ex Graecale): Genua, operational ZIT 8 (ex Maestrale): Genua, operational

ZIT 9 (ex Oriani): La Spezia, operational

ZIT 10 (ex Audace): Venice, operational

Z 100 (ex Nera): La Spezia, operational Z 101 (ex Carabiniere): La Spezia, operational Z 102 (ex Corraziere): La Spezia, operational Z 103 (ex Fuciliere): La Spezia, operational Z 104 (ex Granatiere): La Spezia, operational Z 105 (ex Legionario): La Spezia, operational Z 106 (ex Mitragliere): La Spezia, operational Z 107 (ex Squadrista): La Spezia, operational Z 108 (ex Velite): La Spezia, operational

SP 1 (ex Aigle): Toulon, under repair SP 2 (ex Gerfaut): Toulon, under repair

SP 3 (ex Kersaint): Toulon, under repair SP 4 (ex Tartu): Toulon, under repair

SP 5 (ex Volta): Toulon, under repair SP 6 (Mogador): Toulon, under repair

Z 109 (ex La Palme): Toulon, under repair Z 110 (ex Le Mars): Toulon, under repair

Z 111 (ex Le Hardi): Toulon, under repair Z 112 (ex L'Adroit): Toulon, under repair Z 113 (ex Casque): Toulon, under repair Z 114 (ex Lansquenet): Toulon, under repair

Torpedo boats:

TA 9 (ex Bombarde): Piraeus, operational TA 11 (ex L'Iphigénie): Piraeus, operational TA 12 (ex Balliste): Piraeus, operational TA 13 (ex La Bayonnaise): Piraeus, operational

TA 14 (ex Cassiopea): La Spezia, operational* TA 15 (ex Partenope): La Spezia, operational* TA 16 (ex Lira): La Spezia, operational*

TA 17 (ex Pegaso): Genua, operational* TA 18 (ex Procione): La Spezia, operational*

TA 19 (ex Impetuoso): La Spezia, operational* TA 20 (ex Impavido): Piraeus, operational TA 21 (ex Ghibli): La Spezia, operational* TA 22 (ex Intrebito): Genua, operational* TA 23 (ex Ardito): Piraeus, operational

TA 24 (ex Pegaso): La Spezia, operational* TA 25 (ex Procione): La Spezia, operational* TA 26 (ex Orione): La Spezia, operational* TA 27 (ex Orsa): La Spezia, operational*

TA 28 (ex Arturo): Genua, under completition TA 29 (ex Eridiano): Genua, under completition TA 30 (ex Dragone: Genua, under completition TA 31 (ex Auriga): Genua, under completition TA 32 (ex Rigel): Genua, under completition TA 33 (ex Balestra): Fiume, under construction TA 34 (ex Fionda): Fiume, under completition TA 35 (ex Spica): Fiume, under completition TA 36 (ex Stella Polare): Fiume, under completition TA 37 (ex Gladio): Fiume, under completition TA 38 (ex Spada): Triest, under completition TA 39 (ex Daga): Triest, under completition TA 40 (ex Pugnale): Triest, under completition TA 41 (ex Lancia): Triest, under completition TA 42 (ex Alabarda): Triest, under completition

* Ships not totally manned

Battle of Vella Lavella, October 6th/7th 1943

Kaigun Shosho (rear admiral) Tanaka Raizo was again commanding a group of destroyers. He had himself not really believed that. Because he had problems with the Admiralty, he got a post at land. But now he was back. He commanded 9 Japanese destroyers again, Fumutsuki, Yatsukaze, Yunagi, Akigumo, Isokaze, Kazegumo, Yugumo, Shigure and Samidare. Like about half a year ago, when his Tokyo Express could teach the Yankees a lesson. But this time he would have to evacuate soldiers and not reenforce them. Unfortunately the Eastern Solomons had to be given up. So his destroyers and a group of smaller ships on another route would do this task. At 22.30 they remarked a group of three US destroyer, which engaged them at once. Yugumo, the lead ship, was hit in the steering and then torpedoed. However, shortly begore she got her Long Lance torpedoes away. One destroyer, USS Chevalier, which collided with the USS O'Bannon. That destroyer was already disabled by gunfire. USS Selfridge, the third destroyer, was still attacking when she was hit by another torpedo. Tanaka got to know three other contacts were nearing from north. Instead of retreating he ordered to attack them. In the next fifteen minutes, until the forces clashed, the three damaged US destroyer were finished off. Then the first destroyer, USS Ralph Talbot came in range. The Japanese concentrated their fire on this target and disabled here, too. USS Taylor was hit by yet another torpedo, when she tried to make a torpedo run on her own. That torpedo cut her in half. USS La Valette was able to avoid the torpedoes and retreated. The Japanese had lost a destroyer and three further were damaged. USS Ralph Talbot was finally finished off by a côup de grâce. Tanaka then went to the rendezvous points, only to see the other group was already there. So he retreated with his ships. He thought, that this was a good fight. This time the USN had splitted their forces. Next time it would be not so easy...

______

Tokyo, October 6th, 1943

Only a few hours ago Yamashita Tomoyuki and Yamamoto Isoroku met secretly in a shrine. Rikogun Taisho (General) Yamashita had fallen in disgrace with his enemy Tojo. So he commanded the in Mandschukuo. Today, he was at Tokyo to meet the emperor. However, this meeting was postponed. Indeed Yamamoto had arranged this possibility.

Yamamoto: Nice to see you.

Yamashita: You, too. It has been a while.

Yamamoto: How is life at the Russian border?

Yamashita: Boring. And I want to attack the enemy. But this idiot Tojo is banning me. And he looses the war!

Yamamoto: Yes, indeed. How do you see our position?

Yamashita: In and Burma we are stalled. The Allies will beat us there and drive us back. We are way too few. There are too many of them. And in the Pacific we are already retreating.

Yamamoto: Hai! And we are producing not enough.

Yamashita: Hai!

Yamamoto: So we need to do something?

Yamashita: What do you mean?

Yamamoto: At first I made changes for the navy. I pressed for the new A7M fighter. And I ordered trainings missions in the Sea of Japan for our carriers. I also consider an escort system.

Yamashita: I fear, that's not enough.

Yamamoto: Of course, not.

Yamashita: I meant the political aspect.

Yamamoto: That's clear. But we can't purge them nor can we do it like they did in Germany.

Yamashita: Of course, not. However, we must act.

Yamamoto: Hai. But therefore we need the war party discredited.

Yamashita: They are scum! They don't have any honour! They commit attrocities and racism. Or they support it.

Yamamoto: They are our doom.

Yamashita: Hai!

Yamamoto: We need them discredited and we need a victory on our own.

Yamashita: Hai! And we need help.

Yamamoto: Hai! I have already talked to Fuchida. He supports us.

Yamashita: Good. I also know some officers.

Yamamoto: There is also another severe problem. It seems the US cracked our code system!

Yamashita: How?

Yamamoto: I don't know. Someone told me about it.

Yamashita: Who?

Yamamoto: Doit-su!

Yamamoto: The Germans?

Yamamoto: Hai! They believe it, as their system was cracked. And our's is very similar.

Yamashita: Hai! We need a proof!

Yamamoto: Hai! I already have ordered a flight to the front and the exact route given via code. If it is intercepted...

Yamashita: ...we know the code is not safe! Well... We could make them fly with this machine. Looking at the front. The emperor can propose that. And you miss the plane, somehow.

Yamamoto: Then we would only get rid about some of them.

Yamashita: True. But the militarists are then weakened. Another defeat somewhere else...

Yamamoto: ...and they are out of the business!

Yamashita: Hai! But please only mention that you're flying. The Yankees might then not to dare that.

Yamamoto: Hai!

Both left soon after the building secretly. ______

On October 31st a Ki 57 transport plane was shot down by US P-38 Lightning fighters off New Ireland. On this plane Prime minister Tojo as well as some other members of his cabinet died.

Off Crimean Peninsula, October 6th 1943

It was the dawning of October 6th. Captain 2nd Grade Negoda stood on the of the destroyer leader Kharkow. His ship and the destroyer Besposhchadny and Sposobny had bombarded . However, only little damages occured and the flotilla had to fight the 1st Schnellboot flotilla in the night. No sides could damage the other. He was tired and wished to go sleeping, when a plane was reported. He could watch it from his binoculars. A German Ar 196 reconaissance plane.

He knew what this meant. The Germans would soon come with their bombers! So no sleeping this day. Or eternal sleeping...

And he was right. About one hour later the air sireens rang. There he could see the emeny. Stukas! Indeed the IIIrd group of Stukageschawder 3 under Major Hamester was attacking his ships. And soon he knew, what ship they targetted- his!

The ship shook when it was hit. Negoda soon got a damage report. The ship was damaged heavily and disabled. They could not much more. So Sposobny was ordered to tow the ship.

Soon after the Germans came again. This time all three ships were hit. Sposobny was only slightly damaged. But this time also Besposhchadny was disabled. The leaks could be dealt with, but he had now two ships being disabled. So Sposobny tried to tow both ships, one after the other.

But the Germans had smelled blood. And the ships were an easy prey for the Stukas. They attacked again. Besposhchadny and Kharkow were both hit again. Negoda could now see, how Besposhchadny sank bow first. But soon he also got a new damage report. Also Kharkow was sinking. The leaks were now way too great to deal with this.

Negoda cursed and ordered to leave the ship. Sposobny was now there to rescue the survivors of the ships being sinking. But for a fourth time the Stukas came back. With no mercy they attacked also the last Soviet destroyer still swimming in this area of the Black Sea. Sposobny was sunk as well.

When hearing about the result Stalin was furious and ordered not to use destroyers and bigger ships without his own permission.

The New York Times, October 7th 1943

Quote:

Why are we still at war with Germany? by Jonas Quinn*

Why we are still at war with Germany? This question I had to answer myself. The Germans had started this war. Yes. They have killed many innocent people. Yes. But that were the Nazi government being responsible. But they are no longer at the power and Hitler is dead. Despite this the US does not recognize the German government. They are officially a "band of traitors and murderers". That is interesting, as they killed a dictator, who was one of the most terrible men since Gengis Khan. So what is now the reason still to fight? Are they still killing people? What is the true situation in Germany?

Because this was the most important question in relation to the topic I tried to do the impossible. I tried to go to Germany as reporter of the New York Times. And I was successful.

However, it was an Odyssey and that would be worth an article or even a book on the own. I went at first to Spain. Despite one submarine alert nothing happened. In Madrid I went to the German embassy and asked for a visum. I indeed had little hopes. Indeed I thought, I must be crazy for doing such a voyage! For nothing. Well, I could then have made some days holiday in Spain. But for that I had little time.

After three days I got the permission. Signed by chancellor Goerdeler himself. And with a ticket to Berlin Tempelhof. With the Luft Hansa I started from Madrid and landed in Berlin. The flight was exciting as over France a US plane tried to shoot the Fw 200 down. However, a German fighter could drive him away. Unfortunately I don't know the fate of the US fighter pilot.

After landing in Berlin on August 15th, I met my "assistant". Heinz Müller from Stettin. He was my bodyguard as well as assistant and translator. And a person who also make sure I did not see too many secret things. However, to my surprise, I was allowed to talk to everyone I wanted to. There was no censorship. Well, only military aspects I wasn't allowed to ask.

My first interview partner was minister Leber. He is member of the SPD and minister for inner affairs. The SPD is a socialist party and part of the government, which is indeed a great coalition. He was very eloquent and told me, what had happened and what is still to do and asked me, why the US don't want to make peace.

He told me, the Germans had removed the Nazis and liberated all KZs and Ghettos. All inmates were allowed to go home, their homes were given back. If that wasn't possible, however, it was tried to find a new home, which was problematic as there were also many victims of bombing raids. He was the opinion that attacking only civilians was a crime.

After that I talked to the chairman of the organisation of the victims of the Nazi system, Heinz Galinski. He told us, that the Nazi leaders are being detained and wait for their trial. It seems the persecutors are still looking into the files and need time to prepare. When I asked him, what the Germans do for the Jews, he told us the very same what Leber said. Over one billion Reichsmark is spent to build new homes for the Jews, who had lost their homes. However, it will need some time until the buildings are ready. And the Allied bombing campaign is also not helpful either. The German government, he said, has also said, it would support a Jewish state. However, he would not go away.

The next day I was on my way to western Germany, when suddenly the car broke. When we looked outside after the motor, we could see several planes fighting in the air. A US bomber crashed into the ground about a mile near to us. Then we saw a man coming down with a parachute. It turned to be Captain Fritz Müller of the Luftwaffe. I could talk to him and get the information he and his pilots had attacked the US bombers heading for Schweinfurt, as we later got to know. He and his unit claimed several planes shot down. He invited me, although being an American, to meet him and his men in the next village. There a small "Kneipe" would be.

Only a little later he was flying away with a liaison aircraft, which landed on the field. There was also a medic inside. Before it got off, we went to the place, where the US plane was downed. There was no chance for the crew, as we all had feared. So we left the place. A little later we were picked up by a Wehrmacht truck, who moved us to the next civilian work shop. In this village I met also the Captain and his crew later. I made some photos, however, the film was confiscated. It was nevertheless promised to give it back once peace is there again.

I had some doubts in celebrating with enemy pilots, who just killed US pilots. But that did not mind. Indeed there was a US lieutenant with them. Lt. Archibald Randolph Jones, Jr. from Boston, . He was a bomber pilot, who had to bail out. He was captured and would come to a PoW camp somewhere in Germany later. But before they would celebrate. Something like this reminded me on the times of the Great War.

The next day I had a hangover. Man, this schnaps is dangerous! However, I was stranded in this small village, as the car would not be ready until tomorrow. I could go away with a taxi or one of the farmers, but I decided to stay and have a look on the countryside life. And it would not be very different from country life in the US. And you didn't see anything from the war.

There I met an old woman, who wore black. Her husband had died in ww1 and of her three sons one is missing at Stalingrad and one was shot down a few weeks ago in his fighter plane over Africa. And the third is serving on a minesweeper. She fears to lose him, too.

