by Gee, Colin
For the family of Charley Bluebear there was no prouder moment than that when President Truman requested permission to hold the legendary weapons, which had accompanied them to the presentation ceremony. Except possibly the moment when their son had to dip his huge form slightly to enable the President to slip that most precious of medals over their son’s head. That being the moment Tsali Sagonegi Yona of the Aniyunwiya Tribe, named as Cherokee by the Creek Indians, named as 2nd Lieutenant Charley Bluebear by the US Army, and known both jokingly and seriously as Moose by his friends, became the holder of a Medal of Honor, earned as a brave warrior of the Great European War, and a legend and example to his people to be spoken of for generations to come.
The tank regiment, supported by rider infantry supplied by Artem’yev closed on Winterhausen, securing the town and taking up defensive positions whilst replenishment of fuel and ammunition was organised.
Artem’yev received orders to form a line starting on Winterhausen west to Maisenbach as the 12th’s Combat Command ‘A’ had been considerably more successful, dealing heavily with his comrades from the 243rd Rifle Division, who had had neither the benefit of tanks and heavy anti-tank support nor of favourable terrain.
The Colonel smiled to himself, only just now noticing the bloodstain where a wood splinter had slashed his left thigh.
It also helped that the Americans had been overconfident and inexperienced; a very bad combination.
However, he had seen enough to know that they would learn, and when they got it right, there would be a bill to pay.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
Sun Tzu, the Art of War
CHAPTER 49 – THE WEAKNESS?
1355 hrs 10th August 1945, Headquarters, US Forces in Europe, Trianon Palace Hotel, Versailles, France.
“Dear God.”
Apart from the normal analysis post-battle, there was little else to be said that made sense that afternoon.
It would be necessary to know what went wrong so that there were no repeats and early reports suggested some leadership and support failings.
Combat Command ‘B’, 12th Armored had ceased to exist in all but name and regardless of where the blame lay, the loss of life was appalling. As usual, Ike took the weight fully on his own shoulders.
The proposed counter-attack at Fritzlar had gone forward as planned and blunted Soviet efforts, retaking Fritzlar, or more accurately, what was left of the town. However, the drive had only gained one mile beyond the ruins before being halted in turn.
He had spent some of his morning chewing out his officers over the failure of the new 15th Armored to move forward and attack.
Now in his hand he held a report detailing what had happened to one of his formations that had discharged its orders that morning, and it made appalling reading.
‘Perhaps the Almighty had shown his hand and stopped the green division from receiving similar treatment?’
In the main, the air support promised by the USAAF and RAF had proven excellent. Allied fighters had protected the armored columns well, inflicting palpable losses on the Russian air regiments who tried to get through them. This enabled Combat Command’s ‘A’ and ‘R’ of the 12th Armoured to discharge their function and inflict great damage on enemy forces south of Wurzburg, all at a small cost in lives and equipment.
9th US Armored’s more modest attack had also achieved all it set out to do, and at even lower cost in lives, the most valuable of a General’s assets.
The air attacks slated for the cancelled Göttingen operation went ahead, and resulted in modest casualties for Eisenhower’s valuable ground-attack assets as fair exchange for huge disruption to the Soviet drive on and around Göttingen. An overnight RAF bomber raid on Northeim had been confirmed as having wrecked every crossing point on the Rhume River, including the two recently constructed by enemy engineers.
Running north and west from Northeim, every crossing point on the Rhume and Ilme Rivers had now been dropped in an effort to hinder movement and logistics on the northern side of the pocket.
The Russians were doing the same to the bridges to the west of the trapped troops, destroying or damaging every bridge on the River Weser between Reinhardshagen and Gieselwerder.
Fortunately, their efforts to destroy the crossing at Lippoldsburg had failed, partially because of some excellent work by USAAF Mustangs in defence and partially ensured by the presence of two full AAA battalions whose only purpose in life was to shoot down anything in range wearing a red star.
Again, the failure of the 15th Armored could be seen as fortuitous, as the changing situation now meant that a thrust aimed at Beverungen would be more productive. In addition, one of the few successful photo-reconnaissance missions of late had confirmed an absence of significant armored forces on that possible advance axis. A second mission to establish enemy forces around Boffzen and Holminden had similarly turned up nothing of note, making the whole area appear ripe for a more involved counter-thrust when assets permitted.
US Intelligence presently slated only the Soviet 3rd Army in the area, part of which had been given a bloody nose at Hildesheim. Intel also credited the formation with only rifle corps and a single tank regiment, the latter being identified as away from the area of immediate interest.
The news about the radar capability test was excellent and the information was already spreading through his Commanders, cascading down to where it could be employed usefully.
All in all things could be worse, although Eisenhower did not feel that was an appropriate thought for a Commanding officer.
He was comforted by the fact that the units that had broken through at Ingolstadt had halted without moving into contact with the cavalry or the French Armored division rushed to seal the break.
