BlairWitch749
Banned
A COMPROMISED CHOICE
At the fuhrer's military conference January 1941
Present were Hitler, Jodl, Keitel, Von Thoma, Halder, Brauchitsch, Goring, Raeder and their associated staffs discussing the upcoming deployment of German troops to Africa
Hitler: General Von Thoma please tell all the men here what you've told me about your visit to the Libyan front
Thoma: Yes my fuhrer. The Italians have been completely routed. Their 10th army was lost with over 100,000 prisoners against just two or three British divisions which hardly lost any men at all. The British have complete air superiority and without our help the Italians will be quickly pushed out of the entire country. I recommend the introduction of German ground troops which has already been approved along with air units. It would seem 4 mechanized divisions would be the maximum that could be supported and the minimum for victory in Egypt.
Hitler: I have allotted three divisions for this task General
Thoma: That may not be enough my fuhrer. If we just wish to block to the British and not conduct any offensive operations only one division would be needed. Any other course except for one division or four is not advisable. It would be better for us to give up on the whole enterprise and let the Italians deal with it themselves.
Hitler: I have promised Signor Mussolini an expeditionary corps and will honor that arrangement, I do accept your idea for a 4th division to be added on the condition that after victory in Egypt they be made available for operations against Russia. Generalfeldmarshal Keitel please arrange for the 7th Panzer division to be sent to Naples for work in Africa
Keitel: I will issue the orders
Hitler: Now we need a commander for Africa. I am inclined to promote Rommel from 7th Panzer especially since we are going to use his division
Keitel: He is too ambitious my fuhrer. He also doesn't stay in touch with high command. Due to our need to cooperate with the Italians in this theater I think he could cause a lot of friction... there are other officers who could be more diplomatic and still have the gifts to command an armored corps
Hitler: General Von Thoma, you have worked with the Italians in Spain, would you accept command of our Africa Corps?
Thoma: Although I have developed knowledge of the Italian army and worked with them, this would create problems my fuhrer. Their high command is well aware of my negative opinions of their military. To appoint me would cause serious problems and they would not cooperate with me. Perhaps I could serve on the staff but it should be another officer in charge of the theater... I am so sorry my fuhrer
Hitler: Your points are taken General Von Thoma. I shall keep you out of the theater if this is true that the Commando Supremo doesn't care for you. Gentlemen I want to hear suggestions of a commanding officer
A few names were thrown out, Von Funk, Guderian, Hoth, Reinhardt, Kirchner and Hoeppner. All were rejected for different reasons although most stemmed from their important assignments in the upcoming invasion of Russia and that they couldn't be spared for this back water theater.
Thoma: I have a suggestion my fuhrer
Hitler: Go ahead
Thoma: General Von Manstein of 38th infantry corps
Hitler: I was planning to give him 56th Panzer Corps for Barbarossa. That man is extremely clever it was he who developed our successful march on France. He is not much a National Socialist though
Thoma: He is a brilliant staff officer my fuhrer and well versed in infantry and armored warfare. Since he comes from a staff background he will cooperate much more fully with our own and the Italian general staff. His record is exemplary.
Hitler: What do you gentlemen think about Manstein
Halder: A tough as stone officer my fuhrer. His stubborness and drive got his plan for France approved. His command of 38th corps was also among the best in the army, he would be a wise choice.
The other officers in the room nodded in agreement
Keitel: I have disagreed with him over the years but I must admit he has been right many times he would be a great choice my fuhrer.
Hitler: Then its settled Manstein will command our Africa Corps. Schmundt I want you to go pick up Manstein and have him meet with me in two days before he entrains for Italy. You all have your orders this conference is over!
to be continued....
hope this is off to a good start
At the fuhrer's military conference January 1941
Present were Hitler, Jodl, Keitel, Von Thoma, Halder, Brauchitsch, Goring, Raeder and their associated staffs discussing the upcoming deployment of German troops to Africa
Hitler: General Von Thoma please tell all the men here what you've told me about your visit to the Libyan front
Thoma: Yes my fuhrer. The Italians have been completely routed. Their 10th army was lost with over 100,000 prisoners against just two or three British divisions which hardly lost any men at all. The British have complete air superiority and without our help the Italians will be quickly pushed out of the entire country. I recommend the introduction of German ground troops which has already been approved along with air units. It would seem 4 mechanized divisions would be the maximum that could be supported and the minimum for victory in Egypt.
Hitler: I have allotted three divisions for this task General
Thoma: That may not be enough my fuhrer. If we just wish to block to the British and not conduct any offensive operations only one division would be needed. Any other course except for one division or four is not advisable. It would be better for us to give up on the whole enterprise and let the Italians deal with it themselves.
Hitler: I have promised Signor Mussolini an expeditionary corps and will honor that arrangement, I do accept your idea for a 4th division to be added on the condition that after victory in Egypt they be made available for operations against Russia. Generalfeldmarshal Keitel please arrange for the 7th Panzer division to be sent to Naples for work in Africa
Keitel: I will issue the orders
Hitler: Now we need a commander for Africa. I am inclined to promote Rommel from 7th Panzer especially since we are going to use his division
Keitel: He is too ambitious my fuhrer. He also doesn't stay in touch with high command. Due to our need to cooperate with the Italians in this theater I think he could cause a lot of friction... there are other officers who could be more diplomatic and still have the gifts to command an armored corps
Hitler: General Von Thoma, you have worked with the Italians in Spain, would you accept command of our Africa Corps?
Thoma: Although I have developed knowledge of the Italian army and worked with them, this would create problems my fuhrer. Their high command is well aware of my negative opinions of their military. To appoint me would cause serious problems and they would not cooperate with me. Perhaps I could serve on the staff but it should be another officer in charge of the theater... I am so sorry my fuhrer
Hitler: Your points are taken General Von Thoma. I shall keep you out of the theater if this is true that the Commando Supremo doesn't care for you. Gentlemen I want to hear suggestions of a commanding officer
A few names were thrown out, Von Funk, Guderian, Hoth, Reinhardt, Kirchner and Hoeppner. All were rejected for different reasons although most stemmed from their important assignments in the upcoming invasion of Russia and that they couldn't be spared for this back water theater.
Thoma: I have a suggestion my fuhrer
Hitler: Go ahead
Thoma: General Von Manstein of 38th infantry corps
Hitler: I was planning to give him 56th Panzer Corps for Barbarossa. That man is extremely clever it was he who developed our successful march on France. He is not much a National Socialist though
Thoma: He is a brilliant staff officer my fuhrer and well versed in infantry and armored warfare. Since he comes from a staff background he will cooperate much more fully with our own and the Italian general staff. His record is exemplary.
Hitler: What do you gentlemen think about Manstein
Halder: A tough as stone officer my fuhrer. His stubborness and drive got his plan for France approved. His command of 38th corps was also among the best in the army, he would be a wise choice.
The other officers in the room nodded in agreement
Keitel: I have disagreed with him over the years but I must admit he has been right many times he would be a great choice my fuhrer.
Hitler: Then its settled Manstein will command our Africa Corps. Schmundt I want you to go pick up Manstein and have him meet with me in two days before he entrains for Italy. You all have your orders this conference is over!
to be continued....
hope this is off to a good start