When I arrived in Gelsenkirchen I found many bombed homes, but the factories and mines working. The same was true for Hamburg, where the yards were working busily on new Uboats. And with everyone I could talk there is no one, who gave up morale. Indeed in the cities bombed morale was greater than in the small village not hurt. That's why I am convinced, that this campaign will fail. Especially after surviving one of the British night attacks in a bunker. However, the Germans now don't fight for peace, but survival. It was an idiocy to publish this Morgenthau plan. As now the German people is fighting for survival. Why shall we deny them their right of liberty? Their right to live? Their right to find their luck? The rights we all have, we all desire and we all want to defend? No, on this way a people only will fight to the last. But nearly everyone wants peace. They already asked for it. Real Nazis I never saw. Although they exist they are now forced to shut up. While the other political voices are loud again.

I was also there in a election bureau and at the counting of the votes. Everything was okay. There was no problem. That was a fair election. In some states in the US it would not have been so good.

So in the end I can't find an answer for this question.

Jonas Quinn

* This is a pseudonym. The author wants to upkeep his secrecy.

______

On October 8th the bureaus of the New York Times were searched by the FBI to find out, who Jonas Quinn is. Three reporters were arrested. On October 9th all great US newspapers protested. The next day the first demonstrations happened. They were banned. However, on October 11th the reporters were set free.

Moscow, October 15th 1943

Stalin is in his rooms in the Kremlin. He had ordered Schukow, Berija and Molotow to himself. He started, when all had arrived.

Stalin: What's the situation at the front?

Schukow: We have replaced the losses we had from the last offensive. The units are as strong as we were before. However, most of these soldiers have little experiences.

Stalin: That doesn't matter. They get experience soon enough.

Schukow: But we will lose many soldiers.

Stalin: The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a matter of statistics.

Schukow: Our supply situation is earnest. We are just able to hold the front. For offensive actions I need more trains and trucks. Also production must be higher.

Stalin: It doesn't matter how many soldiers we lose. We only need to win. And the Germans are nearly beaten.

Schukow: Woschd?

Stalin: After our last offensive the Germans did only attack at Kursk and then they stopped. They are even more exhausted than we. If we break through at only one position, we will be victorious. We can route them all then.

Schukow: So we attack at only one place?

Stalin: Exactly.

Schukow: And where.

Stalin: What did Werther say?

Berija: Werther says, that here, at Kursk, are the strongest points of defence. Here, at Smolensk are the White Russian forces and here is the weakest point. Again.

Stalin: Yes. Again. And I say, Werther was captured! He is burnt as source. That is only a deinformation campaign!

Berija: Woschd, our intelligence says...

Stalin: Your intelligence is bull shit! Don't you see? It is a trap. Here is the weakest point. At Kursk. And here we will attack!

Schukow: Da, woschd.

Stalin: However, we need help. We need supplies. And we need them soon. Molotow, tell the western snakes, we need them urgently. They shall come with that on November 15th latest. As then we start.

Molotow: Da woschd.

Stalin: Also: talk to the contact men in the resistance movements. They need to make an uprising. That will keep the Germans busy and we will crush them.

Molotow: But we would not be there in time to liberate them.

Stalin: I don't have the will to do so. They shall die. Then we're getting rid of the local political groups as well. Then only the party will survive.

Molotow: Understood. But I doubt they will act.

Stalin: They must! Otherwise it is treachery. Tell them!

Molotow: Da.

Stalin: Also prepare my arrival at Teheran. Schukow, I want to get at last there the news about the victory.

Schukow: Da.

Stalin: Good! You, Schukow, and Konew will get the command of a whole front each. And you will both attack at Kursk.

Schukow: Da.

After some more plannings the three depart and go to Berija's bureau in the Sobljanka prison. Officially to give them the newest intelligence data.

Berija: Towarischt Schukow, Wjatscheslaw Michailowitsch talked to you already?

Molotow and Schukow nod.

Berija: How is the situation?

Schukow: It is so, how I said. However, if I break through the lines there, I fear all of my supplies are depleted. We have less and less transportation vehicles. And we need to be aware about the counter strikes. If we do it like the last time we will be crushed. And there are more problems. The men are inexperienced. The fuel is low. We have still some reserves, but if we indeed break through we might be soon without fuel. If the Allies deliver in time, the plan might work.

Berija: Indeed we have sources, who tell us that this is the strongest point. And that the Germans have a new tank.

Schukow: Yes, I know. But I am still confident we can make it.

Molotow: And if not?

Schukow: Then we are in severe troubles. As we need so many people repairing the rail lines or the ways or fighters needed for defense, we might soon be out of men. If we again have severe losses, we have severe troubles.

Berija: Da. Will you help us with your forces?

Schukow: If that happens, yes. Let's hope, we don't need to do so.

Berija: Da.

Operation Tunnel, October 21st 1943

Captain Voelcker on HMS Charybdis stood on the bridge of the light cruiser HMS Charybdis. He looked into the dark. He was commanding not only the light cruiser, but also the destroyers HMS Grenville and HMS Rocket as well as the destroyer escorts HMS Limbourne, HMS Wensleyday, HMS Talybont and HMS Stevenstone. He had the task to intercept the Münsterland, a German blockade runner from Japan. Betchley Park had given notice about this ships coming home with a precious cargo.

His adversary was Fregattenkapitän (Commander) Franz Kohlauf and his 4th torpedo boat flotilla of five Elbing class torpedo boats.

Both sides were acting to their rules of combat.

In the night of October 21st the British RADAR made contact with the German ships. They neared in one column. Voelcker gave the order to maintain the line and to fire star shells to illuminate the Germans.

Kohlauf was on the other hand also warned. Even before the first star shells were fired, German hydrophones and RADAR had detected the enemy as well. He at once ordered his ships to launch all torpedoes but not fire with the 4 10,5 cm guns each ship had.

So 30 G7a torpedoes were launched. The German ships changed the course and retreated.

The first victim was HMS Charybdis. She was hit by two torpedoes, each one of T 23 and T 27. She sank very quickly. Captain Voelcker and 431 officers and men were lost. HMS Rocket was also hit by a torpedo. She sank slowly. HMS Grenville had the bad luck to explode after being hit by two eels. HMS Limbourne was badly damaged by an eel of T 22 and disabled. The other Hunt class destroyer could evade the torpedo attack and then retreated with fast speed. Only after some time, after they were sure no one followed them, they came back. But for most soldiers, who survived the sinkings, it was way too late as the water was too cold.

They found however HMS Limbourne. When a towing attempt failed, the survivors were taken on board of the British ships and the wrecked ship was sunk by two torpedoes and artillery of HMS Talybond.

The Germans had not lost anything. No ship was hit. Indeed Münsterland could reach port savely. Kohlauf had masterly used his boats to beat a superior enemy, who was indeed very vulnerable to such massive torpedo attacks. Kohlauf was promoted to captain and got the Knight's Cross for his actions.

For the British it was yet another defeat against the German destroyers and torpedo boats in the Channel area.

Naples, October 28th 1943

HQ of General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Patton is entering the bureau of Eisenhower.

Eisenhower: Good that you're here I need to talk to you.

Patton: Yes, sir?

Eisenhower: It might become a problem for you?

Patton: What do you mean?

Eisenhower: The slabbing of this private Kuhl.

Patton: That was nothing. I thought he only played being sick. I had no idea that he had malaria. General Huebner had just told me, many soldiers were acting this way. I already appologized.

Eisenhower: I know. But there might come trouble.

Patton: I always had trouble. And not only with the enemy. Indeed sometimes less with the enemy and more with our so called politicians.

Eisenhower: And that's the problem.

Patton: They are not fighting. They are only sitting in their chairs at home and tell someone how to lead!

Eisenhower: Yes. And unfortunately you make it easy to them.

Patton: Me? I...

Eisenhower: Yes, you. I will do my very best. But it might be wise to send you away from the front.

Patton: You can't...

Eisenhower: I can and perhaps I have to, if the situation becomes more serious. It is your career, which is in danger.

Patton: That's nothing new for me.

Eisenhower: No. But now it might be critical. Look, I can't see into the future. Right now you can go back to the front. If this is changing, I will give you a command in the rear for some months. And this will be an order!

Patton sighed.

Eisenhower: You can come back...

The telephone rang.

Eisenhower: Ah, Admiral Nimitz... Yes, it was decided to... We know, you need the ships but... Well, that are no toy ships here, even if they are Italian ships... No... Yes, but... We needed time to prepare... Yes, we will try to eliminate them soon. But... As long as these ships exist I can't send you the ships back. No,... Yes, we will conduct more... Yes,...... bye.

Eisenhower sighs.

Patton: Who was that?

Eisenhower: Nimitz. He was as furious as I was.

Patton loughs: Yes, and why?

Eisenhower: It is the Italian fleet. Because of our warship losses we needed to replace them. And these replacements were determined for the Pacific Ocean. They are now heading to Gibraltar. And we had lost taking this part of Italy three battleships, four fleet carrier and three escort carrier sunk, and another battleship, light carrier and escort carrier damaged. That means from then on we had no ship capable to match the Italian navy now in the hands of the Germans. And do you think they won't use them?

Patton: Of course these Kraut sons of bitches will do so!

Eisenhower: Indeed. And then there is the problem of the French navy, which is also in German hads. But they are mostly damaged- in contrast to the Italian ships.

Patton: Then we need to sink them.

Eisenhower: Yes. Otherwise an invasion in the back of the Germans can't take place.

Patton: I know. Just now I had ordered the 27th attack on a hill. I hope we will be able to break through this time. God damn Italy. Land of hills. Best territory to defend, but for attacks? No way.

Eisenhower: Yes. We didn't make any progress. That's why we need to bomb the enemy ships. But that won't be easy.

Patton: I would use all planes of the air forces.

Eisenhower: I know. But it will be costly nevertheless.

Patton: Ask the damn spaghettis if they can do something.

Eisenhower: There are not so many of them, as most units were disarmed and captured before we could land. Anyway, until these ships are not out of action, I can't send the ships to Nimitz.

Patton: What ships are that?

Eisenhower: The battleships USS South Dakota, USS Alabama, USS New and USS Maryland. USS New York and USS Wyoming are training vessels, while USS and USS Arkansas are used in the Atlantic. So Nimitz still has USS Massachusetts, USS Alabama, USS North Carolina, USS , USS New Mexico, USS Idaho and USS Mississippi. USS Washington was loaned to the Soviet.

Patton: Communistic bastards. I would not sell them anything!

Eisenhower: And Nimitz loses USS Hornet and USS Lexington, which will be assigned to us once ready, as well as USS intrepid, which is also loaned to the Soviets. Until then we get the seven Independence class carrier.

Patton: So Nimitz has only four fleet carrier right now?

Eisenhower: Yes.

Patton: I know, why he is so pissed off.

Eisenhower: Yes. He has to wait for other ships. Or to deal with what he has. And we can only help him by sinking the German fleet.

Patton: You mean the Italian fleet?

Eisenhower: Yes. At least the Krauts are controlling them.

Patton: Then sink these damn ships!

Eisenhower: I'll do my very best.

Patton: I have to go to see to my men. Or is there anything else to discuss?

Eisenhower: No. You are dismissed. And Patton...

Patton: Yes?

Eisenhower: Beat some German. Not OUR men!

Patton: Yes, I will do so.

Paris, Elysée Palace, October 29th 1943

After over three years a French president returned to Paris. When Pétain and Laval resigned two days earlier, he had taken the duty to become president of the French Republic. Éduard Daladier had decided to act more as a symbol, while Léon Blum became prime minister and foreign minister and would lead the government. However, he, Blum and the new minister of defense André le Troquer met in the Elysée palace.

Daladier: Léon, you are coming from a talk with von der Schulenburg. What did he say?

Blum: Well, he already said, that if the Allies are recognizing the neutrality they would retreat.

Daladier: But I don't think they would.

Blum: Or would say yes, only to invade nevertheless.

Daladier: I suppose he thinks the very same?

Blum: Yes.

Daladier: And?

Blum: Well, he said, then the French would never be a problem for Germany again.

Daladier: Only if they win.

Blum: Do you want to risk that?

Daladier: Er?

Blum: I mean we should also look on the treaty. Indeed Schulenburg has already said again, if France would stay rather friendly there could be changes with the treaty.

Troquer: As signs of good will they already let us reside here. They also gave us three already repaired vessels back, the destroyer leaders Panthère, Lion and Valmy. Also Toulon as base is also to be returned tomorrow. It will be completely ours again.

Daladier: And the ships the Germans want?

Troquer: They will be repaired and delivered.

Blum: It seems the Germans won't demand more, but also would be willing to lift some demandings.

Daladier: And if we played a wrong game?

Blum: Then we would lose every territory once belonged to Germany, including the HRE, our colonies, our whole fleet, would maintain about 75.000 soldiers, ...

Daladier: I got it.

Blum: We must be very careful.

Daladier: Yes. At first we have to play after the German rules- and then we'll see.

Blum: Before I arrived here, I ordered a message to all belligerent parties and declared we will be neutral in this war. Furthermore we demanded the retreat of all foreign troops from French soil and the return of all French forces home. Now we will see, what is happening.

______

London, October 30th 1943, HQ of the Free French Forces

Général Charles de Gaulle declared:

Quote:

There is no new government in France. It is a new puppet of the Germans. The only legitime government is the French government in exile in London. All French acting willingly for this "government" shall be punished as traitors. The fight is going on.

De Gaulle ______

London, Downing Street 10, October 30th 1943

Churchill is speaking to Montgomery, who just arrived:

Churchill: So the French have a new government?

Monty: Yes.

Churchill: I will order soon to ignore them.

Monty: I heard de Gaulle demanded the recognition as French government.

Churchill: I try to ignore him as well. We won't do anything.

Monty: Didn't the French demand the return of their colonies as well as the retreat of all foreign troops?

Churchill: Yes. But I have made an answer, that we won't do so until there are German forces in France. Before we even recognize the French government.

Monty: Then you should give an order, not to attack French targets.

Churchill: I did so. Let's see, what will happen.

______

Washington, White House, November 1st 1943

Quote:

The US government declares: The only French government to be recognized is the government under General de Gaulle in London.

Roosevelt ______

London, Downing Street 10, later that day

Churchill crying into the telephone: Give me President Roosevelt at once...