Overnight bombing claimed modest returns, although there was the one report being evaluated as Ike discussed the matter with himself.
‘Fuel? Is that their weakness?’
‘Could it be true?’
More and more he found himself mentally fencing with his thought processes.
‘Maybe the shrinks would have a field day with that one.’
He rapidly looked in his own pile of reports in search of the USAAF general submission for the previous night’s operations.
Eisenhower found and read it to himself, urging impartiality and no pre-judgement.
He found the section he sought and lit up.
‘669th Bombardment Squadron reports state that whilst bombing enemy communications at Höfartsmühle and Oberwöhr they came under anti-aircraft fire and returned fire, causing an explosion and fire on the ground to the south of Oberwöhr.’
The report also stated that one A-26 Invader was lost on the mission but Ike did not read further, his mind working, arguing against himself.
‘This isn’t for you to work out, Give it to your staff.’
A reasonable statement.
‘Yes, you’re right. But what if it’s true?’
‘Then we know how to stop them.’
Eisenhower dragged himself out of his thoughts and beckoned an Air Force staff Major forward.
The man was new and there had been no time to get acquainted informally. The previous incumbent had yet to be recovered from the I.G.Farben building.
“Major, I want you and your team to work this 669th report and anything that ties in with it. I’m looking at enemy fuel supplies, their guarding of them, their response when we attack them and I want to know specifically which enemy areas have been affected by successful attacks on fuel supplies. Tie in with Colonel Wright and Lieutenant Colonel Rossiter on this.”
“Yes Sir,” the young officer given clear directions by his commander saluted and turned.
“Oh and Major, quic
kly please.”
“Sir.”
The new arrival was now in possession of clear directions and a clearer indication of the importance of his project, and he hurried off to find the two officers in question.
The next report covered action in Denmark; or rather, inaction, as the Germans had the Soviets nicely bottled up. McCreery was content with the two units used and anticipated no problems, especially as they were fully intact divisions from the Danish Occupation.
Preparing to accept more reports from a steadily growing line of staff officers, he noticed his European Marine pushing his way through and noted with an inner laugh that no one disputed his rite of passage.
The Colonel’s report was simple.
“Sir, I can now confirm that Berlin surrendered yesterday at approximately 2100 hrs. I am unable to furnish more detail at this time.”
Not unexpected obviously, and Eisenhower had given the commander of the beleaguered garrison permission to make whatever call he felt was right.
To be frank, militarily its resistance had been of little value, especially as there was no ground attack, just a relentless barrage of artillery shells and bombs to which the defenders had no reply.
Civilian casualties had mounted along with the military losses as the hours went past.
Obviously, the enclave had pinned some enemy assets in place that could now be released, but not many.
Of more concern was the effect on the German people.
“Sam, please ensure this message and any relating to it are passed to the Council immediately and request that we hold a meeting to discuss the effects of it as soon as is possible.”
Rossiter smiled.
“Yes Sir. For your information, Generals Guderian and Von Vietinghoff are in this building as we speak and receiving a brief on the military situation. The rest of the council is on its way already. I have been asked to request a full meeting with you.”
Eisenhower pursed his lips.
“Well no-one ever accused them of being inefficient, did they Sam?”
The Marine shook his head slowly, understanding the deeper thoughts involved, which Ike put in to spoken word anyway.
“So, how did they know I wonder eh?”
With nothing to say on that point, Rossiter wisely said nothing.
The General looked at his watch.
“Set it up for 1630 and we will start with the gentlemen who are here, although I suspect it will be all of them.”
“As do I Sir.”
“Anything else Sam?” enquired Ike with a casualness he did not feel.
“Sir, the Spanish broadcast was successfully transmitted at 1330 hrs as you instructed. No reports of reaction as yet,” and to confirm the answer to his commander’s initial enquiry the Colonel continued, “There is nothing else to report that I am aware of, Sir.”
“Thank you Sam,” and appreciating the dark circles under the man’s eyes Ike added, “Have a break Colonel, that’s an order.”
“I will Sir.”
Saluting, the Marine did a parade turn and made way for the next in line.
Ike looked at the young officer as a father to a child.
“OK Anne-Marie, what’s happening with our French Allies?”
2056 hrs 10th August 1945. Headquarters, US Forces in Europe, Trianon Palace Hotel, Versailles, France.
Grabbing some quiet time in his room to eat his evening meal, Eisenhower pondered the afternoon’s events.
The German Council had met as planned, with all members except the two allied officers present, something not wasted on either Eisenhower or the Germans.
By the time the brief meeting was complete, the American Commander-in-chief was in no doubt that the fall of Berlin would not affect the resistance and spirit of the German unless it was in a positive way.
