Opening Moves

The moment passed and Eisenhower again stood resolute.

A moment to gesture for another coffee and he took Bradley’s arm conspiratorially.

“I have an idea on manpower you might like to hear. Controversial for sure but it will help us no end if we can pull it off.”

Pausing only when the steward brought the fresh mugs, Eisenhower enlightened his man on the plan, interrupting his whisperd conversation only to order a new pack of cigarettes.

The normally calm Bradley was genuinely roused by the concept.

“Well ain’t that a thing. Can it be done?”

“I will know tomorrow. I am having a little gathering in the music room at 1400 hrs and I will press them hard. Our civilian masters will come onside once I explain the need and advantages,” and casting a swift look at his wristwatch to check Ike grinned, “In fact I am due some calls very soon.”

Bradley smiled, unfolding a number of the usual facial lines and replacing them with others more rarely seen.

“Best of luck with that Ike.”

Brad stood after downing half his coffee.

“I must get to my command now. Need to be there by midnight.”

The General stood to attention and threw up a salute, which was returned before Eisenhower stuck out his hand.

The two shook hands and the firm grips lingered meaningfully, as only handshakes between friends who face imminent dangers can do.

“You know there is a quote I heard a little while ago which goes like this. ‘History shows that there are no invincible armies.’ It’s true Brad, it’s true.”

“That it is Ike.”

“And do you know who spoke those words?”

Bradley shook his head slowly.

“Joseph Stalin.”

The two hands slipped apart.

“Amen.”

Chapter 43 – THE BETRAYAL

I divide officers into four classes – the clever, the lazy, the stupid, and the industrious. Each officer possesses at least two of these qualities. Those who are clever and industrious are fitted for the high staff appointments. Use can be made of those who are stupid and lazy. The man who is clever and lazy is fit for the very highest commands. He has the temperament and the requisite nerves to deal with all situations. But whoever is stupid and industrious must be removed immediately.

General Baron Kurt Gebhard Adolf Philipp Freiherr Von Hammerstein-Equord

Head of the Reichswehr [German Army] (1930-33)

0525 hrs Tuesday, 7th August 1945, Headquarters, US Forces in Europe. I.G.Farben, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany.

Eisenhower had permitted himself the opportunity to sleep for a few hours and was gently woken to the new day by his orderly, more refreshed than most in his command.

A swift wash and change, punctuated by coffee and cigarettes, and he moved towards his command centre downstairs. Before his feet touched down he was assailed by written reports from staff and his generals, as well as messages of enquiry from the political leadership.

He decided they could wait for now and strode into the centre to receive the news from the Brigadier-General tasked with collating and briefing on these things.

It was not all bad.

Lubeck was just about being held by the British 15th Division and 11th Armoured Division.

A number of Soviet spearheads were approaching Hamburg but, as yet, fighting was being kept away from the city.

Luneberg was being held by paratroopers of the 82nd US Airborne Division, but at high cost.

Braunschweig was being held without too many problems but was in danger of being surrounded for the same reason that Hannover was threatened. That being because of a poor piece of judgement from the temporary divisional commander of the 2nd US Armored Division who misconstrued his orders and withdrew his units rather than remaining in place and supporting 30th US Infantry Division. Which unit was now separated from 2nd Armored and falling back towards the Gottingen-Hameln line, despite having roughly handled the attacking Soviet infantry. This also unseated the northern flank of 83rd US Infantry Division that was withdrawing towards Gottingen itself.

This was not bad news in itself as it meant that units that could have been trapped north of Gottingen were less likely to be threatened by the Soviet breakthrough towards Kassel, from where there were reports of heavy fighting. The 83rd had subsequently been ordered back into Kassel at top speed to help with the defence there.