Tapping Hitler's Generals

HEYKING: I’ll tell you. We are in the same position as CHURCHILL was when the English were having such a hell of a time. CHURCHILL couldn’t make peace either, because he knew only too well that he would be in for it then, and the Party, which does actually constitute our command now, HIMMLER etc, can’t make peace either, because they know for a fact that they will be hanged if they do.

ELSTER: Nobody would make peace with them anyhow.

HEIM: I am absolutely convinced that we shan’t get home for a long time after the war is over.

RAMCKE: That applies to me most particularly. In the eyes of the people here I am branded ‘a diehard Nazi’. I wonder if I shall ever get home?

Document 39

CSDIC (UK), GRGG 203

Report on information obtained from Senior Officers (PW) on 26–7 Sept. 44 [TNA, WO 208/4363]

THOMA: RAMCKE is a fervent Nazi.

HEYKING: He’s abusing them now, though.

THOMA: ‘Now’ is too late. However, he is a good soldier, a courageous NCO!

[…]

RAMCKE: I mean to say that, however bad things looked, and however little I might have been in sympathy with the Nazi system, in this case I was a soldier and had to fight; there was nothing for me but to by all means to defend the town of BREST until the last shot had been fired and only to surrender BREST to the Americans after it had been reduced to ruins. That is a fortress commander’s duty. I did it until the last, according to my oath and duty and in order to uphold the honour of German arms. Whether this was right or of any advantage in view of the general political situation, no one can judge.[37]

Document 40

CSDIC (UK), GRGG 204

Report on information obtained from Senior Officers (PW) on 27–9 Oct. 44 [TNA, WO 208/4364]

REIMANN: The business with the Jews in GERMANY was quite right, only it should have been done quietly. Anyway, I’m very pleased that the English suffered a real blow at ARNHEM.[98]

[…]

CHOLTITZ: Have you read CHURCHILL’s speech? Appalling, beyond all words! A Jewish brigade to go to GERMANY! Then the French will take the West and the Poles the East. The hate in that speech! I am completely shattered.[99]

NEUFFER: Don’t forget that the man was probably still somewhat worked up about the ARNHEM business.

SCHLIEBEN: Well, we’ve known for a long time that the enemy won’t present us with any bouquets.

Document 41

CSDIC (UK), GRGG 204

Report on information obtained from Senior Officers (PW) on 27–9 Oct. 44 [TNA, WO 208/4364]

SCHLIEBEN: Yes, but look, BROICH, KÄHLER (P/W), for instance, is quite sure that we shall win. KÄHLER is as firmly convinced that we shall win as you and I are that we can’t.

ELFELDT: But the Navy has no insight into Army matters.

BROICH: In the first place they’ve no insight into the Army and, second, they form the wrong impression of tactics and war potential.

Document 42

CSDIC (UK), GRGG 209

Report on information obtained from Senior Officers (PW) on 7–10 Oct. 44 [TNA, WO 208/4364]

TRESCKOW: At LE HAVRE I had a Kapitän PALMGREEN[100] who was in command of some flotilla. He had got the Oak Leaves about 15 June, but he wasn’t summoned to the FÜHRER’s Headquarters until much later, in August I believe. He was one of the last to get back again from there. He arrived there and got the Oak Leaves and saw the FÜHRER in person. He said there were eight of them and they had sat at a table having tea with him for three-quarters of an hour. The FÜHRER had described the general situation in the most glowing colours. He said to them that the new weapons were just nearing completion, it could only be a matter of seconds before things got going with a swing. We were all glad to hear that and rejoiced over it. One is always ready to believe.

WÜLFINGEN: Yes, one always hopes against hope. I still do now. I can’t believe that all this should come to nothing.

TRESCKOW: In my opinion, it’s a question of sticking everything on one throw.

WUELFINGEN: Only I don’t know on what the people are staking everything now. They are causing the German people to be completely wiped out.

TRESCKOW: Probably they are building up to a grand finale of the ‘Twilight of the Gods’.

BAO: We believe we are faced with two serious problems: first, with an underground movement of the Party and secondly with an underground movement of the Armed Forces, similar to the secret ‘Black Reichswehr’ after the last war.