April 1939-Continued Preparations for War
(above) OPERATION FALL WEISS—Production: A parlementary scandal has interrupted production. A 15% reduction in efficiency is expected through April. This activity will delay the deployment of about half the tank destroyers, and all the artillery for the infantry.
This short-fall in production will not affect line divisions, only auxiliary battillions, and will not delay the opening of hostilites against Poland.
OPERATION FALL WEISS—South-Eastern Border Area: The build-up continues with unit assembly areas generally one full province from the border. Along the southern border General Paulus commands the 2nd Army with Field Marshall von Kluge in overall command. The job of this army is to simply contain the Poles, and keep them spread-out as much as possible.
Second army consists of two infantry corps (8 divisions) under Lt General Volkmann and Blaskowtz who will defend the border along a line from Grunberg to the south-east province of Beuthen. The 10th Mountain Army (3 divisions) commanded by General Dietl will refuse the flank at the far southern end of the line. The mobile reserve XVIII corps (3 divisions) under Lt. General Dietrich will be available to counter-attack and prevent any possible breakthrough in this region.
OPERATION FALL WEISS—Ruhr and Rhine Fortresses: General Model is in overall command from Stuttguart, and he commands two armys. The duty of these forces are to hold the line and prevent any French breakthrough.
In the Southern Rhine region, 1st Army (12 divisions) under General von Leeb will occupy the fortresses from Landau to the Swiss border. This force consists of three infantry corps under under Generals von Axlhelm, Kampfe, and Henrici.
The northern Ruhr region will be defended by 7th Army (16 division) under General von Salmuth. Three corps under Lt. Generals; Brand, Engelbrech, and Hell are arranged for defense-in-depth around the province of Saarbruck. The reserve corps under Lt. General von Falkenhorst is positioned between Bitburgh and Bonn to counter-attack on the flank, and prevent any possible breakout to the north. The reserves may also be SR'd south to plug any impending gaps along the Rhine.
Note: Corps and Divisional leaders were selected with an emphisis on Fortress Buster skills. These skills will come in useful for diversionary and flanking attacks if the French unwisely attempt a frontal assault.
(above) OPERATION FALL WEISS—Production: A parlementary scandal has interrupted production. A 15% reduction in efficiency is expected through April. This activity will delay the deployment of about half the tank destroyers, and all the artillery for the infantry.
This short-fall in production will not affect line divisions, only auxiliary battillions, and will not delay the opening of hostilites against Poland.
OPERATION FALL WEISS—South-Eastern Border Area: The build-up continues with unit assembly areas generally one full province from the border. Along the southern border General Paulus commands the 2nd Army with Field Marshall von Kluge in overall command. The job of this army is to simply contain the Poles, and keep them spread-out as much as possible.
Second army consists of two infantry corps (8 divisions) under Lt General Volkmann and Blaskowtz who will defend the border along a line from Grunberg to the south-east province of Beuthen. The 10th Mountain Army (3 divisions) commanded by General Dietl will refuse the flank at the far southern end of the line. The mobile reserve XVIII corps (3 divisions) under Lt. General Dietrich will be available to counter-attack and prevent any possible breakthrough in this region.
OPERATION FALL WEISS—Ruhr and Rhine Fortresses: General Model is in overall command from Stuttguart, and he commands two armys. The duty of these forces are to hold the line and prevent any French breakthrough.
In the Southern Rhine region, 1st Army (12 divisions) under General von Leeb will occupy the fortresses from Landau to the Swiss border. This force consists of three infantry corps under under Generals von Axlhelm, Kampfe, and Henrici.
The northern Ruhr region will be defended by 7th Army (16 division) under General von Salmuth. Three corps under Lt. Generals; Brand, Engelbrech, and Hell are arranged for defense-in-depth around the province of Saarbruck. The reserve corps under Lt. General von Falkenhorst is positioned between Bitburgh and Bonn to counter-attack on the flank, and prevent any possible breakout to the north. The reserves may also be SR'd south to plug any impending gaps along the Rhine.
Note: Corps and Divisional leaders were selected with an emphisis on Fortress Buster skills. These skills will come in useful for diversionary and flanking attacks if the French unwisely attempt a frontal assault.
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