Adolf Hitler3 November 1943
Hitler issues Directive No. 51, a plan to deter or prevent an Allied invasion on Germany's western front
Germany · Warfare / World War, 2nd. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Hitler issues Directive No. 51, a plan to deter or prevent an Allied invasion on Germany's western front
Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier
Says that "if they attack int westthat attack will decide the war"
Prepares a report saying the German Army is not prepared to face an Allied attack
Cables OKW saying the Allies cannot attack without 4 days good weather
Arrives home hoping to convince Hitler to defend the Cotentin coast
Leaves his HQ & returns to Germany, convinced the Allies are not about to invade
Marcks corps stands in the middle of the Allied Normandy landings. Commands the 21st Panzer Division
Correcttly predicts the Allies will land near Cherbourg, Hitler does not agree
Stays in Herrlingen to celebrate his wifes 50th birthday. Rommel is informed by General Spiedel 7.30AM that Allied paratroopers have landed. Rommel cancels his meeting with Hitler & returns to France
Learns of the invasion & returns to his HQ after celebrating his wifes birthday
To the east, Rommels nightmare had been realised, a continuous British-Canadian beachhead, 20km (12 miles) across and up to 10km (six miles) deep
Keeps most of his forces at Calais
Diverts the 12th SS & Panzer Lehr to meet the invasion. Believes, like Hitler, the landings are a feint for Allied landings at Pas de Calais
Rommel is informed by General Spiedel 7.30AM that Allied paratroopers have landed
Arrives at the front in Caen
Rundstedt & Rommel meet Hitler, wanting withdrawal from Normandy but are turned down
Withdrawal from Normandy is turned down by Hitler. Hitler orders a counterattack from Bayeux
Turns down Rundstedt & Rommels request to withdraw from Normandy. Orders defence of Normandy to the last man
Juno is the second most heavily defended of the five landing sites chosen by the Allies, General Wilhelm Richter is in charge of the 716th Division guarding the beach, with 11 heavy batteries of 155 mm guns and 9 medium batteries of 75 mm guns
Commander of Army units in South France
Commander of Panzer Group West
Rundstedt is dismissed by Hitler for suggesting that the High Command make peace
Provides panzer support saying the British are "little fish" to be thrown back
Prevents the Canadian 9th Brigade from advancing on Le Carpiquet airfield
The High Command keep forces in Calais beleiving there will be a larger invasion there
The Allies begin their breakout from Normandy
Orders von Kluge to assemble 8 panzer Divisions to cut Pattons lines of communication
The Germans attack Avranches & gain 20km but are driven back by fighter-bombers. Hitler orders von Kluge to assemble 8 panzer Divisions to cut off Patton. Can only assemble 4 Divisions with a total of 250 tanks to defend Avranches
Plans to counter the Allied invasion of Normandy are made at Margival
Directive 51 is issued the strengthen the westeern defences
Mistakenly believes the Allies will land near the Somme & the Schelde
Responsible for western intelligence for the OKW
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