Post by Diarist on Feb 20, 2017 16:07:07 GMT 1
When Admiral Canaris arrived for the morning briefing in the Wehrmachtamt General von Blomberg took him to one side. "I got your memorandum. Should I be worried?"
"About what?"
"Belgian and Dutch officers."
"They are probably just assigned to TRADOC. There are people from all around the world there. Has von Manstein presented his plan?"
"That's one reason why the Führer will be here this morning."
"This is a huge risk. You do realize that?"
"Only too well."
"Queen Wilhemina visited King Leopold in Brussels this weekend. Could be just routine."
"The Dutch love their neutrality."
As soon as Hitler arrived the conference began. "Oberst von Manstein has prepared a plan, mein Führer," von Blomberg announced.
Von Manstein first described the intelligence situation. Several sources indicating that the French intend responding therefore German forces must move silently and swiftly under the cover of darkness. They have studied their Italian campaign and their extensive use of rail transportation. Troops are planned to board trains after dark east of the demilitarized zone then travel to destinations in the west of the zone. He named Aachen, Cologne, Trier, Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken. The remaining forces will be consolidating zone territory east of the Rhine.
The Führer asked when can the operation can begin.
"We can move tonight, mein Führer."
"Then so be it. We have the element of surprise moving much earlier than they could ever imagine and we are using their own tactics against them. Victory will be ours. Excellent plan, von Manstein." With that he left the room leaving the military alone. There was an uncomfortable silence for at least a minute.
"Verdammt, von Manstein. That plan may even succeed." Keitel was the first to speak.
"It will need several miracles. All the French intelligence personnel going into hibernation for 12 hours. You can't take a hundred passenger trains out of the schedule without it going unnoticed. People will call home saying their train has been cancelled. Others will notice trains full of soldiers. Someone will notice that all the missing trains serve the zone. I'm trying to make the most of darkness by starting before midnight."
"The troops are armed?"
"Rifles and small arms only. No heavy equipment. We don't want to start a real war, do we?"
"Of course not."
"Gentlemen, Germany's future is in the hands of our capable Führer."
Canaris left the room with a sick feeling in his stomach. This plan may even work. Damn you, von Manstein!
"About what?"
"Belgian and Dutch officers."
"They are probably just assigned to TRADOC. There are people from all around the world there. Has von Manstein presented his plan?"
"That's one reason why the Führer will be here this morning."
"This is a huge risk. You do realize that?"
"Only too well."
"Queen Wilhemina visited King Leopold in Brussels this weekend. Could be just routine."
"The Dutch love their neutrality."
As soon as Hitler arrived the conference began. "Oberst von Manstein has prepared a plan, mein Führer," von Blomberg announced.
Von Manstein first described the intelligence situation. Several sources indicating that the French intend responding therefore German forces must move silently and swiftly under the cover of darkness. They have studied their Italian campaign and their extensive use of rail transportation. Troops are planned to board trains after dark east of the demilitarized zone then travel to destinations in the west of the zone. He named Aachen, Cologne, Trier, Kaiserslautern and Saarbrücken. The remaining forces will be consolidating zone territory east of the Rhine.
The Führer asked when can the operation can begin.
"We can move tonight, mein Führer."
"Then so be it. We have the element of surprise moving much earlier than they could ever imagine and we are using their own tactics against them. Victory will be ours. Excellent plan, von Manstein." With that he left the room leaving the military alone. There was an uncomfortable silence for at least a minute.
"Verdammt, von Manstein. That plan may even succeed." Keitel was the first to speak.
"It will need several miracles. All the French intelligence personnel going into hibernation for 12 hours. You can't take a hundred passenger trains out of the schedule without it going unnoticed. People will call home saying their train has been cancelled. Others will notice trains full of soldiers. Someone will notice that all the missing trains serve the zone. I'm trying to make the most of darkness by starting before midnight."
"The troops are armed?"
"Rifles and small arms only. No heavy equipment. We don't want to start a real war, do we?"
"Of course not."
"Gentlemen, Germany's future is in the hands of our capable Führer."
Canaris left the room with a sick feeling in his stomach. This plan may even work. Damn you, von Manstein!