Opening Moves

US Intelligence presently slated only the Soviet 3rd Army in the area, part of which had been given a bloody nose at Hildesheim. Intel also credited the formation with only rifle corps and a single tank regiment, the latter being identified as away from the area of immediate interest.

The news about the radar capability test was excellent and the information was already spreading through his Commanders, cascading down to where it could be employed usefully.

All in all things could be worse, although Eisenhower did not feel that was an appropriate thought for a Commanding officer.

He was comforted by the fact that the units that had broken through at Ingolstadt had halted without moving into contact with the cavalry or the French Armored division rushed to seal the break.

Overnight bombing claimed modest returns, although there was the one report being evaluated as Ike discussed the matter with himself.

‘Fuel? Is that their weakness?’

‘Could it be true?’

More and more he found himself mentally fencing with his thought processes.

‘Maybe the shrinks would have a field day with that one.’

He rapidly looked in his own pile of reports in search of the USAAF general submission for the previous night’s operations.

Eisenhower found and read it to himself, urging impartiality and no pre-judgement.

He found the section he sought and lit up.

‘669th Bombardment Squadron reports state that whilst bombing enemy communications at Höfartsmühle and Oberwöhr they came under anti-aircraft fire and returned fire, causing an explosion and fire on the ground to the south of Oberwöhr.’

The report also stated that one A-26 Invader was lost on the mission but Ike did not read further, his mind working, arguing against himself.

‘This isn’t for you to work out, Give it to your staff.’

A reasonable statement.

‘Yes, you’re right. But what if it’s true?’

‘Then we know how to stop them.’

Eisenhower dragged himself out of his thoughts and beckoned an Air Force staff Major forward.

The man was new and there had been no time to get acquainted informally. The previous incumbent had yet to be recovered from the I.G.Farben building.

“Major, I want you and your team to work this 669th report and anything that ties in with it. I’m looking at enemy fuel supplies, their guarding of them, their response when we attack them and I want to know specifically which enemy areas have been affected by successful attacks on fuel supplies. Tie in with Colonel Wright and Lieutenant Colonel Rossiter on this.”

“Yes Sir,” the young officer given clear directions by his commander saluted and turned.

“Oh and Major, quickly please.”

“Sir.”

The new arrival was now in possession of clear directions and a clearer indication of the importance of his project, and he hurried off to find the two officers in question.

The next report covered action in Denmark; or rather, inaction, as the Germans had the Soviets nicely bottled up. McCreery was content with the two units used and anticipated no problems, especially as they were fully intact divisions from the Danish Occupation.

Preparing to accept more reports from a steadily growing line of staff officers, he noticed his European Marine pushing his way through and noted with an inner laugh that no one disputed his rite of passage.

The Colonel’s report was simple.

“Sir, I can now confirm that Berlin surrendered yesterday at approximately 2100 hrs. I am unable to furnish more detail at this time.”

Not unexpected obviously, and Eisenhower had given the commander of the beleaguered garrison permission to make whatever call he felt was right.

To be frank, militarily its resistance had been of little value, especially as there was no ground attack, just a relentless barrage of artillery shells and bombs to which the defenders had no reply.

Civilian casualties had mounted along with the military losses as the hours went past.

Obviously, the enclave had pinned some enemy assets in place that could now be released, but not many.

Of more concern was the effect on the German people.

“Sam, please ensure this message and any relating to it are passed to the Council immediately and request that we hold a meeting to discuss the effects of it as soon as is possible.”

Rossiter smiled.

“Yes Sir. For your information, Generals Guderian and Von Vietinghoff are in this building as we speak and receiving a brief on the military situation. The rest of the council is on its way already. I have been asked to request a full meeting with you.”

Eisenhower pursed his lips.