Western Europe: Army Group B orders 1st Army to develop a defence position along...

HW 1/3198

1944 Sept 1

Western Europe: Army Group B orders 1st Army to develop a defence position along the Moselle from Thionville to Nancy, Aug 31; progress of 64th Corps en route from south-west France, Aug 31, elements of 16th Infantry Division in Nevers and elements of 159th Division still near Poitiers, 66th Corps moves from Besancon to Langres to secure northern flank, resubordination of SS police regiment to 66th Corps in life and death situation to secure northern flank, Aug 31; GAF tasks for Sept 1, including destruction of Rhone bridges between Sault and Swiss frontier and fighter protection for withdrawing German Army units; most important German formations now on east bank of the Rhone and within 35 miles of Lyons; plans for withdrawal of German units from Lyons, Aug 30; 19th Army battle report for Aug 30, heavy losses in face of Allied advance in Lyons area; German Navy abandons Le Havre, Recamp and Rouen harbours after destroying facilities, Aug 30; elements of possibly 1st Panzer Division, last noted in Russia in mid-August, of 47th Infantry Division and 6th Parachute Division, all located north of Paris, Aug 30; request for GAF air support from Army Group B, night of Aug 31/Sept 1; combat plans for 47th Corps, Aug 31; 82nd Corps, previously in Dunkirk area, moving to Carignan area, south-east of Sedan, Aug 30; fighting withdrawal by 5th Panzer Army to St Quentin area, Aug 31.

German ambassador, Vatican: report of Aug 28 on Churchill's audience with Pope of Aug 23 but only made public on Aug 26, and his talks while in Italy with Crown Prince Umterto, Bonomi and Badoglio.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Berlin: circular to all German embassies emphasising continuing German support for Marshal Petain and Laval as respective French head of state and prime minister, Aug 28.

Swiss minister, Budapest: developments in German/Hungarian relations, Germany to assist Hungary in defending Transylvania and resisting Romanians and Russians, Aug 27.

Japanese ambassador, Berlin: further details from his Foreign Minister of minister's recent talks with German ambassador, Japanese pressure to push Germany into starting peace negotiations with Russia.

Southern Europe: 14th Panzer Corps withdraws overnight Aug 30/31 to line north of and parallel to River Arno, leaving Pisa to Allies; indications that 90th Panzer Grenadier Division on western Italian Front may be about to return to central Italy, Aug 30.

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Public Record(s)

Open Document, Open Description