Allied Capital Ships

United Kingdom

Battleships

HMS Barham , sunk 25.11.1941 by U-331 HMS Malaya Reserve in Faslane, no longer operational HMS Queen Elizabeth, Eastern Fleet HMS Valiant , sunk 12.09.1943 by Luftwaffe HMS Warspite , sunk 10.09.1943 by Luftwaffe

HMS Ramilies, Soviet Archangelsk HMS Resolution, Indian Ocean HMS Revenge , Reserve, no longer operational HMS Royal Oak , sunk 14.10.1939 by U-47 HMS Royal Sovereign , Great Britain, sunk by Marineflieger, 31.03.1944

HMS Nelson , Great Britain HMS Rodney , Great Britain, both sunk by torpedo boats and destroyers off Normandy

HMS King George V , sunk 12.09.1943 by Luftwaffe HMS Prince of Wales , sunk 10.12.1941 by Japanese planes HMS Duke of York, Great Britain HMS Anson , sunk by Tirpitz, 19.11.1943 HMS Howe, under repair, Great Britain, mid 1944

HMS Vanguard, under construction, mid 1946

Carrier

HMS Argus, active as training vessel, not ready for combat

HMS Eagle , sunk 11.08.1942 by U-73

HMS Hermes , sunk 09.04.1942 by Japanese CV planes

HMS Furious, Great Britain sunk 31.03.1944 by SMS Graf Zeppelin carrier wing

HMS Courageous , sunk 17.09.1939 by U-29 HMS Glorious , sunk 08.06.1940 by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau

HMS Ark Royal , sunk 14.11.1941 by U-81

HMS Illustrious, Great Britain , sunk 31.03.1944 by Marineflieger HMS V ictorious , sunk 19.11.1943 by U-600 HMS Formidable , sunk 12.06.1943 by Luftwaffe

HMS Indomitable , sunk 10.07.1943 by U-431

HMS Implacable, Great Britain, in construction, August 1944 HMS Indefatigable, Great Britain, in construction, May 1944

HMS Audacious, Great Britain, in construction, mid 1948 HMS Ark Royal, Great Britain, in construction, 1949

HMS Unicorn, Great Britain, in repair, mid 1944

Colossus class CVL: 10 being built, 1 ready in end of 1944, 6 in 1945, 3 in 1946

Majestic class CVL: 6 being built, 1947/1948

Centaur class CVL: 3 to be laid down in 1944

41 CVE in service, 6 sunk, 1 ready in

HMS Battler, HMS Attacker, HMS Hunter sunk by Luftwaffe 12.09.1943 HMS Stalker, sunk by U-968

United States of America

Battleships

USS Wyoming, , USA USS Arkansas , USA, Atlantic, sunk by Marineflieger, 31.03.1944

USS New York, training ship, USA USS Texas , USA, Atlantic, sunk by S-Boats off Normandy, 06.06.1944

USS Nevada, USA, under refit, early 1944 USS Oklahoma , sunk 07.12.1941 by Japanese CV planes

USS Pennsylvania , sunk 12.05.1943 by I-31 USS Arizona , sunk 07.12.1941 by Japanese CV planes

USS New Mexico, Pacific USS Mississippi, Pacific USS Idaho, Pacific

USS , Pacific USS California, Pacific

USS Colorado, Pacific USS Maryland, Pacific USS West Virginia, Mediterranean

USS North Carolina, Pacific USS Washington, Soviet Murmansk

USS South Dakota , Pacific, sunk by Japanese CV planes off Marianas USS Indiana, Pacific USS Massachusetts, Mediterranean USS Alabama, Mediterranean

USS Iowa, Pacific USS , Mediterranean USS Missouri, ready mid 1944 USS Wisconsin, ready mid 1944 USS Illinois, on stocks USS Kentucky, on stocks

USS Alaska, ready mid 1944 USS , ready mid 1944 USS , ready mid 1946

Carrier

USS Lexington , sunk 08.05.1941 by Japanese CV planes USS Saratoga, Pacific

USS Ranger, training ship, USA

USS Yorktown , sunk 07.06.1942 by Japanese CV planes USS Enterprise, Pacific USS Hornet , sunk 24.10.1942 by Japanese CV planes

USS Wasp , sunk 15.09.1942 by I-19

USS Essex , sunk 12.09.1943 by Luftwaffe USS Yorktown , sunk 12.09.1943 by Luftwaffe USS Intrepid, Soviet Stalin USS Hornet, USA USS Franklin, ready January 1944 USS Ticonderoga, Ready May 1944 USS Randolph, ready October 1944 USS Lexington, Pacific USS Bunker Hill, Pacific USS Wasp, USA USS Hancock, ready April 1944 USS Bennington , ready August 1944, sunk by Japanese CV planes off Marianas USS Boxer, ready April 1945 USS Bonne Homme Richard, ready November 1944 USS Crown Point, ready March 1946, to be laid down in 1944 USS Kearsarge, ready July 1946, to be laid down in 1944 USS Oriskany, ready March 1947, to be laid down in 1944 USS Rerpisal, ready March 1948, to be laid down in 1944 USS Antietam, ready January 1945 USS Valley Forge, ready November 1945 USS Shangri La, ready September 1944 USS Lake Champlain, ready June 1945 USS CV 40, ready December 1945, to be laid down in 1944 USS CV 45, ready November 1946, to be laid down in 1944 USS CV 46, ready March 1947, to be laid down in 1945 USS CV 47, ready May 1946, to be laid down in 1944

USS Independence, Mediterranean USS Princeton, Mediterranean USS Belleau Wood, Mediterranean all three sunk by Trägergeschwader 186, 22.01.1944 USS Cowpens, Mediterranean USS Monterey, Mediterranean USS Langley, Mediterranean USS Cabot, Mediterranean USS Bataan , USA, sunk by Japanese planes off Marianas USS San Jacinto , ready December 1943, sunk by Japanese CV planes off Marianas

USS Midway, ready September 1945 USS Coral Sea, ready October 1945 USS CVB 43, to be laid down in 1944, ready October 1947

USS , to be laid down in 1944, ready July 1946 USS Wright, be laid down in 1944, ready February 1947

36 CVE ready, 5 in December 1943, 32 in 1944, 11 in 1945, 6 in 1946

USS Card, sunk by U-415, 21.12.1943

Japanese Capital Ships in November 1944

Battleships

Kongo Hiei , sunk by US aircraft, 13.11.1942 Kirishima , sunk by USS Washington, 15.11.1942 Haruna

Fuso Yamashiro

Ise Hyuga

Nagato Mutsu , sunk by internal explosion, 08.06.1943

Yamato Musashi

Carriers

Hosho

Akagi , sunk by US CV planes, 05.06.1942

Kaga , sunk by US CV planes, 04.06.1942

Ryujo , sunk by US CV planes, 24.08.1942

Soryu , sunk by US CV planes, 04.06.1942

Hiryu , sunk by US CV planes, 05.06.1942

Shokaku Zuikaku

Zuiho Shoho , sunk by US CV planes, 07.05.1942

Ryuho

Junyo Hiyo

Taiho

Chitose Chiyoda

Shinano, ready November 1944

Unryu, ready August 1944 Amagi, dito Katsuragi, ready October 1944 Kasagi, ready August 1945 Aso, ready October 1945 Ikoma, ready December 1945

Ibuki, ready October 1945

Taiyo Unyo Chuyo

Kaiyo

Shinyo

London, Downing Street 10, November 1st, 1943

Churchill phoned with Roosevelt on a secure lane.

Churchill: It was a grieve mistake to recognize de Gaulle!

Roosevelt: I can't recognize the new Vichy government.

Churchill: It might have been wiser to do so. We might be able to land in France without resistance.

Roosevelt: That would mean again breaking the neutrality of another country.

Churchill: Not, if we then recognized de Gaulle.

Roosevelt: And the French ultimatum would be answered, a retreat would come after the Germans retreated from France.

Churchill: Exactly. I already send this as answer to Paris.

Roosevelt: Let's see, how they will react. Hmm. I see, it was a mistake to recognize this frog a bit too early.

Churchill: Yes, it was.

Roosevelt: I always didn't like him that much. He was too much a dictator. Not such a nice guy like Joe.

Churchill: Be aware of Stalin!

Roosevelt: No. I trust him. He's very okay.

Churchill: Be aware of him.

After some other topics the call ended. Churchill thought, how naive Roosevelt was sometimes.

Operation Broken Arrow, November 1 1943 - February 14th, 1944, Part 1

When the German troops were taking control over the Italian and French harbours it was clear, the Allies would bomb them to sink the enemy ships. So two fighter wings were sent to La Spezia to defend the city. As well, the Germans stationed there masses of flak guns. Genua and Toulon were not so well defended, but were also not without defenses. Nevertheless after giving Toulon back to the French, most German flak were reinstalled at Genua or La Spezia.

The first attack started in the night to November 1st. A group of Chariots manned by Italians was able to penetrate the defenses of La Spezia and sink the Italian cruiser Bolzano, which was under repair. Other targets were missed. Later Bolzano was raised but scuttled as block ship.

On the very next morning the first Big Week started. 495 US bombers from North Africa were attacking La Spezia. 214 German planes and the flak defended the harbour. 48 bombers were downed. Nevertheless they had hit Preußen (ex Roma) badly. A bomb hit the ammunition chamber, but luckily all ordinance was ashore so that there were no repeating explosions. Also some other ships were hit, but not so badly. Preußen had to be repaired until January.

The next day the US bombers came again. 180 fighters defended the harbour. However, due to fog an low clouds the bombs miss the harbour but hit the city. 36 bombers were downed for 12 German fighters.

The other day only a few bombers made attacks to keep the Germans busy.

The 4th day was the most successful day of the US attacks. Bayern (ex Italia) was hit three times and Sachsen (ex Vineto) twice. Both were out of action until January 1944. KIT 2 (ex Montcucolli) and Pillau (ex Bari ex Pillau) were sunk. While the first could be raised and repaired (until mid 1944), Bari was sunk as block ship. ZIT 9 (ex Oriani), was sunk, too, and became a CTL. Several other ships were hit, but not as heavy. However, 69 bombers were shot down.

The 5th day was directed against Genua. 33 bombers were lost, but not many damages occured.

The 6th day was directed against Venice. Here again heavy flak and fighters demanded their toll. 98 bombers were shot down, the highest toll so far. Therefore Andrea Doria was slightly damaged, but Caio Duilio became a CTL as well as ZIT 6 (ex Dardo).

While this attack was the one with the highest casualities, the most dramatic one occured only one day later. Here 24 bombers were lost. But the target was- Toulon! And it was the day the ultimatum of the French government had ended only a few hours before. The French battleships Provence and Dunkerque, the heavy cruiser Foch and Colbert as well as the destroyer Lynx were destroyed. The German Elsaß (ex Strasbourg) was not hit though. Augsburg (ex Marseillaise) was damaged heavily, SP 6 (ex Mogador) slightly. Coincedentally Panthère, on patrol off Marseilles, was torpedoed and sunk by a British submarine. This lead to a new ultimatum by the French government and finally to the declaration of war by them.

The loss of over 300 bombers lead to an abandoning of the bomber runs for over a months. Then they commenced, but not with such a speed. Indeed La Spezia was attacked 26 times, Genua 12 times, Venice 4 times and Toulon 8 times. The Germans lost the carrier Elbe, ZIT 7, SP 1 and SP 2, the French the destroyer Valmy. Several other ships were hit, but not as badly.

Then came the invasion of Anzio in January 1944.

Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, November 2nd 1943

Operation Cartwheel was the Allied attempt to isolate Rabaul base from Japan. To do so, a number of bases should be captured to check the Japanese. Bougainville, until 1914 a German colony, was one of these bases to conquer. The Empress Augusta Bay was the point of the invasion.

As cover group the USN had there under Rear Admiral Merrill four light cruiser, USS Montpellier, USS , USS Cleveland and USS Columbia, as well as one destroyer squadron, Desron 23 with USS Charles Ausburne, USS Dyson, USS Stanly, USS Claxton, USS Spence, USS Thatcher, USS Converse and USS Foote.

Japanese Vice Admiral Tanaka took himself command over Cruiser Division 5 with the heavy cruiser Myoko, Haguro, the light cruiser Agano and Sendai and the destroyers Damidare, Shiratsuyu, Shigure, Hatsukaze, Naganami and Wakatsuki.

On November 2nd his ships were driving in one line, 3 destroyers leading and behind, in the centre the cruisers. They were nearing the Empress Augusta Bay, when at 2.27 AM the US destroyers made contact by RADAR. They soon decided to attack and indeed they launched 25 torpedoes on the enemy. Then they turned to make yet another torpdo attack. However, USS Foote did not get the order and resumed on her way.

This attack was fruitless as Shigure made contact. Tanaka at once persumed the US destroyers had launched their eels, so he changed his course. The torpedoes missed.

Merrill had seen this manoeuvre and now opened fire with his cruisers. He believed he needed to come nearer and kept the course while firing on the greatest RADAR target, Sendai. And indeed he could hit her several times. Her rudder and the shafts were hit.

At this moment Sendai had already launched 8 torpedoes on her own. And they were well aimed. Two slammed into USS Montpelier, the leading ship. She soon capsized and sank.

At this time Samidare had fired also 8 eels on the enemy, which however missed as they changed the course slightly. She and Shiratsuyu should stay with the burning Sendai.

Soon thereafter Samidare made contact to a lone fast driving ship. At once she launched more torpedoes. One of them hir USS Foote into the ammunition chamber and she exploded and sank, while she was attempting to make contact with her fleet.

Indeed only 20 minutes has passed since the battle started. But the US destroyers were already in a situation, that they could not react any more as effective units due to misunderstandings of orders. So did USS Spence collide with USS Thatcher. She was sliced at one side totally and soon began listing. While it was possible to beach her, she became a total loss.

In the meantime both cruiser forces had lost contact after USS Montpellier was hit. On 3.13 AM Tanaka was able to make contact again, when his flares illuminated the three US light cruiser. His cruisers opened fire. Soon USS Denver was hit mutliple times and a burning wreck. The other ships changed course, although USS Columbia was hit by an 8" shell destroying her bow.

Finally the two US destroyer groups had formed again- only to fire on themselves for five minutes thinking they were enemies. USS Spence, already damaged, was damaged even more. They then got the order to cover the retreat of the cruisers.

In the meantime Tanaka changed the course to attack the transports when he again met the destroyers. USS Spence finally met her fate in this short engagement. The US destroyer retreated once again.

Then they found Sendai and fired on her. She took more damages until the two Japanese destroyers appeared and once again forced the US destroyer to retreat.

Tanaka had finally found his main objective. He attacked the transports. All had to be beached but all but three burnt out. Then he retreated.

Sendai however was doomed. She laid dead in the water and the pumps were ineffective. After the crew was rescued Shiratsuyu scuttled her with a torpedo.

Two US Cruisers and three destroyers were sunk for the loss of one Japanese light cruiser.

