Update:
Eve of Battle
Chancellery June 16, 1941
A.H.: We stand on the brink of glory, for the Reich to expand into the lands to the East. I have reviewed the troop dispositions and all seems to be in place for the greatest Blitzkrieg of all time. Let us have one more comprehensive review on all fronts and then I shall decide the fateful day.
Schacht: We temporarily halted production of some units in our bid to upgrade all Eastern Front forces to the latest equipment and doctrines developed by our stalwart German engineers and scientists. Most of these units have now resumed production, as we cannot reliably refit forces committed to combat. Further upgrades will be made, but on units serving in the Fatherland and points west.
A.H.: What units remain to be refitted in the East?
Schacht: We have eight Mk-III armored divisions that can now be refit to Mk-IV type, when we have the opportunity. We have three Stuka squadrons that can be refit to Panzerknackers. All other units in the East are at their peak at this moment.
A.H.: And in the West?
Schacht: In the West we are continuing to refit all the infantry divisions on the Atlantic shoreline. We have three light armored divisions that we would like to bring up to full armored divisions when we can. Finally, we have a full wing of interceptors awaiting the new FW-190’s.
Raeder: Herr Schacht does not mention that my surface ships are in need of some refitting as well. They are all using obsolete camouflage equipment, though to be sure this is not crucial at present. In fact, my admirals are beginning to advocate scrapping this brigade and moving to some firepower enhancement selection. This is not decided.
Schacht: And here is our force structure as of June 16. Keep in mind that we have produced some units and then sent the complete equipment Table of Organization to one of our allies for their use. We have supplied two garrisons to Finland, though one entire division was lost at sea, and one to Romania. We helped Romania acquire two transport ships and we facilitated the transfer of Romania’s naval bomber squadron to Italy. In return for all this we acquired one unused transport aircraft squadron from Italy. With disbanding some older vessels and the combat losses from Grand Admiral Raeder’s valiant battles against the monolithic Royal Navy, it brings us to this point.
Schacht: The seeds for this force were laid in 1936, and we have been mostly successful. In fact we have exceeded the plan in several areas. We have fallen short though in two areas, mechanized infantry and close air support squadrons. With the former, we did allow some months to pass once between research projects but really, all gave their best efforts. The plan was simply too ambitious. Regarding the CAS, we should have run two production lines and been done with it. We anticipate both these deficits to be made up in the coming months.
Canaris: Gentlemen, this is the Abwehr’s best estimate of what we face in the East and West. The numbers are daunting, but our intelligence suggests that the vast majority of the Soviet forces field outdated equipment and poorly trained levies. As you are aware, many of the most gifted Russian officers were purged not long ago, reducing their effect on the battles to come. One worrisome point is their greater experience with marshy terrain and arctic weather conditions.
A.H.: That is of little concern! They are free to muddle about in their swamps as our tanks roar past, and our timetable forecasts complete victory before the Siberian chills will trouble us. The Wehrmacht will enjoy the snug drawing rooms in Moscow when the cold winds blow.
Some of the General Staff shuffle their feet at this outburst, then Canaris regains the floor. “I present the opposition forces and capabilities to you, mein Fuehrer, and to the High Command. I am sure that those gathered here have the means to overcome any difficulties of war or weather. For example, I am aware that we are researching several logistic technologies and arctic warfare methodology even as we speak. At any rate, here is the intelligence summary of our principal opponents and potential ally.
Canaris: Note that the weather is clear and dry, perfect for military operations. We should expect rainy weather to set in soon however, and our agents report an occurrence in Russia known as rasputitsa which is by all accounts a sea of mud that hampers all movement except on well paved roads. Take this season into account.
Rudolf Hess mumbles something about royalty under his breath. He is looking increasingly haggard and seems distracted. After a glance in his direction the meeting continues.
A.H.: We are all aware that there are a lot of Russians, I believe. There were a lot of Frenchmen, too, as I recall. Nonetheless, good preparation is necessary to ensure success, and we are prepared, are we not?
So, we have heard from our industry and our intelligence community, but we need the Wehrmacht to bring our plans to fruition. Let us recap the war plans for Barbarossa so that all are marching in the same direction.
Jodl leads the assemblage to a map table depicting western Russia. Even with the German conquests in all directions the Soviet Union dwarfed the current Reich. “In accordance with your wishes, mein Fuehrer, the General Staff has prepared this plan. We recognize the strategic objectives of Moscow and the Donets Basin, continuing to the riches of Baku. It is also desirable to capture or cut off the ports in the Baltic Sea, Murmansk and Archangel to deny any succor from England or others. It is clear from the map that the Soviets have a great deal of space to trade for time, and we have seen in the intelligence reports that they have a considerable industry, particularly considering that they will be fighting a defensive war. Their manpower assets exceed ours, even with our allies counted in.
The one area that the General Staff wishes to focus on as the Soviet center of gravity is their ability to field an effective army from their vast resources. While it takes little time to replace the individual soldiers in a division, it takes a great deal of time and effort to form a new division from component parts. Our intent is to capture or eliminate Soviet formations whenever and wherever possible, forcing their industry and recruitment into the difficult task of creation, rather than repair.
Here is the basic operational plan. Phase one is two concentrated assaults to breach the border defenses at Grodno and Kowel, exploited immediately by forces as seen in red, with the goal of cutting supply to Soviet defenders in Belarus. When this evolution is complete, our mobile forces will initiate phase two, seen in yellow, seeking to capture vital objectives while pocketing the defenders if possible. Phase three, in violet, is a rough plan as regards timing, but it is our current best estimate for follow on operations.
Most of the initial fighting will be done by the Wehrmacht. Our Hungarian and Romanian allies will be tasked with containment of Soviet troops and elimination of pockets when the time is ripe for this. In Finland, we will be working to take Murmansk and the rest of the Soviet portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula.”
Goring: As in Poland and France, upon declaration of war we will sortie every fighter and interceptor over the front, seeking to sweep Russian aircraft from the skies. On day two the various bombers will be released to support the Heer and disrupt enemy movement and reinforcement efforts.
Raeder: The Kriegsmarine has the Tirpitz SAG stationed to engage the Russian Navy, should it sortie. We will provide shore bombardment in every shoreline province assaulted. Two transport groups are standing by for amphibious landings and troop movements. Operations in the Atlantic continue unabated. We have relocated one wolfpack into the Mediterranean to offset in part the loss of the Italian Grand Fleet.
A.H.: “Alles in Ordnung! Herr Ribbentrop, send that Bolshevik Stalin our regards and include our declaration of war on the Soviet Union. Commanders of the Wehrmacht, show the bear our steel teeth!
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