Information on volunteers from amongst the ranks of German POW’s showed a very high rate, much higher than the acceptance rate, for many had been kept in appalling conditions since capture, partially because of the huge numbers placing strain on a creaking supply system but also because of some highly regrettable examples of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. One day there would be an investigation into all that and no one in authority would avoid blame, that he knew.
Meanwhile, marrying the volunteers with equipment and then creating a useful field force would take time, but the overall input was encouraging throughout the twenty-nine minute assembly.
There was also a part of the General, actually more honestly the basic soldier, to whom the concept of controlling German soldiers in the field appealed, which it definitely did, but he was not totally sure he wanted to know why.
When he raised the matter of the SS and the French, there was no adverse comment and after the meeting Eisenhower was not sure if he thought there would have been some, or even, should have been some. None the less, that hurdle never existed except in his and De Gaulle’s minds, so the decision was now his to make.
He would discuss that with his senior commanders on the telephone this very evening.
He looked at his watch, coming up to 2100 hrs, confirming that now was the time for his call to McCreery.
A knock on the door received his normal invitation to enter and in stepped Rossiter and Hood, both very clearly men on a mission, albeit he sensed separate ones.
Both men came to attention and stood silently, expecting their General to make the decision for them.
Eisenhower smiled and gave a small laugh, enough to take the small tension out of the situation.
“OK, rank has its privileges, spit it out Thomas.”
Both visitors relaxed.
“Sir, General McCreery reports severe Soviet activity on his front around and to the north of Hamburg. His initial interpretation is a focussed attack on the city with diversions to the North. He is unable to confirm facts at this time and needs to get a hold of the situation. He will ring you as soon as he has firm information but he requests the normal call be set aside for now.”
Eisenhower had to concede that was quite reasonable and McCreery did not strike him as a man easily roused, so there must be something to this report. Again Ike’s inner humour made itself known as the thought that McCreery would not get roused even if his house were on fire and burning down around his ears at four in the morning; he would probably just stroll out immaculately dressed as always and holding a cup of tea.
“OK Thomas, thank you. Keep me informed.”
Hood turned and left the room.
Eisenhower had chosen Hood to go first so that he could be gone, in case the Marine officer was here on OSS business.
He was not.
“Sir, the matter of the raid on Oberwöhr you asked us to look at. We have found some more information. I confess that it was all missed initially.”
Ike’s silence drew him further in.
“A matter of geography unfortunately. One report says ‘south of Oberwöhr’, the next says ‘East of Höfartsmühle’”, and producing a folded sheet of paper he continued, “Or more importantly in this case, the important report states ‘South-west of Münchsmünster’.”
Passing the paper to his General like it was solid gold, which in a way it was, he spoke to illustrate further the words Ike was reading.
“A Black Widow of the 425th was searching around his designated area, centred on Landshut. He became aware of enemy aircraft and pursued them, shooting both down. This receives a great deal of coverage in his report, as you will see. However, he also speaks of the large ground fire south-west of Münchsmünster, and witnessing additional explosions on the ground during his observations. Admittedly, he didn’t stay long as the light from the fire would not have been welcome but his report is timed at 0250 hrs when he claims shooting the last of the two Soviets down, whereas the 669th attacked their designated target at 0200 hrs on the button and place the secondary attack at approximately 0208 hrs.”
“So something was burning and causing secondary explosions.”
It w
as not a question, just a General thinking aloud.
‘Was there more’ he wondered?
There was and a second piece of paper was handed over.
“This report was delayed because it’s an RAF report, complicated by being of Polish origin.”
Eisenhower understood as it was ever thus in his cosmopolitan forces.
“A Halifax of 301 Polish Squadron was returning from bombing Nabburg when it suffered damage, losing radio, compass, everything of note except good old Mark 1 standard eyeball.”
Out of respect, Rossiter completed the section.
“They also lost the radio operator, flight engineer, and navigator.”
Both officers gave a respectful moment of silence, naturally and unbidden.
“They were already running late as you can see, and according to the report the pilot just needed some sort of ground reference so they could make sure they were going to go the right way home. They saw a big fire and steered towards it, hoping to catch sight of something on the ground to direct them. He and his gunner are adamant they made a positive identification, and they support their statement well as they were both on missions to nearby Regensburg in the last war. ”
He stopped for an instant. ‘Is this a new war or just a continuation of the last one?’
“They identified the bends on the Danube near Kelheim and were able to orient themselves and return without further problems.”
Eisenhower checked the timings on all three reports and then looked up as a signal for the Marine to press on.
“They state that there was still a considerable fire with visible explosions at 0330 hrs, positively identified as the Dürnbucher Forest.”
“The Dürnbucher Forest?”
Rossiter’s feature took on a wry smile that persisted through his words. Placing a map on the round table he tapped his finger on the Durnbucherforst.
“Yes Sir, the Dürnbucher Forest,” and accompanying each statement with an imaginary line to the Forest he continued, “South of Oberwöhr, east of Höfartsmühle and south-west of Münchsmünster.”