Because of this result the US command decides to withdraw her forces on Bougainville. The light cruiser USS Birmingham is sunk by Japanese planes during this operation.

After a first attack on Rabaul with carrier planes was cancelled a second one is conducted but proved to be ineffective. Only Agano is slightly damaged.

______

On November 3rd the Tenno gives following notice:

Quote:

Two days ago our heroic government died. They were murdered by the United States, when their plane was shot down. This assassination attempt can't remain unpunished. However, as new prime minister I appoint Koiso Kuniaki. After the mourning of our government we will take revenge and drive the Allies out of the Pacific Ocean!

Banzai!

French Declaration of War, November 9th 1943

Élysee Palace, November 7th 1943

President Daladier had called for an emergency meeting with the government. Only one hour ago the air strike on Toulon was over. Now the politicians had to discuss.

Daladier: Messieurs, you all know what happened. What do we do now?

Troquer: This was an act of war.

Blum: Unfortunately it was.

Toquer: They knew it was a French base.

Blum: Yes. And today the ultimatum ended.

Daladier: But they answered it. They demand the retreat of the Germans first.

Blum: They would have never done so. And now the Allies attacked us!

An officer comes into the room and gives a notice to Toquer. He reads it an becomes paler.

Toquer: Messieurs, I just got the message that the destroyer Panthère was torpedoed and sunk off Marseilles by an enemy submarine. It seems the enemy boat was in return sunk by a German plane on anti submarine patrol. Messieurs, it seems to be a British submarine.

Daladier: It seems we got the answer of the Allies. They don't recognize our neutrality and will fight us.

Blum: I was ever against a war with the Allies. I ever had hoped, they would win and restore France totally. But for the second time they attacked our fleet. For the second time since Mars el Kebir French soldiers died.

Daladier: So we need to fight the Allies as well?

Blum: If it wasn't a mistake, what is hardly believable...

Troquer: Mistake? It was known that Toulon was our base again. The Panthère had her sides painted with a French flag! No, that wasn't a mistake!

Daladier: Messieurs, we all had the hope to sit here and wait until the Allies win the war. Perhaps declaring war again later on Germany. But it seems this is not possible. It seems, the Allies want war with us again. We were attacked again! The US even recognized de Gaulle as French government. I think we don't have any alternative left than declaring war on the Allies.

Blum: I nearly agree. But we could make a second ultimatum. We demand to be recognized as the only French government, demand damages for the ships sunk and damaged as well as the sailors and workers died or injured and to retreat from all colonies. As well as demand the return of all French ships, men and equipment still fighting on their side.

Daladier: They won't accept.

Blum: Very likely. But then we will show everyone, that we are innocent. And we will not accept anything less!

Daladier: D'accord! What ships and other forces do we have ready?

Trouquer: The battleship Jean Bart and four destroyer as well as some submarines. The other ships need repair. And we need crews to man them. Luckily the Germans have allowed French PoW to return to France. And I think there will be several people volunteering now. Our air force is nearly not existing and we have only a small guard, hardly enough to count as army.

Daladier: We need to rearm as fast as possible!

After some discussion it was decided to act this way. On the very same day, the French government issued this ultimatum:

Quote:

Ultimatum

The French government issues this ultimatum to the United States of America, the and their Allies:

1. The French government in Paris is recognized as the only legitime government of France.

2. The Allies excuse theirselves for the attacks on November 7th on Toulon and on the destroyer Panthère. They will pay damages for these attacks.

3. All French colonies are to be evacuated from French forces.

4. All French soldiers fighting still under the so called free French flag are to be returned to France with their equipment.

Should the demandings not be fulfilled totally until November 9th 1943, 09.00 AM CET, the French government will be forced to take further steps.

Blum ______

London, Downing Street 10, later that day

Churchill calls Roosevelt on a secure lane:

Churchill: Who the hell has ordered these attacks?

Roosevelt: That must have been Sir Arthur Tedder, as he is commander of all air forces in the Med.

Churchill is silent, after a minute: Oh, damn! It seems, we're at war with France, too.

Roosevelt: We only recognized de Gaulle.

Churchill: You did so. But... Well, we need to cope with this situation. Unfortunately we didn't give the order not to attack targets in France. And we gave the order to destroy the German ships. So it was indeed my mistake not doing so.

Roosevelt: Shall we accept the ultimatum?

Churchill: Hell, no!

Roosevelt: Then we are at war with France, too.

Chruchill: Yes.

______

On November 9th 1943 at 9.01 AM CET the French government declared war on the United Kingdom and the United States. In return the governments in Exile of Poland, , Norway, Netherlands, the governments of , Mexico and finally also Stalin declared war on France, too.

The very same day the French Republic and the German Reich signed a preliminary alliance.

On November 10 before dawn, the French battleship Richelieu arrived at Toulon to rejoin the French government. The base of Dakar also switched sides again. The three cruiser there slipped away to cause some troubles in the South Atlantic before finally arriving at Bordeaux on December 31st.

The light cruiser Émile Bertin left and shelled the Curacao oil refineries. After one week of causing havoc in the , including destroing some oil platforms and bombarding Corpus Christi, she was sunk after an air strike. The oil refineries were out of action for six months, and 12 tanker with over 100.000 grt were sunk by her.

Because of this all Free French forces were to be disarmed. In Italy most forces deserted to the Germans. Also the destroyer escort La Combattante managed it to reach Cherbourg. As did several pilots with their planes.

Operation Blizzard November 15th-December 10th, Part 1

Operation Blizzard was the first major winter offensive of the Soviets in this season. For this task five fronts were ordered to attack near Smolensk. They were commanded mainly by three men, Rokossowsky in the North, Zhukow in the centre and Konew in the south.

The Soviets had initially 2.650.000 men, 2.400 tanks, 40.000 guns and 2.100 aircraft for this mission. The Germans had 1.250.000 men, 2.200 tanks, 14.000 guns and 2.000 aircraft for this mission.

The German forces were mainly the so called Heeresgruppe Totenkopf, which mainly was formed from the former SS units and was officially named Heeresgruppe Heinrici, the Heeresgruppe Nord and Heeresgruppe Mitte were in the North and South.

Main target was the Totenkopf Heeresgruppe. They had taken the place of the White Russian Army, which was now in the South guarding the Pripjet swamps, which were now frozen resp. beginning to freeze. Stalin got the information that this Heeresgruppe was the strongest of all. All men had the new StG 43 assault rifle, a new anti tank weapon and enough Pak, Flak and artillery as well as a new tanks available. Stalin nevertheless decided to attack here, as he believed there was the weakest point. He didn't trust his super spy Werther any more. Although his generals adviced him not to attack there, he did so, although he initially favoured other places, like the Ukrainian industry area.

Stalin had a majority there, but sill had to face several problems. The first one was the low quality of pilots and the effective draw in the number of planes. Indeed the Germans had slightly more fighters than the Soviets. The next problem was the lack of T-34 tanks. Although he had ordered every tank available to here, there were hardly any modern tanks left for the other places of the front. The Soviet transportation system was in severe problems. Because of the German bombing campaign many trains and railways were hit. Although production capabilities had just reached the level of January, most of them could not be used, as there was little electrical power, lacks of resources and lacks of transporting armaments and supplies to the front. Furthermore a famine could happen in the late winter, if the problems are not solved. The next problem was repairing the transportation ways. You needed many people doing so. They were missing at the front and in the factories. And although Russia had still many numbers of people, the possible conscript reserve was declining. Especially the lack of trained officers and NCOs was now to see everywhere. A fighter pilot was now sent to the front after 8 flight hours and 14 days of training. Many of them died before they really were able to master their machines.

Heinrici had built up defences for the last three months. Obstacles, mines, trenches and so on. Zhukow ordered for 5.00 AM on November 15th all the 40.000 guns to fire for three hours on the first two lines. He knew, he had spent then most artillery ammunition and would need to wait for new one, but he estimated that it would be enough to break through the lines. After that the tanks would attack followed closely by infantry and supported by the Red Air Force.

November 15th was also chosen as date as on November 22nd a huge convoy of 50 ships loaded with supplies would arrive in the harbours of the north. That meant they were at the front within one week. The supplies were regarded enough for three weeks.

Also a massive landing of 15.000 parachuters was planned to take strategic points in the rear.

Partisan activity should reach a high level as well as an uprising of the Poles.

On November 15th it seemed Hell broke out for the Germans on 5.00 AM. 40.000 guns fired for three hours on the first two lines on a front of about 200 km. On 8.00 AM the fire stopped. Then the real assault came.

The first wave got little resistance at first and Zhukow believed, his plan succeeded. Then the first soldiers reached the first line. And found it empty. Only some puppets were there. Or mostly the rests of them. Then some of the soldiers died in booby traps. And soon hell began for the Soviet soldiers. So the Third Battle of Smolensk began. 14.000 German guns opened fire. German bombers appeared and dropped their paylaod on the Red Army. Then the Germans fired from the third line. And the Soviets still attacked.

Of the first wave nobody reached the third line. Artillery, mortars and MGs, together with bombs, made it impossible. In the air the Luftwaffe soon controlled the skies. Nevertheless the Soviets attacked.

The first day would be the most deadly day in history of armed forces to this day. 156.899 Soviet soldiers were reported dead or missing. 301 tanks were destroyed, 356 Soviet planes were shot down, another 68 irreparably damaged. The Germans lost 9.009 men, 12 tanks and 44 planes.

Of the 15.000 paratroopers only 10.000 were actually dropped. Most of them without heavy equipment. And although they at first conquered some strategic points they could not hold it. After five days nearly 9.000 of them had died or were captured. Only 856 men finally arrived friendly lines.

Also at first the Polish uprising did not take place, as the Poles knew the Soviets could never reach them in time. However, because some Polish units fought the Ukrainian Army the Ukrainians decided to make an offensive on their own against the Polish forces in the areas the Poles had conquered in the war of 1919-1921. This escalated eventually to a real war between both nations and to the ill-fated uprising of 1943/44.

At Smolensk however, the Soviet soldiers were still dying and had achieved nothing. Three days of fighting was in vain. But November 19th was the real day of crisis. Although the Soviets finally managed at some parts to reach the third line, an event elsewhere was important for winning or losing the offensive.

Second Battle of the Barents Sea, November 19th 1943

After the attempt of sinking the Tirpitz the German Navy had acted and showed she was damaged. Indeed she was fully operational. And now she was needed.

B-Dienst got notice that a huge convoy was forming at to break through to Russia. The Kriegsmarine had prepared for this moment. It was clear that in winter the Allies would resume the convoys. Now also the Germans were ready. At once a number of Uboats left the Norwegian bases. Others, just started to patrol elsewhere, were redirected, while a second wave was made ready. In Norwegian bases two naval bomber wings were assembled, MKG 1 (ex KG 26) and MKG 2 (ex KG 40). MKG 3 (KG 77) was in Italy, as were two groups of MKG 4 (ex KG 100), the other two at France.

But also now the German fleet under Vizeadmiral Ciliax sortied: Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, Admiral Scheer, Lützow, Admiral Hipper, Nürnberg and 12 destroyer. The four enemy submarines guarding the exit of the Altafjord did not radio the exit. One boat was lost to a new minefield, the other was recharging the batteries and was too far away, the third was at position but also too far away to see the fleet, while the fourth was hunted by the destroyer for some time and damages, so that she had to return home. And when she returned it was too late.

Infact the Germans let it look that only Scharnhorst and six destroyers sortied. That also believed the the British Room 40. 13 destroyer, 4 corvettes, 5 minesweeper and 3 subchaser were guarding the convoy directly, while the Cruiser division was consisting of HMS , HMS Jamaica and HMS Kent. The group with HMS Anson, HMS Victorious, USS Tuscaloosa and four destroyers.

U-600 under Kapitänleutnant Zurmühlen missed the convoy but found by chance the escorting group. He was in range and fired four FAT torpedoes on HMS Anson. They all missed but after they reached the programmed distance, they turned. It was a nasty surprise of HMS Victorious to be hit by three of these torpedoes. U-600 was sunk by the escorting destroyers soon after but reported:

Quote:

U-600 to BdU

Square AE37

Group of warships sighted. Likely escort group. One BB, one CV, five cruiser, several destroyer. Torpedoes fired on battleship, carrier hit. Strong sinking noises.

Zurmühlen Indeed HMS Victorious was badly hit, but still remained afloat for some hours. Enough time to rescue most of the crew.

Nevertheless in this moment Vice Admiral Moore got the notice that Scharnhorst in on the way. When asking where Tirpitz is, he got the answer: Altafjord. So he decided to attack her. Indeed the Germans had built a wooden dummy to look like a cloaked battleship. So the recce planes were fooled. And until the Norwegian resistance got behind, it was too late.

On November 19th daylight would come only for a few hours so high north. Both sides neared each other. Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, Admiral Scheer, Lützow, Admiral Hipper, Nürnberg and 12 destroyer versus HMS Anson, USS Tuscaloosa, HMS Kent, HMS Bermuda, HMS Jamaica and 7 destroyer (three came from the convoy).

At 8.00 AM both sides made contact by RADAR.

Both sides neared slowly on nearly parallel courses. At 10:00 AM both sides were 20.000 m away. The battleships and pocket battleships opened fire. No side could see the other, every shell was fired upon information by RADAR.

Admiral Moore was at first shocked, when he heard there were 18 contacts. Nevertheless he decided to fight. He still believed in a malfunction of the RADAR.

While HMS Anson fired at Tirpitz, the two German battleships fired upon the British battleship. HMS Anson scored the first hit with the sixth salvo on Tirpitz, but only little damages occured. Therefore she was hit by Scharnhorst's eighth salvo. But this time her RADAR was put out of action. Damn, thought Moore and gave the order to come nearer. Soon he found himself on the floor. A blast had destroyed the front window. The helmsman was dead by a splinter, but a new one replaced him soon. When he looke out of the window turret B was completely destroyed. A 38 cm shell of Tirpitz had disabled the turret. Soon after the next salvo of Tirpitz hit his ship once again. And he had no idea where the enemy was. So USS Tuscaloosa was ordered to triangulate the Tirpitz. Which he still thought that it was Scharnhorst.

But now, 10:45 AM, sun had risen and both sides had now visible contacts. At this moment both sides were about 15.000 m away. And now all ships fired, except the destroyer.

