Army of the West: The Weekly Reports of German Army Group B From Normandy to the West Wall by Wood James A

Author:Wood, James A.
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780811741439
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2016-01-06T16:00:00+00:00

For the Army Group High Command,

The Chief of General Staff,

Speidel

TO C.-IN-C. WEST, AUGUST 7, 1944

Below is submitted an extract from a report from 7th Army H.Q. submitted at 0350 hours on August 7, SS General Hausser has given spoken approval to this draft.

“Part II:

State of the troops in the rear zone:

As a result of a breakthrough by enemy tanks at the left end of the front, most of the divisions (77th, 91st, 275th, units of the 265th, units of the 353rd, 5th Parachute, 2nd SS Panzer, and 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Divisions) which have been fighting all the time from the start of the invasion without any rest and with few supplies reaching them, are all split up into small groups. They have fought their way separately back through the enemy lines. Groups of men, mostly without officers or N.C.O.s with them, are wandering aimlessly through the countryside in a general easterly or south-easterly direction, some following express instructions to rally there, and some following wild report of their orders. They are mostly heading for Bagnoles and Le Mans.

Most of these straggling groups are in a very bad condition. They are bringing only a part of their arms with them (only guns, revolvers and Tommy guns). Motorized and cavalry units still have a few machine guns and heavy infantry weapons, although most of them are in need of repair. Their clothing is in a terrible state. Many are without headgear and belt, and have worn out their boots. Many are going barefooted. Where they cannot obtain food from supply stores they are living off the country with no respect for property, and the hatred of the civil population and the terrorist activities are thus intensified. The terrorists have wiped out a considerable number of them. The parachute troops are especially unpopular with the people.

The morale of these straggling forces is badly shaken. The enemy command of the air has contributed largely to this, as it makes it impossible to steer a straight course by day in the difficult countryside. In addition there is the enemy superiority in tanks and heavy weapons of all kinds, and his greater supplies of ammunition. The troops have had no proper rations for weeks. There is no radio apparatus available. Newspapers never reach the men, although the enemy produces daily “News for the troops” [“Nachrichten für die Truppe”], which is cleverly written, and is being dropped in great numbers from enemy aircraft. Such a state of affairs cannot be endured by even the best troops for any length of time without having an unfortunate effect. In addition, rumors are being circulated by enemy agents: the second attempt to murder the Führer and Himmler has been successful—the Russians have entered Germany— it is useless to continue the war, you have already lost it—why not go home and not sacrifice your life at the last minute for a lost cause.

It must be stated that the greater part of the stragglers are trying to return to their former division.

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