France: GAF situation report for Aug 16, possible over estimate of strength of Allied...

HW 1/3177

1944 Aug 18

France: GAF situation report for Aug 16, possible over estimate of strength of Allied forces in thrust over line Chateaudun-Chartres-Dreux, all air activity hindered by weather; 7th Army received orders to withdraw to north-south line east of Flers; lines of 81st Corpa and 352nd Division, Aug 16; 3rd Air fleet to move to Rheims, Aug 17; 64th Corps forming anti-tank defensive strong-points south of Loire, shortage of anti-tank weapons; GAG Station Orleans reported attacked and destroyed by 100 Allied tanks; fuel oil at La Pallice destroyed through Allied action; 5th Fighter Division West France withdrawn from operations, tasks taken over by 4th Fighter Division; von Kluge reported situation both sides of Falaise necessitated quickest withdrawal across Orne, Aug 17; 2nd SS Panzer Corps to make concentric attack to clear up situation caused by Allied penetration from Morteaux to north-west of Trun; 1st SS Panzer Corps and 74th Corps to be subordinated to 7th Army on instructions from Army Group B; no fuel arrived 7th Army to evening Aug 17; order from Hitler to CinC West for the movement of Army Group G to make contact with Army Group B and for 11th Panzer Division to act as rearguard in Rhone Valley, 62nd Corps with 148th and 157th Reserve Divisions to withdraw to Franco-Italian Alpine position, fortresses on french west and south coasts to be held to last man, Marseilles and Toulon to be held by one division each; Toulon destruction ordered by CinC 19th Army, Aug 17; situation summary at 1800 hours Aug 16 signed Blaskowitz, Allies succeeded gaining foothold 19th Army area between Cap Negre and Cap Roux, and in area south of Draguingnan, thrusting through Les Maures mountains, estimated at four divisions plus armour and paratroops, German troops no anti-tank weapons, main disembarkation area Gulf of Tropez, anticipate Allied intention to thrust in west-north-west direction to cut off Toulon and Marseilles.

Naval Headlines: two 1,200 ton transport U-boats in Bordeaux to specially fitted probably for Far East; Concarneau under tank attack, terrorists said to have occupied inner town; Menton harbour demolished and Antibes harbour fouled; HQ Admiral South Coast France moving towards Lyons to avoid Allied air attacks; U-boat Base Spezia to be moved to Genoa.

Japanese ambassador, Berlin: effects of Allied air raids on German production, Aug 11; German supplies of raw materials, Aug 12.

Coversheet not included.

sx939

Public Record(s)

Open Document, Open Description