Moore cursed. He saw he was fighting against a supremacy. But his guns fired again. And he saw the second hit on Tirpitz. But also Ciliax on Tirpitz could see the next two hits on HMS Anson. Both amidships. He also saw USS Tuscaloosa under heavy fire. The US cruiser started to burn and tried to go out of the line. She was attacked by the two pocket battleships. And she herself did not score a hit until now. Admiral Hipper and HMS Kent were in a deadly duel, which HMS Kent seemed to lose. Only Nürnberg seemed to have problems in fighting two enemy light cruiser. But then he saw an explosion on HMS Bermuda. A 15 cm shell by Nürnberg had hit a turret and then exploded. The ready ammunition caught fire and exploded. That flash lead to the explosion of the main ammunition chamber.

The Allied destroyer tried to make a torpedo attack. Ciliax gave the sign "Z vor" and the German destroyers attacked. Before this happened concentrated fire of the medium artillery of the German capital ships lead to the sinking of USS Corry and USS Fitch before the destroyers attacked. In the following duel of 12 German destroyers fighting five Allied USS Forrest and USS Hobson were disabled and soon sunk by the German ships. The other three destroyers retreated. Only USS Hobson was able to launch five torpedoes on the greatests distance, but they went between Tirpitz and Scharnhorst. To have only five torpedo tubes seemed to be a disadvantage.

Then he saw back to HMS Anson. It seemed the aft turret had exploded as he didn't see it any more. Also she was trying to turn away. The next two shells hit her. And only 20 seconds later even four. After another four she laid dead in the water. Ciliax gave his destroyers the task to sink her. She laid dead in the water and was now a disabled target. 12 torpedoes were fired on her, while eight were hits. She soon capsized and sank.

Tirpitz wanted to change the target. USS Tuscaloosa was now the target of Scharnhorst. But not for long, as she laid dead in the water, too. The two pocket battleships had hit her about 25 times. After two salvos of Scharnhorst she laid on the side and began to sink. HMS Kent was burning. It seemed the whole ship was glowing. Admiral Hipper hat hit her multiple times and started several fires on her, which were out of control. The crew was already evacuating. After the crew was rescued by the Germans, Z 20 Karl Galster fired two torpedoes into her, so that she sank slowly. Where she sank the ocean seemed to boil. HMS Jamaica was running away, guarded by the three remaining destroyers.

The German losses were low. Nürnberg had to be released as she was badly damaged but in no danger of being sunk. Z 10 Hans Lody had to be towed home, but was, too, not in danger to be sunk. She was the lead ship of the German destroyers and target of the Allied destroyers. Tirpitz was hit four times, but the worst damage was a 15 cm turret being destroyed. Scharnhorst wasn't hit at all, while Admiral Scheer was hit three times. Although she was operational, Ciliax wanted to send her home, too. Admiral Hipper was hit six times and had lost a turret. Lützow wasn't hit, too.

Ciliax heard just in this moment, that the convoy was dissolved. The ships would try it on their own. Then he ordered to retreat to the Altafjord. Germany needed these ships and the rest of the work could be done by the planes and Uboats.

And they did their work. Of the 50 ships 6 returned to Iceland, another two to England. 11 reached ports in Russia. 18 however were sunk by Uboats, 13 by planes.

After the defeat the convoy route on the Murmansk route was stopped. Another way was needed to support Stalin.

Ciliax and his ships entered Norwegian ports soon after. 1.051 British sailors were their new guests. Vice Admiral Moore, however, was now on eternal patrol.

The Polish Uprising, November 19th 1943 to February 3rd 1944

The Polish Uprising started with an offensive of the Ukrainian National Army. The UNA was formed in mid 1943 and mostly used in fightings against Partisans. As Ukrainians were now doing the fightings, the Wehrmacht was relieved to other duties. Infact in the Ukraine Partisan activity dropped significantly. Only in majorly Russian settled areas they remained on a significant level, despite not so high as before.

The Ukrainian Army was about 250.000 men strong. Of them about 50.000 men fought at the front and 100.000 men were fighting partisans. The Polish Home Army (AK) was about 400.000 men strong.

The question of East Poland was not solved in the end of 1943. The Germans, to the dismay of the Ukrainians, wanted to wait until a final peace settlement was found. They, however, made clear, they would support the Ukrainian position.

The Bandera government was nevertheless not eager to wait but to act. And the Soviet offensive was a good time. The UNA had about 75.000 men ready for an offensive against East Poland. Officially it was an anti Partisan operation. But it was more. It was intended to break up East Poland. Not very well known today is the fact, that even the Lithunians started operations after talking to the Ukrainians.

For the AK the attack came not that surprisingly. They were warned due to some traitors and some agents. So they could answer the invasion. The first Ukrainian attack failed miserably, but the second broke into the Polish lines and could throw them behind Tarnopol. But soon they made a counter strike and encircled about 35.000 Ukrainians near Tarnopol. Also the Lithunians were beaten.

At this moment the Wehrmacht started to help their Allies and attacked the encirclement near Tarnopol. In contrast, the so called Tarnopol Corps of the AK was encircled itself. That was on November 27th.

The AK reacted and started a country wide uprising. Soon most of Warsaw and other cities were in their hands. On November 30th most of Poland was free again.

But that was not for long. The Germans brought in reserves, they intended to be used on the Eastern front. It would hav had been a catastrophe, if now the Soviets could break through their lines, as the forces needed for the counter strike were to be used elsewhere.

With heavy weapons and air support the AK was driven out of the land very fast. The Wehrmacht acted more humane than in the years before, but at some points attrocities happened. Likewise the Poles committed attrocities, too. Only few were later tried, but that were mostly the worst ones.

On January 1st 1944 the Polish army was limited to Lemberg, Przemysl and the area from Warsaw to Lublin. Due to the German offensive most land was captured until January 15th. Only Warsaw still resisted. The Germans did not storm the city. They wanted to starve them. But on January 19th the civilian population left the city. General Tadeusz Komorowski had made an armistice with the German command to evacuate the civilians. He and his army would still try to fight. This last stand of the AK is until now famous in Poland.

After the civilian population was evacuated, the Polish army had more supplies and could hold out longer. That was Komorowski's plyn. But this time the Germans attacked. Without the need to fear about the lives of innocents, well some civilians stayed, but knew the risk, the German siege artillery started firing. Except some historical valuable buildings, nearly every building was hit. Also the Luftwaffe flew bombing runs. After 14 days most of the soldiers had entrenched behind the ruins. On February 3rd, the German offensive started. And indeed at first the artillery fired, then came the tanks and after them the infantry. After four hours Komorowski surrendered. Of the 400.000 men of the AK 109.000 men had died. 225.000 men were taken PoW and had to work for the Germans. They had lost 39.000 men, the Ukrainians 15.000 and the Lithinians 5.500.

The Polish Uprising was over. The Allies propaganda called it a . However, although some happened, Warsaw was none as it was a defended city. The population could go home now, but it was nearly nothing left. Only few buildings still existed. Due to the situation happening in the winter time and problems in supporting such a huge number of civilians, the situation in the camps were badly. Not by the intention of the Germans but the circumstances. So 159.000 civilians died of all causes in the Uprising. While less than 10.000 were caused by violent actions, the others were caused by cold, deseases or hunger. Komorowski, like his successor Rowecki, were kept PoW.

Operation Blizzard November 15th-March 30th, Part 2

With the loss of so many supplies in the second battle of the Barents Sea the Soviet supply system was overstrained already. However, Stalin had ordered to continue the offensive. Yet, in spite of new supplies, he even ordered another offensive in the south.

Until now Heinrici had fought with great skills. Also his soldiers fought with great bravery. Heinrici had the command of the former members of the Death Head SS, Einsatzgruppen and members of units of Wehrmacht and SS, which were involved or suspected to be involved in war crimes. After long discussions the German government decided to pardon every one of them, who survived 180 days at the front. Also it was decided to send the people to the foremost lines, who had a greater guilt. Indeed only the highest ranking officials had been arrested to try them. So the ones fighting in the first lines knew they could hardly save their lives. So nearly all of them fought with great bravery. Some to rehabilitate ("I gave blood for blood"), some because of fatalism and some to kill as many "Untermenschen" as possible. However, indeed only few of them would survive.

Most of these men were now forming the 666th Army. The Fremdenlegion was indeed as strong as two armies and were forming the 1. and 2. Fremdenlegion. All three armies were fighting at the very front. The 6th, the 101st armies as well as the 99th Panzer army were forming the reserves. Most of them were former Waffen SS members.

Indeed at November 20th the Soviets finally reached the German lines. But still the fire was too exact to break through. That did not happen until two days later. And again with high costs. But there were still three other lines. And again the new StG 43, the Panzerfaust and Pak made it a costly way. On November 28th finally the second line fell, then already the next day the third. But then it lasted until December 6th until the last line was crushed.

The Operation Blizzard was officially changed to Operation Liberation, as new objectives were given and the operation in the south was added.

Here three Russian fronts attacked the Heeresgruppe Süd while another was sent to the South from the operation near Smolensk. Guderian as commander of the Heeresgruppe Süd could delay the attacks. Although his forces were not as prepared as the Heeresgruppe Heinrici, it doesn't mean he wasn't totally unprepared. This time, however, the artillery shelled the third and fourth line. But they were the weakest, as Guderian did not do the trick Heinrici did. And again the Soviets made the mistake to fire all their shells on these lines. And indeed it would last a while until new shells would come.

In the meantime the results were bloody for both sides, but especially for the Soviets, who still had to attacked well fortified and well defended lines. Casualities of the Soviets were nearly as high as at Smolensk. But here after four days the German defenses were broken. But due to the lack of supplies the Soviets could not use this to make a fast attack. Indeed the Germans used that to make counter attacks. Not as strong as before, not like Kharkow, but more like hit and run attacks. On this way the Russian advance was severely slowed down.

That happened, too, in the north. The Soviets were advancing but had a tremendous price to pay. In March 1944 they finally reached the new German main defensive line. The Wotan line at the other side of the Dnjepr river from Orsha to Kherson. In the north the line went to Witebsk to Pskow and followed the lake Peipus to the Estonian/Russian border. This line was already built in the whole 1943 for this case.

In the South the Soviet attempts to take the Crimean peninsula failed due to the lack of planes. Furthermore Stalin forbade to use the Black Sea Fleet in the range of the Luftwaffe fearing similar results like the Allies had in the Mediterranean. The attack on the narrowest point was defeated 17 times. Two landings with small craft were defeated at Kertsch peninsula. There were not that many resources available to take the peninsula from a well prepared enemy.

Also as the ice would melt soon and make any further operation impossible, on March 30th the operation was called off. The losses on both sides were tremendous.

The losses were high on both sides. But the Soviets still had gigantic losses. Of the totally used 4.500.000 men the Soviets used, nearly 2.400.000 were casualities. And 1.250.000 men of him were dead, especially as many wounded died because of the lack of supplies. No side really had made many PoW. Additionally he had lost 5.999 tanks and 3.687 planes.

The Germans had lost 251.778 men dead and over 400.000 wounded. They had lost 1.501 tanks and 1.401 planes as well.

For Stalin it was a victory, but a phyrric one. He had lost again most of his best troops. Therefore the Germans had to retreat from the Donezk area as well as from big parts of Russia. But before they went the factories, mines and power supply stations were destroyed.

Now Stalin prepared for the next offensive in May 1944.

Air , November 18th 1943 -March 31st 1944

The air battle of Berlin was the attempt of Marshal Harris to force Germany into surrender. So he believed to have to make further terror bombings on the German population. So he decided to bomb Berlin the same way he bombed Hamburg before. He ordered attacks of 800+ planes, sometimes devided on several targets, sometimes not aiming on Berlin, to make sure, the German defence could not concentrate on one place to defend.

While the first attack was a failure the second on November 22nd/23rd was the most successful in the sense of the Bomber Command in an attack on Berlin. Here several fire storms was ignited. The Protestant Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church becomes a victim of these flames as well as the New Synagogue- which was officially given back only the day before. Also other cities like Leverkusen were attacked.

But the losses were heavy. 605 bombers were shot down, nearly 7% of all planes used. That meant whole squadrons were to be refilled totally after three months. The aim was not reached though. 4.000 German civilians had died, but nearly as many air crew members, too. Furthermore the Luftwaffe was still able to defend Berlin.

Also morale was not broken, but strengenthed.

One single torpedo, November 18th 1943

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt was going to Cairo and Teheran he did so on board of the battleship USS Iowa. With him also some senators were with him, one of them Harry S. Truman. As did Churchill on HMS Duke of York. Both squadrons had many escorts. USS Iowa was escorted by the destroyer USS William D. Porter. Near Gibraltar these ships made exercises, so also aiming torpedoes. Here one of Porter's live torpedoes was accidentally fired on USS Iowa. Of course she switched the course as she was warned. The torpedo passed her, so USS Iowa turned to the original course.

In the meantime U-86 under Kapitänleutnant Schug was spotting the US group of warships. Schug was cursing. The ships were too far away. Then he suddenly saw a battleship coming straight towards him. He wanted to give the order to dive, when he saw the big ship turning. Now the mighty ship was only 500 m away!

Schug ordered at once: Torpedorohre eins bis vier los! (Fire tubes 1 - 4). He did not aim nor give any data into the torpedo data computer. But despite the speed USS Iowa could not be missed. She was hit by all four torpedoes amidships.

Three of them destroyed the engine rooms. the fourth a nearly empty tank. Here much gas was existing. The subsequent explosion caused the aft part of the ship to be in flames.

U-86 fired a T-5 torpedo with the aft tube on the disabled ship and then dived. This torpedo however did not hit USS Iowa but hit USS William D. Porter, which exploded.

On USS Iowa the captain ordered to evacuate all VIPs to be evacuated at once. So the President, the Senators and the staff went on a destroyer at first. Senator Truman was wounded by splinters in the back, which were operated out shortly after. Nevertheless he remained to feel a pain in the back for his entire life.

U-86 could escape as the destroyers were more busy to try to keep the ship afloat. It was problematical, as the fire was still active and no pumps could be used as the electrical system was out of order. The battleship listed for over 12° now and it became worse, when the aft magazine exploded and ripping off the whole aft part. Then it happened very fast. Her aft part had disappeared and her bow was sinking very fast. The escorts were looking for survivors as well as blindly making depth charge attacks, one of them even damaging U-86 slightly.

Roosevelt and his staff reached Cairo savely by plane. No further attempts to attack the ships were conducted by the German side.

