Alfred Jodl Biography and Timeline — Page 3

Norway Defence Planning Overseen

Jodl's staff oversees strategic planning for the defence of occupied Norway against possible Allied attack.

Role range: 1939-1945

France Coastal Defence Planning Monitored

Jodl monitors OKW planning for the defence of occupied France against an expected Allied return.

Role range: 1939-1945

North Africa Strategic Situation Reviewed

Jodl advises Hitler on the strategic consequences of the changing Axis position in North Africa.

Role range: 1939-1945

Dieppe Raid Defence Lessons Reviewed

Jodl's staff reviews the Dieppe raid as evidence of future Allied amphibious threats to Western Europe.

Role range: 1939-1945

Commando Order Covering Memorandum Signed

Jodl signs the covering memorandum transmitting Hitler's criminal Commando Order.

Role range: 1939-1945

Commando Order Supplement Transmitted

Jodl's staff transmits a restricted explanation concerning implementation of the Commando Order.

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Torch Consequences Assessed

Jodl evaluates the strategic effect of Allied landings in French North Africa on Axis positions in the Mediterranean.

Role range: 1939-1945

Tunisia Reinforcement Strategy Reviewed

Jodl participates in decisions concerning reinforcement of Axis forces in Tunisia after Operation Torch.

Role range: 1939-1945

Mediterranean Defence after Tunisia Reviewed

Jodl's staff reviews the defence of Italy and the Balkans after the Axis defeat in Tunisia.

Role range: 1939-1945

Sicily Invasion Response Coordinated

Jodl participates in high-level responses as Allied forces invade Sicily.

Role range: 1939-1945

Italian Armistice Crisis Planning

Jodl's operations staff helps coordinate German measures following Italy's armistice with the Allies.

Role range: 1939-1945

Italian Peninsula Defence Strategy Reviewed

Jodl advises on German strategy for holding Italy after the collapse of Mussolini's alliance.

Role range: 1939-1945

Directive 51 Western Defence Priority Supported

Jodl works within OKW as German planning gives renewed priority to strengthening the West against an Allied invasion.

Role range: 1939-1945

Gauleiter Speech on Atlantic Wall Labour

Jodl tells Gauleiters that harsh measures are necessary to obtain labour for Atlantic Wall construction in occupied Western Europe.

Role range: 1939-1945

Atlantic Wall Inspection Report

Jodl reports serious weaknesses after inspecting Atlantic Wall defences along the Channel coast.

Role range: 1939-1945

Atlantic Wall Weaknesses Reported to Hitler

Jodl reports that major sections of the Atlantic Wall remain incomplete and inadequately prepared.

Role range: 1939-1945

Promotion to Generaloberst

Jodl is promoted to Generaloberst while continuing as chief of the OKW Operations Staff.

Channel Islands Defence Inspection

Jodl's inspection identifies shortages and weaknesses in German defensive preparations in the Channel Islands.

Role range: 1939-1945

OKW Operations Chief as Generaloberst

Jodl continues directing the OKW Operations Staff after his promotion to Generaloberst.

Role range: 1939-1945

Western Mobile Reserve Debate

Jodl participates in arguments over how mobile armoured reserves should support the Atlantic coast defences.

Role range: 1939-1945

Normandy Invasion Crisis Briefings

Jodl briefs Hitler and helps coordinate OKW decisions after Allied forces land in Normandy.

Role range: 1939-1945

Commando Order Reaffirmed after Normandy

Jodl initials an OKW memorandum reaffirming the Commando Order after the Normandy landings.

Role range: 1939-1945

Normandy Reinforcement Decisions Coordinated

Jodl's operations staff coordinates reinforcement and withdrawal decisions during the Normandy campaign.

Role range: 1939-1945

Injured in 20 July Plot

Jodl suffers minor injuries in the bomb explosion during the attempt to kill Hitler.

Role range: 1939-1945

Post Assassination Plot Briefings Resume

Jodl resumes operational duties after receiving minor injuries in the 20 July bomb attack.

Role range: 1939-1945

Western Front Retreat Planning Monitored

Jodl monitors the German retreat from France as Allied armies break out of Normandy.

Role range: 1939-1945

Northern Norway Evacuation Order Transmitted

Jodl transmits an order for evacuation and destruction in northern Norway as German forces withdraw.

Role range: 1939-1945

Scorched Earth Measures in Northern Norway Ordered

The order transmitted by Jodl directs destruction intended to deny shelter and resources to advancing Soviet forces.

Role range: 1939-1945

Ardennes Offensive Planning Briefings

Jodl participates in high-level planning for Hitler's offensive through the Ardennes.

Role range: 1939-1945

Ardennes Offensive Launch Monitored

Jodl's OKW staff monitors the opening of the German offensive in the Ardennes.

Role range: 1939-1945

Ardennes Offensive Failure Assessed

Jodl evaluates the deteriorating situation as the Ardennes offensive fails to achieve its strategic objectives.

Role range: 1939-1945

Geneva Convention Denunciation Opposed

Jodl argues that Germany should not renounce the Geneva Convention because doing so would bring greater disadvantages.

Role range: 1939-1945

OKW Operations Staff Evacuates toward Flensburg

Jodl and the OKW Operations Staff move north as the German state collapses under Allied advances.

Role range: 1939-1945

Dönitz Government Military Adviser

After Hitler's death, Jodl serves as a senior military adviser to the government headed by Karl Dönitz.

Role range: 1939-1945

Reims Surrender Negotiations Begin

Jodl arrives at SHAEF headquarters and seeks terms that would allow more German forces to surrender in the west.

Role range: 1939-1945

Surrender Delay Request Rejected

Allied commanders reject German attempts to limit or delay the unconditional surrender.

Role range: 1939-1945

Signing of German Military Surrender

Jodl signs Germany's unconditional military surrender at SHAEF headquarters in Reims at 02:41.

Role range: 1939-1945

Surrender Authority from Dönitz Received

Jodl receives authority from Dönitz to sign the unconditional military surrender.

Role range: 1939-1945

German Military Surrender Takes Effect

The Reims surrender requires German military operations to cease at 23:01 Central European Time.

Role range: 1939-1945

Arrest at Flensburg

Allied forces arrest Jodl with members of the Dönitz government at Flensburg.

Role range: 1939-1945