Rundstedt's Flight, November 25th 1943

On November 25th Generalfeldmarschall v. Rundstedt, commander of the Heeresgruppe B in France, ordered a war game in Cherbourg to prepare for the invasion. All counter measures should be included. This game was to be archieved and used later in open manouevers. The results were to be written later. However, all data and files were already written. With these data v. Rundstedt left Cherbourg on 8.00 PM. It was late and dark already, also it was very foggy. Although there was the order, not to use the plane under these circumstances, v. Rundstedt violated this order and flew with his pilot back to Paris. At least he wanted. However, due to a mishap of the pilot and the break down of the compass, the Bf 108 flew north east, instead of south east. The plane indeed landed in London instead of Paris! Before realizing what happened, v. Rundstedt and his pilot were arrested by the British and became PoW.

The British also captured all plans for the defence of France. All coastal artillery positions, mine fields, unit positions, plans and so on. Furthermore the results of the war game were there:

1. The invasion takes place near Calais. All other places are impossible and against all military logic. 2. The invasion there can be stopped within the first 24-48 hours. If that is not possible, it is highly likely the Allies can take a foot in France. 3. The French forces are not really trustable and will deployed on other parts of the coast line, especially in the Normandy. Most German forces there will wait near Calais. 4. All Luftwaffe units are to be concentrated there. 5. Any landing at other points are a ruse and have to be dealt with smaller forces. The main landing will be Calais area.

For the German High Command this result was a catastrophe. Rundstedt in the hands of the enemy and with the defensive plans.

Because of these results, Rommel was sent to France while Kesselring took over the fights in Italy.

The Conference of Cairo, November 22nd to 26th 1943

The Cairo Conference started with President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill and Generalissimus Chiang Kai-Shek on November 22nd.

Churchill: Nice to see you alive Franklin.

Roosevelt: Yes, it was a very near thing. Luckily I was at the other side to see the torpedo of our destroyer. Then shortly after we were hit. I was at once brought to a boat and then to another destroyer.

Churchill: Do you think it was an attempt?

Roosevelt: As USS William D. Porter was sunk we will never know for sure. But I don't think so. - Back to business!

Chiang: All right.

Churchill: The situation is this: We're able to beat the Japanese on the islands, but in Asia they are far away from being beaten.

Chiang: Very right. I have to demand more attempts to get the upper hand also on the continent.

Churchill: True. Even India is now in range of the Japanese. Burma is nearly completely overrun.

Roosevelt: Yes. And that's why I propose an amphibious landing in Burma.

Chiang: I agree.

Churchill: Err... That severely endangers the invasion of the Normandy. And despite the risk for India I have to worry more about my homeland. That can't be an option.

Roosevelt: We can do both. Trust me.

Churchill: I fear we can't. We need the invasion in France. Every other amphibious operation has to wait. Furthermore I again ask you for help. If we can retake the Dodecanese...

Chiang: I thought you wanted no amphibious operation- eh?

Roosevelt: And you were beaten there. You got a bloody nose and now you demand we do the job for you.

Churchill: That is an exception. If we have the Dodecanese we can offer that Turkey.

At this moment Anthony Eden entered the room. He came from Turkey.

Churchill: Ah, Anthony. What does the Turks say? Will they declare war?

Eden: Turkey is not very much keen to do this. It seems the German occupation of the Dodecanese and our bombardment campaign as well as the German wishes to make peace and a pro German sentiment make it hard for us to let them invade. Even worse, the Turks have allowed the passage of German ships through the Dardanelles!

Churchill: Bloody Turks!

Eden: And we failed with our pressure to make Turkish resources more costly!

Roosevelt: That's an end to all attempts to bring Turkey into this war.

Chiang: We need a post war plan for Asia!

Roosevelt: Very true. I suggesst these points roughly: a) Unconditional b) We abstain from any attempts to expand our own territories.

Chiang: But that's not true for our own country!

Roosevelt: Of course not. I finished not yet. c) Returning of all territories Japan got since 1914, returning all of China, including Manshuria, Formosa and the Pescadores islands, as they were robbed from China

Chiang: Very true!

Roosevelt: d) Korea shall become an independent state.

Churchill: I agree.

After some more details were discussed, the Cairo Declaration was published on December 1st 1943.

Teheran Conference, November 28th to December 1st 1943

The Teheran Conference was the meeting of the three main leaders of the Allies, Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. They wanted to discuss the next war year as well as the plan for Germany after the war.

Stalin opened the conference and openly talked about the strategy. He offered a Soviet offensive against Japan once Germany was beaten. Therefore he demanded an invasion in Northern France. Churchill and Roosevelt promised to execute such an invasion in May 1944. Additionally they said, an invasion in Southern France might be possible. Stalin was excited and also demanded that. As Churchill and Roosevelt said, that was only a possibility and no real plans had been made, Stalin said, the Soviets had made good experiences with pincer movements. He strongly suggested that. It should have been not two but only one operation. Stalin then promised another offensive shortly before the landings. The one currently conducted would go well, but he had lacks in supplies and strongly needed more, especially trucks and trains. The Luftwaffe would make him problems because of attacking his infrastructure. Although most factories hit were now repaired, the infrastructure was badly hit and prevented resources and products to be moved. Furthermore the lack of electricity made it problematical to use the repaired facilities. When Churchill spoke about the losses, Stalin said, that would only be statistics.

With the plans after the war Roosevelt and Churchill supposed the departation of Germany. One Northern state without Schleswig (to Denmark), Holstein, Rhineland (both internationalized), lands west of the Weser river (to the Benelux countries), the Saar- and Mosel-areas (to France), Silesia east of the Glatzer Neiße and parts of Hinterpommern, and one southern state, in which monarchy is restored, containing of Bayern, Baden, Württemberg, Pfalz and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. This state should be under the protection of the Danube Federation, formed from Austria and Hungary. Furthermore they confirmed the Morgenthau plan. Stalin, eager to get Polish territories accepted finally, that Poland should get German territories for these lands they lost in the east.

Furthermore they agreed to restore Iran once war was over. As well the western Allies demanded the independence of Finland. Stalin refused to hold elections in the Balticum. And Josip Broz Tito was accepted as Allied CiC in Yougoslavia.

On the final dinner, Churchill donated Stalin the of Stalingrad, which was made by king George VI. for him after the victory of Stalingrad. Shortly after Stalin and Churchill had a debate, when Stalin demanded to execute 50.000 to 100.000 German officers. Churchill strongly denied that, while Roosevelt thought, it was a joke and so said 49.000 officers would be enough.

The German government strongly refused such conditions. As well, the Polish government in exile did the very same. However, they still refused to talk to the Germans to make a seperate peace.

Blockaderunner, part 1: The run of the Osorno

As one of five German blockade runners Osorno had left Kobe on October 2nd 1943. The ship of 6.951 grt had a precious cargo of 3.944 t natural rubber, 1.826 t tin and 180 t Tungsten ore. The ship passed the Cape of Good Hope on November 15th. Despite being spotted by a B-24 Osorno could escape a search by Allied task groups on December 8th.

Shortly after the ship is spotted by U-510 on her way to the Indian Ocean. The Uboat is spotted and hunted shortly after but could escape as well. Due to the decoding of the message of U-510 the Allies get to know that Osorno had already passed the "Barrier" and "Freecar" barrier zones. The hunting warships followed the blockade runner, so that the second runner, the Alsterufer, 2.729 grt, could pass the barrier zones without problems.* Instead the new patrol zone "Stonewall" is erected to catch the runner. The patrol zone is around the Azores.

On December 16th/17th Osorno could pass the convoy route USA-Gibraltar without any problems. She passed the route USA-UK two days later and crossed the route of convoy ON 215 in near distance. Then she followed the route of convoy HX 270 in one day distance followed by convoy SC 149 another day later.

The B.d.U. (Befehlshaber der U-Boote, Commander of the Uboats), gave the wolfpack "Borkum" the order to protect Osorno. After crossing the routes of convoys KMF 27 and MKS 33/SL 142 in a distance of again less than a day, Osorno took course Biskaya on December 21st. USN attempts to fight the wolfpack failed as well as the searches in the Stonewall area, as here both ships had already passed the areas. Instead "Borkum" should attack the convoy MKS 33/SL 142 to give Osorno a free back.

Despite bad weather Osorno was spotted by a US Wildcat fighter on patrol on December 23rd. On Holy Eve a sea battle between "Borkum" and the TG.21.14 evolved. U-315 detected them at first, but was driven off by the destroyer USS Schenck. U-415 (Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant) Neide) hit USS Card with one torpedo out of three. The carrier is severely damaged but can reach Gibraltar. There she is declared a total loss. U- 415 missed with a T-5 torpedo USS Decatur though. As did USS Schenck with one T-5 eel from U-645 (Oberleutnant (Olt.; Lieutenant Jr. Grade) zur See Ferro) and in return sank that boat. Therefore USS Leary, which was sent to assist USS Schenck, was hit by another T-5 of U-275 (Olt. Bork) and sunk by a coup de grâce of U-382 (Olt. Zorn). Another escort carrier group with USS Core had to retreat due to lack of fuel. Therefore a group of USS Striker came in range and U-415 could sink the leading destroyer USS Hurricane.

On Christmas Day 1943 Osorno had to repell some air strikes, in which a Sunderland was shot down, but because of Captain Kohlauf's six destroyer and fleet torpedo boats the ship reached the Gironde Estuary. Here, however, she had to beached as she rammed the submerged wreck of Spreebrecher 21. She was scrapped after the war.

* She is part of another post.

Little Pearl Harbour, December 2nd 1943

The Bari air raid of December 2nd is considered the second most successful raid on a harbour, with the only exception of Pearl Harbour itself.

Bari was the main supply base for the Italian operation planned only a few weeks later. Because of this the whole harbour was completely lit on. Additionally there were no defending fighters near nor a flak defense worth to be mentioned as they were lacking in modern guns and effective leadership. And despite four successful attacks on Bari and several others in the Med, the commander of the North West African Tactical Air Force, Arthur Coningham, said only a few hours before the raid, that Germany had lost the war. "I would consider it as a personal insult if the enemy should send so much as one plane over the city." he said.

Just at this moment a Me 210 recce plane piloted by Werner Hahn was over the city. The German Command had decided to attack Bari to cripple the Allied forces in Italy. Generalfedlmarschall Wolfram v. Richthofen had promised 150 planes for this attack, but indeed only 105 Ju-88 were attacking. Why the Kriegsmarine was not asked to join, is still a secret. Likely someone forgot to mention this.

At 7.25 PM two Ju-88 appeared over Bari and fired chaffs (Düppel) and flares. This illumination was not needed though, as Bari was lit on like in peace. With the Allied RADAR out of order 105 Ju-88 A4 attacked.

Surprise was total as the Allied flak didn't fire until the first bombs detonated. That was only five minutes later. And then it was too late. Very soon three ships detonated and let all glas burst in a radius of 11 km. These ships were the Liberty Ships (ca. 7.200 grt) John L. Motley, Joseph Wheeler and John Harvey. Due to the esplosion of these ships several other ships were sunk as well. Also as fuel pipelines were hit burning oil spread over ships not being hit and sinking them, too. 18 ships of over 30 with about 77.000 grt were destroyed with 31.000 t cargo. Three ships with 6.100 t cargo could be salvaged later. Bari harbour was out of action for three weeks and not working with 100% until February.

As this was not enough the history of ww2 might have made another direction. SS John Harvey had also a secret cargo of 2.000 M47 mustard gas shells, each carrying about 30 kg of this gas. These shells were violating international law. Still they were on the ship "for the case of a German use of gas weapons". So at least the official justification. With the explosion of the ship many sailors in the water were contaminated. And with them many other people, as no one gave a warning. The crew of SS John Harvey was dead. And in the chaos the harbour command simply forgot it.

So instead of caring everyone against this gas, they were sent to the rooms in their contaminated clothes. It was only a few hours later, when the first sailors became health problems, it was discovered. Due to this a gas alarm was not made yet. Because of this at least 83 of 628 sailors hospitalized died, the last one a month later. The civilian casualities are not known.

At first it was suspected, the Germans made a gas strike, but this eventually was dropped when parts of an M47 shell were found. Then it was totally clear, that it was the own ammunition.

Because of this the US command gave the explanation that the cargo was only meant "for retaliation and not for offensive use". Despite this Churchill demanded the purging of all British files with hints of a gas accident. Instead the dead people were "dead of burnings". The US files were declassified in 1959. The British did not admit it before 1986.

Air Marshal Coningham was exonerated.

Königsberger Reichsverfassung

The Königsberg Constitution of 1943 (RGBl. 1944 I, pp. 1-244) was made during the Second World War, when Hitler had been killed. Based upon the preliminary proposal made by the convent of Herrenchiemsee, the national assembly elected in September 1943 came together at Königsberg, as it was considered safe enough, as Allied bombers did not come that far into the Reich air space. Another reason was a political one: It should be made clear Germany would not accept the loss of German territories. When the Nationalversammlung under the lead of Dr. Konrad Adenauer was finally ready in November, on December 5th the constitution was finally accepted by the population. It came in force on January 1st 1944. On January 18th Kaiser Wilhelm III. was proclaimed as the new Kaiser. On the same date Reichsverweser Beck resigned. Like he had already announced Kaiser Wilhelm III. resigned the very next day Kaiser Louis I. was proclaimed and crowned in Königsberg Castle. The Reichstag remained the parliament. The governments of the states formed the upper house, the Reichsrat. On the level of the states the new constitution gave it free, what kind of organisation they would follow, being a parliamentary monarchy or a republic. In any case according to Art. 20 I KRV democracy and statehood of law had to be guaranteed. That's why some states like the Hanseatic cities but also Thuringia, Hessen and Braunschweig remained republics, while Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony and some others reintroduced the monarchy. ... Chapter 1: The Basic Rights

The first chapter is stating the Basic Rights for every human (human rights) and for every German (civil rights). The pride of man is the famous first article of the KRV. However, due to the war situation most basic rights were to be suspended, at least partly...

Chapter 2: The Reich and the Länder

The second Chapter is dealing with the Reich, the hymn, the insignias and so on as well as the federal states (Bundesländer) of the Reich... Here also the colonies were dealt with...

Chapter 3: The Reichstag

The third chapter is dealing with the Reichstag. This is the main legislative branch...

Chapter 4: The Reichsrat

The Reichsrat has the task of influencing the Reich legislative and to give the states a voice within the legislative. The members of the state's governments send their represantives to the Reichsrat. Each state has at least two votes and cannot split them but has to speak and elect as one unity. If they doesn't do so, they are considered as abstination...

Chapter 5: The Kaiser

The Kaiser is mostly considered as the First Notary. However, this is not true, at least not totally. He still has some power. If he has the opinion a law was not made within the rules of the constitution, he can refuse to sign it. He can then only be sued before the constitutional court. Then the constituional court's decision is replacing the signing, if it was considered a valid law. The question, if he can only refuse laws being formal illegal or also material, is solved by the main opinion within the court and law professors as he can also refuse a law being material void. The reason for this is checks and balances...

Chapter 6: The Reich Government

The government is lead by the chancellor. He is elected by the Reichstag. The first candidate is selected by the Kaiser. If he is not selected by the majority of the members of the Reichstag, in a second attempt there is no need to keep the candidate selected by the Kaiser. After 14 days after the first election attempt the candidate with most votes is elected. If he has not the majority of the members of the Reichstag, the Kaiser can refuse to appoint him and dissolve the parliament. This is especially true in cases of an instability of the whole political situation in the Reichstag... The Chancellor can select his ministers freely. The Reichstag may not interfere in this. They can only make a constructive vote of no confidence against the chancellor, but not against a minister... The chancellor can also ask for confidence. If this is not granted, the Kaiser may dissolve the Reichstag within three weeks if no other chancellor is elected...

Chapter 7: Legislation

The legislation is the topic of the next chapter in the KRV...

Chapter 8: Execution of the Reich laws

Generally the states have to execute the Reich laws. But there are exceptions...

Chapter 9: Jurisprudence

The jurisprudence is dealt within the 9th chapter... The Reichsverfassungsgericht was the last organ to be formed. A rudimentary senate was formed in late 1944... The most problematic question within the National Assembly was the question of the death penalty. Finally, as many of the Nazi criminals still lived, it was decided to keep it. However, several additions were made to appease the people denying them. The first was, that only a very few crimes were to have this penalty, like murder or higherst treachery. The second was, the the penalty could only be given once a special guilt was discovered. Youth, influence of Alcohol and other drugs as well as mentally problematic situations were to be excluding this special guilt. Furthermore the special guilt could only be determined by the very first court. Also if someone was condamned, an appeal was made automatically before the next highest court. The revision before the Reichsgericht was still possible after. This was on contrast to other heavy crimes, where a decision of the Landgericht can only be contested by the revision. The question, if this capital punishment is in accordance to Art. 1 KRV started at once, when the constitution became in force... Another article dealt with the possibility to make a special court for crimes against humanity in the ongoing war and the Nazi rule...

Chapter 10: The Financial Constitution

The financial constitution is part of the next chapter...

Chapter 11: The Wehrmacht

The Kaiser titular supreme commander of the Wehrmacht. The Wehrmacht is under the effective command of the minister of defense in times of peace. In times of war the chancellor is the effective supreme commander. Then however, the chief of staff is the de facto military leader, but has to act within the lines the politics gives to him... War and peace can only be declared with the approval of the majority of the members of the Reichstag. In case of the attack the armed forces are to resist the enemy. Then the Kaiser, the government or the presidents of the Reichstag or Reichsrat or the chief of staff may determine the case of national defense at the next possible moment. Military actions other than war or equal fights may be ordered by the government, unless the Reichstag does not demand the return of the armed forces...

Chapter 12: Final and transitorial rules ...

The reactions within the Allied nations were not cohesive. While the Western governments finally recognized the new German government, only to announce major changes, once they had the control and thus still insisting on the unconditional surrender, Stalin did not recognize them at all...

The reactions within the Allied press were surprisingly more moderate. Most newspapers said, the KRV was a modern constitution with few points of critics. The New York Times asked, why the government was still insisting of changes. Yet even the Harvard Law School published an essay, in which it was stated that there were no serious flaws within the KRV and yet only some "questions of taste". So there were no alteration needed. They went even farther and denied the Allies to introduce them on their own and against the will of the German people. "The United States were ever the force of democracy. They defended democracy ever since the foundation. But now we must ask ourselves, why the current government demands serious changes of a constitution made under democratic rules. A constitution, which is as democratical and as according to the rules of law as our own constitution... This question is even more serious, as no nation has the right to impose a constitution to another one, even if the nation is totally occupied. Any actions in this way are void... So another question must be asked now: Why do we lead this war?"

From: v. Mangoldt, KRV, 3rd volume, Frankfurt 1955

Operation Inselsprung, December 15th to 31st 1943

Operation Inselsprung was a massive joint German/Croatian operation to remove the partisans from the Croatian islands. After the fall of the Ustasha regime and the new provisorical government, the support of the partisans had dropped, but remained still in a substantial level. So many of the islands were still controlled by the partisans. That's why, shortly before the Fall Achse occured, it was planned to retake the islands and to remove the partisans. That campaign was void however with the Fall Achse. In the subsequent fightings between Germany and Italy forces were needed elsewhere. So it was postponed.

Indeed it was conducted at the end of the year, when sufficient units were available. The beginning of the operation started coincedentally on the day Josip Broz Tito was announcing the government in exile of Yougoslavia. After some initial fightings the partisans decided to withdraw from all islands except Vis (Lissa). They wanted to keep this island as base. In the following fightings the Croatians were able to remove the Partisans from the island. Here also the Brandenburg regiment was engaged.

During the fights the old cruiser Dalmacija of the Croatian Navy ran aground and was later sunk by two British MTB. Both were however in return put under fire by the two Croatian destroyers and one was sunk, HMS MTB 276, the other, HMS MTB 298, was disabled and captured. When they arrived back the harbour of Fiume, now officially still German but de facto Croatian, Fähnrich (Officer Cadet) Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi of the Küstenjäger of the Brandenburg regiment got an idea...

For the partisans the loss of the islands meant that only a small stripe of coast in Montenegro was still in their hands.

Blockaderunner, part 2: The run of the Alsterufer, December 26th - 31st 1943

The Alsterufer (2.729 grt.) had eluded all dangers and was now in the Biscaya, when on December 27th a Sunderland flying boat found her. At once several cruisers and destroyers were sent to catch her. Also several bomber squadrons were sent out to hunt down the ship.

In the meantime the German destroyers and fleet torpedo boats sortied again. The crews were very tired as they just had brought in the Osorno.

At 16.15 on that day the 311th squadron of the RAF with Czech pilots flying B-24 Liberators found Alsterufer. But nearby there were three other ships. Was she already taken as prize? So the squadron wanted to contact at first the ships, but no answer was given. So it was decided to near the ships and see what was going on.

Soon however it was clear that the vessels were hostile. A massive flak welcomed them. And that in a moment an attack was not possible as they were too near. Soon three of the planes were shot down while a fourth was badly damaged. The other planes were now climbing and returned for a high level attack half an hour later, but then also two Ju 88 long range fighters appeared and shooting down another bomber. Although one was downed, too, they managed to drive the other planes away.

Shortly after a Halifax combat group was welcomed with several long range fighters and had to retreat.

But who helped the Alsterufer, as the German destroyers were still miles away? It were the French. On November 9th the Dakar Naval Base had again switched the sides after hearing about the attack on Toulon. There the three light cruisers Montcalm, Gloire and Duguay-Trouin left the base at once. They had raided the coasts of South Africa and Brazil before leaving for home, after refuelling again at Dakar. An Allied task group trying to hunt them down missed them twice. The French cruisers had avoided convoys before and the Osorno made it also possible for them to avoid being detected. That and her RADAR made it possible to avoid combats.

They were on their way to Brest through the Biskaya when they by chance met a lone freighter. It was a surprise for both sides that friendly ships were meeting. Both sides decided to join the last part of the way.

The German escorts met the ships the very next day. And yet another day later two British cruisers, HMS Glasgow and HMS Enterprise, met the convoy. As being totally outnumbered they retreated. The German destroyers and fleet torpedo boats would not have been of much value due to the rough seas, how Kohlauf later wrote to the command.

On the last day of the year the Alsterufer reached Bodeaux. She was the last runner to make it home. Shortly after within three days the last three runners were caught and sunk. After this no surface vessel was sent out to run the blockade.

January 1st 1944: A situation report

A situation report:

Axis Powers

Germany:

The political situation in Germany in 1943 had seen dramatic changes from a totalitaristic dictatorship to a modern democracy. The Nazi party was banned, but many politicians and officials of lesser importance had politically survived these changes. The new German government was clear they needed the officials and the bureaucracy. Only few, who were directly involved into , were arrested. And indeed most of the SS, although disbanded, were used in the fightings against the Russians. Especially the people, who were involved into the Holocaust to a lesser extent, were fighting in units, which were considered as units of death. They fought with distinction, as the fought for their lives.

The special office of public prosecution to try the Nazi leadership was still looking through all files. Despite nearly one year was over, many more files were to look through and many more witnesses were to ask. Nevertheless it was considered that in half a year most work was done.

The survivors of the camps and ghettos were free. Some went to their old homes, as they were given back. But some couldn't, so they stayed where they were in the ghettos or were brought into new camps. Some demanded to be allowed to go to Palestina at once. While the German government was not totally against it, they effectively killed this demand by asking them, how they would want to go to Palestina with the Allies controlling the ways. Indeed they allowed an attempt, which soon failed as the Turkish ship chartered was sent back, with the people on it. Then most agreed to wait. A small minority joined to conduct terroristical attacks on German targets, but here again most failed and were arrested. Only few remained free, without much support though. For the moment they remained a foot note.

The morale in the German population was good. They knew they would fight for their lives, as the Allies had made clear they wanted an unconditional surrender and the implementation of the Morgenthau plan.

Millions of German women were sent into the factories where they replaced men going to the front and slave labourers. Although this was not totally as the remaining slave worker were still forced to work, they now got fair salaries as well as food. However, it is still considered as the main sin of the new government not to abandon the slave work at all. But the factories had to work in a struggle for survival. As otherwise war could not be continued.

The production rates were reaching new peaks nearly every month. The Allied bombers did only little damages to the factories in comparisation with what they could have. The bombing of the living areas was far less effective to stop the factories producing.

The food situation in Germany became more severe because in the occupied states less food was taken. However, the most problematic loss was the loss of parts of the Ukraine in the last Soviet offensive. However, the Argentinean government offered to help and to export food via Spain. This offer was gladly accepted and first shippings were expected to happen in the end of January. Because of diplomatic US pressure another treaty to import other resources was not signed.

In the research field the German scientists concentrated on new weapons to fight planes, like guided missiles or new jet planes, new rifles and other stuff. Of these weapon systems the Me 262 was to go into production in January 1944. On the yards all projects building new ships of cruiser size or higher were disbanded. They still were to build destroyers and torpedo boats, the main production was now switched to Type XXI and XXIII boats. The Panther tank was the main battle tank. The Königstiger would remain a very small series of about 12 tanks in total to be used as a means of desinformation.

The nuclear program was working on highest levels, but even with the newly found Uranium in Saxony it would last perhaps up to 1947, when nothing important happened to build a bomb.

Japan

Japan was in serious troubles. Despite the successes in Burma and China, the Japanese had to retreat from the islands. They were simply lacking nearly everything.

However, Yamamoto's changes were now leading to first successes. Ths sinking ratios of US submarines became lower and the submarine losses higher. Despite this he knew, he would someday loose this war because of the numbers. Until then he hoped to make them war fatigue. In the Japanese Sea he trained new pilots. Additionally Mitsubishi was now ready to produce the A7M fighter with the Mitsubishi Ha-43 engine. By mid 1944 the carrier air wings would be reestablished. However, until then the US had the initiative and could only be hampered by land based aircraft.

Italy

Only nothing more like an Axis power of German grace. Although the word "power" is exaggerating. Indeed nothing more like a small army, a small, but still capable air force and a small navy were left. Now the north was producing mostly for Germany. Albeit the South was liberated from the Allies, they were struck in the and could not continue much.

There were already partisans acting in the Appennin mountains behind the German lines, most were fought by the Italian Republic Forces. With a great cruelity. It is considered as the second great sin of the German government to keep Mussolini in power, but considering the situation there was hardly an alternative.

France

The new Axis power was against her will now bound to the new Allies. Although leaning towards the Allies, the attack on Toulon was too much to accept, as it happened now twice that the French fleet was attacked by her former allies. The use of own forces was however at first only restricted to some naval operations, as most other forces were to be raised and trained.

As ambivalent as the situation so was the morale. However, the Maquis was now mostly inactive as most did not know how to react. A single event micht have changed that very fast. To one side or the other.

Croatia

Croatia was now under control and partisan activity was very low. They had however few units and were fully used to defend the home land against partisans or Allied operations at the coast.

After the end of the Chetnik government, the new democratic government was ruling with some success.

Rumania

This land had a new democratic government formed. However, elections would not occur until mid 1944, so that the transmission of power was here some slower than in the other nations. Romania was still embedded in the Axis coalition, but that would change quickly once the Russians were at the front door. And Rumania had oil.

Bulgaria

Another Axis power with a very young Czar. The situation is like in Rumania.

Hungary

Hungary had become the most powerful land on the Balcan just now and much to loose. Therefore they even more alligned on Germany and Admiral Horthy had accepted a new government with democratic structures. The Hungarians would continue to fight.

Finland

Not really an Axis member, this ever democratic state was to continue to fight the Red Army. And it didn't look well for the Soviets to take Finland.

Baltic States

Small armies were forming to defend the nations against the Soviets. However, the situation was critical. Still morale was excellent.

Ukraine

The Ukraine was in sever troubles. The partisan activity was low, but many lands should fall shortly. And then Stalin would take revenge. That's why the Ukrainian Army was ambivalent. Some units fighting to death while others were disbanding.

Free Russian Army

The Free Russian army was low on morale and power. It was only a question of time until the army was scattered. However, there was still a hard core fighting with great distinction.

Siam

As Ally of Japan, Siam was bound to fight. Here no democratic government was formed and Siam would not change the sides, until there were more dramatic changes.

Slovakia

Despite a new provisorica government the nation remained a German client state.

______

Allies

USA

The USA were still able to outproduce her enemies. Only their economical might would make it possible to win the war. And they had a nuclear program which likely would be successful within 20 months. Although fighting for unconditional surrender, the need for this is not seen within the population any longer. But still they hold the lines closed. Opposition against the war is low. And they are under pressure of the government. At this moment no change will occur, as long as the opposition is a tiny minority.

UK (and dominions)

Churchill's government were bound to the USA. Without them the Empire would have collapsed already. And now there was still danger. Nevertheless he would have made peace with Germany. But as it was like it was, it could not be changed. And Germany being cut was nothing anyone would not be glad about. Hopefully the bomber campaign did not backfire somehow.

The war on the seas had changed. Now the supply routes were rather save and the control of the seas mostly existing. But the losses were heavy and it was still a question, if the Empire could be saved after.

Soviet Union

Stalin was just attacking. His forces would be soon take nearly everything east of the Dnjepr. But this success was bought with high losses. That and the German attacks on the infrastructure were hurting the war effort. The lack of electricity and resources and products not being transported from the mines to the factories resp. from the factories to the front made it problematical.

Furthermore the food situation became worse because of the same reasons. A propaganda movie how Leningrad is restoring, as they got many food from other regions, backfired very soon as many people got angry. If it didn't change, a famine could happen. Local unrest was already happening, but brutally subpressed by the NKWD.

Free French Forces

Here only a hard core was remaining. After Toulon most forces were disarmed. De Gaulle was at this moment as far away from power as he was ever before. Also most French territory liberated from the Allies were now de facto occupied.

China

Despite help from all sides, Chiang failed to fight the Japanese with success.

Minor Allies

They fought more or less willingly for the Allies. Brazil was not very content with the developement in Argentina. Greece was still fighting the Germans, but first ties were already made. For the case. Poland and the Czech exile governments refused any talk. The German government was already talking to Luxemburg, Denmark and Belgium, but with no great successes. Norway also refused to talk. In Yougoslavia Tito had some difficulties and needed help. His partisan movement haf heavy losses.

Neutral States

Turkey, Sweden, Switzerland, Argentina and Spain tended more into the German direction. Portugal to the Allies. Despite great US pressure, no South American state had declared war on the Axis until now.

Battle of Monte , January 17th - June 6th 1944

The war in Italy was a mess for the Allies. The Germans had retreated to the Gustav line and despite a great numerical supremacy it wasn't possible to break into the German lines. One offensive was partly successful, but soon broke down shortly before the Abby of .

The old monastry had been built in 577 and rebuilt in 717. Many historical persons, like Carolus Magnus, visited the monastry. There were many paintings and sculptures such of Tizian, Raffael or Leonardo da Vinci. As well the library had over 1.200 important volumes. There was also the grave of the holy .

Because of this Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring ordered not to near the Monastry up to 300 m and not to include it in the defense plans. He also let his Allied counterparts know about this decision. Not trusting them totally he ordered to evacuate the monastry. Only few monks followed, but the treasures were brought to Rome. The monastry was not occupied.

The first unit to try to conquer the monastry were the US. They started their attack on January 17th. Eight days later the offensive was continued without a pause. But the situation didn't change. Only the losses.

The second wave were the New Zealandian 2nd Division under General Freyberg. And he had to see the very same results. Only losses. Therefore he demanded air support, which was granted. On February 14th the Allies were dropping leaflets with warnings for the inhabitants of the monastry. A day later 225 bombers dropped 565 ton of explosives and incrediences on the monastry. Only the Crypta remained intact. At this moment about 800 monks and other civilians were in the monastry. 427 died. Only now nearly all surviving monks were ready to go. Only one remained. He was seen for some weeks. Many German soldiers believed to see a ghost. Then he disappeared completely.

After this attack the Wehrmacht occupied the ruins, which were now a perfect fortress. In the next months the positions there could be hold. All attacks were fruitless.

On May 12th the Allies started another attempt to take this fortress by attacking the flanks while the 2nd Polish Corps was attacking frontally. The Germans were now barely holding the line, but they finally managed it, thanks to reinforcements. The offensive crushed and the Polish forces were driven out of the Colle Sant' Angelo they had taken three days before. There also a bear was caught. This bear was tame and so used for the Germans. It became pet of the 28. Panzerdivision "Richthofen".

After about 78.000 Allied and 25.000 German casualities June 6th came.

Operation Shingle, January 22nd - June 6th 1944

Even before the battle of Montecassino began, it was clear that the whole offensive would be bloody. So the Allies needed to circumvent the German lines somehow. And the only way to do so was another amphibious landing. This time Anzio was considered as the point of invasion. It was a flat area next to Rome. So the Allied plan was to land the troops there and simultaneously attack La Spezia harbour to sink the Kriegsmarine ships there. Here the first attack should be conducted by high flying strategic bombers. Soon after, while the fighters were returning for refuelling and repair, a carrier borne attack should be conducted.

For this a Task Force with the six light carriers USS Princeton, USS Langley, USS Bealleau Wood, USS Monterey, USS Independence and USS Cowpens guarded by USS West Virginia, USS Massachusetts, USS Alabama and USS New Jersey as well as eight cruisers and 22 destroyers were ordered to a point between Corsica and Toulon. Such a fleet would be considered save enough to deal with all problems.

In the dawn of January 22nd 1944 the Allies landed near Anzio and . At first German reistance was low. 200 Germans were captured, only 13 Allied soldiers had died, 97 further were wounded. It looked like a successful operation. Until the end of the day, 36.034 men and 3.064 vehicles could be landed.

Only little later US bombers attacked La Spezia, the first time since a month. Due to bad weather, the clouds were hanging deep, the US bombers missed the harbour and hit the town. 47 planes were shot down by flak and fighters.

As soon as the Luftwaffe fighters were returning to rearm, the carrier planes attacked. Of the 54 TBF Avanger and 144 F6F Hellcat fighters all torpedo bombers and 60 fighters in the role as fighter bombers attacked in two waves.

The flak was murderous. Not only the Germans had there one of the most defended places in Europe, Rheinmetall had delivered the first shells with proximity fuses. Indeed 59 of the attacking planes were shot down by the flak, many more damaged. The losses were so high, as the attack was conducted at low levels, where every German flak could be used.

And the result? The already damaged heavy cruiser Bolzano was now a burning wreckage. Also some smaller vessels were hit and sunk as well as some transport ships. Indeed the only ship not damaged was UJ 202, a Gabbiano class . But for the surprise for the US pilots no other warship was in the harbour.

The reason why was easy: The Germans had sortied. Not to attack the enemy but to move SMS Peter Strasser and the other units from Genua to La Spezia, as it was considered the better base. And nearly every ship was used for this task. Even new minefields were laid in the nights before. Due to an engine mishap of SMS Peter Strasser the German fleet was two hours late and therefore missed the attack completely. This was considered to be too much and too dangerous but in the end it was the right decision.

In the meantime the Trägergeschwader 186 under Fregattenkapitän Gerhard Scholz was not aware of an air strike until the bomber alert was given. Someone simply forgot to warn the comrades of the navy. The planes of this wing were Fw 190 T-1 (A-7 designed to carry torpedoes and to start and land from carriers). As he was ordered to attack ships off Anzio, the planes were just be prepared to do so, when he heard about the second attack. Soon he let his mechanics hurry up. Indeed the first planes were starting when the last were still armed.

The carrier attack forces had just in this moment completed their attack. But due to the heavy flak, the whole wing was scattered and had to find a formation again. And when they were returning, nobody remarked the following aircraft as enemy machines, as they thought that were own.

This was a bad error. When the first planes had landed, 72 FW 190 attacked. The planes were armed with bombs and torpedoes. The attack was so surprising that at first no fighter was launched or even flak was fired. Indeed even evasive manoeuvers were started was too late. And when the flak fired, they also fired on own machines. And more than one own plane was downed by the own flak of the Allied ships. Others were shot down while they landed. Once a single attack downed eight F6F trying to land on USS Cowpens. Three of the planes exploded on the and starting a fire on it. USS Indepence was hit by three torpedoes and 4 500 kg bombs. While she was burning she drifted away and foundered. USS Princeton was hit by a 500 kg bomb, which lead to great destruction and fires. Soon she was a burning wreck, which was scuttled by a destroyer. Four torpedoes and a 500 kg bomb were enough for USS Belleau Wood. USS Langley was damaged by near misses. USS Monterey and USS Cowpens could evade further damages. The destroyer USS Carmick was bombed and USS Fahrenholt was torpedoed and sunk. As the Germans had concentrated on the carriers, most other ships were not hit.

In the end 12 German planes were shot down. But therefore another 36 planes were lost, partly shot down, partly destroyed on the sinking ships. With only 49 planes, of which 5 had to be jettisoned soon after because of damages, the US fleet retreated. On their way back home the French submarine Iris, which had returned home from Barcelona a month ago and which was now on a training mission, had encountered the enemy fleet. She was soon in position and fired all four 55 c, bow torpedoes on USS West Virginia, which was about 1.500 m away. However, the eels missed the battleship only to hit USS Langley twice. The carrier was sunk. Iris had soon dived and so evaded a counter attack. The other ships were retreating with fast speed.

Scholz and his men landed in France to return to Italy only little later. However, like he wasn't contacted by the Luftwaffe, he failed to do the very same, so that no attack was flown against the retreating US fleet.

Therefore the ships off Anzio were attacked. The minesweeper USS Portent was a victim of mines, while LCI 20 and Flak-ship Palomares were sunk by bombs on January 22nd. The next day HMS Janus was torpedoed by a German plane while HMS Jervis was sunk by a Hs 293 missile. The first supply convoy a day later lost the hospital ship St. David, 2.702 grt, the destroyer USS Plunckett and the minesweeper USS Prevail by bombs. At Naples USS Mayo was sunk by another torpedo as was the freighter F.A.C. Muhlenberg. The following day USS YMS 30 was mined, sub chaser USS PC 676 bombed. U 223 under Oberleutnant Gerlach sank HMS . The other day LST 422 and LCI 32 were mined, LST 436 and two transports with over 14.000 grt sunk by fighter bombers. That fate had also the sub chaser USS SC 534. On January 27th the Germans didn't sink anything. However USS PT 201 is lost due to friendly fire. USS Sway sank the boat and killed Lt. General Bush, the commander of the 5th Allied Army. A day later HMS Spartan and the transport Samuel Huntington, 7.108 grt, were sunk by guided missiles. Several other ships were damaged.

Until January 29th 68.886 men, 508 guns and 237 tanks could be landed.

At land General Lucas, supreme commander, was acting very defensively as he had very little trust in this plan. He was the opinion Churchill had ordered yet another Dardanelles landing. That's why he was replaced by general Lucian Truscott on the very next day after the landing. And he ordered the 3rd US infantry division to advance further. After they had moved about another 12 km, a counter attack happened. The area north of Anzio was the main recreation line of the Afrika Corps, which now was at full strength again and had hidden to fool the US to do what they just did: Advancing. Soon the US division was enclosed. And the 1st British division was under attack as well and could not help them. Indeed they were forced to retreat and the German attack was only stopped by new forces just arriving.

These forces were not able to help the 3rd Division. And even new forces could not pernetrate the German defenses. So even with supplies delivered by air the pocket could not be held. So on February 3rd the 3rd Infantry division surrendered.

The Alllied forces and the Germans conduct several attacks, which all fail with great losses. So Kesselring ordered to stay in defense and prepare for counter strikes.

On June 6th the situation was the same as some days after the landing. Except the Germans had 10.000 dead or missed and 13.000 wounded, while the Allies had 18.200 dead or missed, 12.500 captured and 20.000 wounded.

At sea the Allies lost in February the destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones and the destroyer HMS Inglefield to Hs 293 missiles, despite jamming. The accuracy of this weapon was lowered dramatically. Transport Elihu Yale (7.176) and LCT 35 were losses to bombers, while Fort St. Nicholas (7.154 grt) was hit by a T-5 acoustic torpedo fired by U-410 (Oberleutnant Fenski). The very same fate had HMS LST 418, here the T-5 was fired by U-230 under Kapitänleutnat Siegmann. Also the light cruiser HMS Penelope is sunk by a T-5 fired by U-410, and a subsequent coup de grâce. Both sank, too, HMS LST 305 and USS LST 348.

Next month the Dutch troop transport Dempo (17.024 grt, 498 dead), the US ship Maiden Creek (6.165 grt) (both by U-371 (KLt. Mehl)) and William B. Wood (7.176 grt) (by U-952 (KLt. Curio) were sunk. Therefore U-343, U-450, U-392 and finally also U-223 were sunk. The latter sank shortly before being sunk herself the destroyer HMS Laforey. The next month U-455 was lost due to mines.

In a daring move Brandenburg soldiers with the help of Italian resistance fighters can intrude covertly into Naples harbour and destroy 4 enemy ships with about 30.000 grt as well as an important fuel pipeline. (Operation Uncle Sam).

Then came June 6th.

Capital ship deployments, February 1944

Allies:

Atlantic:

Battleships:

HMS Royal Sovereign

HMS Rodney HMS Nelson

HMS Duke of York

USS Arkansas

USS Texas

Carrier*:

HMS Furious

HMS Illustrious

USS Hornet USS Wasp (both to be sent to the Med) USS Franklin (just completed)

USS Bataan USS San Jacinto (both just completed)

Mediterranean

Battleships:

USS West Virginia

USS Alabama USS Massachusetts

USS New Jersey

Carrier:

USS Cowpens USS Monterey USS Cabot

Pacific

Battleships

USS New Mexico USS Mississippi USS Idaho

USS Tennessee USS California

USS Colorado USS Maryland

USS North Carolina

USS South Dakota USS Indiana

Carrier

USS Saratoga

USS Enterprise

USS Lexington USS Bunker Hill

Indian Ocean

Battleships:

HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Resolution

______

Axis:

Atlantic:

Battleships:

SMS Scharnhorst (Norway)** SMS Gneisenau (Germany)

SMS Tirpitz (Norway)

Carrier

SMS Graf Zeppelin (Germany)

SMS Weser (Germany (ex Seydlitz))

Mediterranean

Battleships:

SMS Preußen (all La Spezia, Littorio class) SMS Bayern SMS Sachsen

SMS SIT 1 (ex Andrea Doria, Venice)

Océan

Richelieu

Carrier:

SMS Peter Strasser (ex Aquila)

Pacific

Battleships:

Kongo Haruna

Fuso Yamashiro

Ise Hyuga (both hybrid carrier)

Nagato

Yamato Musashi

Carrier :

Shokaku Zuikaku

Zuiho

Ryuho

Junyo Hiyo

Chitose Chiyoda

* Note 1: CVE excluded. ** Note 2: As the Kaiser was reintroduced, the old suffix was revived.