Feinde Europas
…
Will Clayton
(wbk.) – Im Dezember 1944 hat der Präsident der USA, Roosevelt, seinen Außenminister Cordell Hüll entlassen und zum Nachfolger dieses 74-jährigen Politikers den verhältnismäßig sehr jungen Edward R. Stettinius – er ist Anfang der vierziger Jahre – ernannt und damit den Sprössling eines bedeutenden Teilhabers des Bankhauses Morgan und Mitglied einer international bekannten Wirtschaftsdynastie.
Stettinius hat sofort das Außenamt der USA mit neuen und ihm wesensgleichen Personen bestückt. Unter anderen übernahm der Enkel des Dollarmilliardärs und Ölmagnaten Rockefeller, Nelson Rockefeller, als Assistent Secretary einen der sechs höchsten Beamtenposten im State Department, wie das Außenministerium der USA genannt wird, und wird die Außenhandelsbeziehungen der USA zu den iberoamerikanischen Staaten lenken.
Leiter der Außenhandelsabteilung des US-Außenamtes jedoch wurde Will Clayton. Er wird der engste Mitarbeiter und Berater des neuen Außenministers sein. Wie dieser und Nelson Rockefeller stammt er aus dem Big Business, dem großen Geschäft. Er ist zwar schon 64 Jahre alt, aber in seinen Methoden robust wie ein Cowboy.
Angefangen hat Will Clayton als kleiner Büroangestellter. Bis zum Jahre 1940 hat er sich wenig mit Politik befasst. Er war leitender Direktor der Baumwollfirma Anderson, Clayton and Co. und der größte Baumwollhändler der USA und der Welt geworden. Er gibt sich, auch heute noch, nach seinem Beruf befragt, als Baumwollmakler aus.
Die neue US-Außenpolitik ist exportorientiert. Diese Linie hat ihr Roosevelt selbst vorgeschrieben, der die drohende soziale Nachkriegskrise durch Vollbeschäftigung der nordamerikanischen Wirtschaft und Ausfuhr der großen, dann verfügbaren Ausfuhrüberschüsse mit Staatshilfe auf allen verfügbaren Absatzmärkten bannen will. Die Dollarmillionäre und Industriekönige versuchen jetzt im persönlichen Einsatz das soziale Problem zu lösen. Sie treten aus der politischen Anonymität, in der sie bisher und auch während der 1929 ausgebrochenen Weltwirtschaftskrise konsequent verharrten, nunmehr heraus. Entweder steht ihnen das Wasser des Umsturzes bis zum Halse oder aber es verleitet eine besonders gigantische Möglichkeit des Raubes von öffentlichen Geldern, Staatsfunktionäre zu werden. Vielleicht trifft beides gleichzeitig zu. Wall Street wird also durch seine Beauftragten Stettinius, Clayton, Rockefeller usw. von den höchsten Staatsstellen aus und unter Einsatz der gesamten imperialen Macht der USA den Versuch unternehmen, das Gespenst des sozialen Erdrutsches in den USA dadurch zu verscheuchen, dass die Quelle der gesellschaftlichen Unruhe, die Arbeitslosigkeit, verschüttet wird. Die USA werden mit allen Kapazitäten produzieren und Stettinius und seine Leute werden mit Anleihen, Bestechungen, Druck und Drohung die offenen Märkte erweitern, geschlossene aber öffnen wollen. Der Hochkapitalismus wagt seinen größten Einsatz, riskiert aber im Falle des Misserfolges auch die dankbar stärkste Kompromittierung.
Will Clayton hat nach »einer Ernennung zum Chef der Außenhandelsabteilung im State Department vor dem Senatsausschuss für Auswärtiges erklärt, er befürworte Kredite an fremde Länder, vor allein an Südamerika, nicht aber an ausländische Industrien, die ohne hohen Zollschutz nicht bestehen könnten, so dass Europa nur geringe Chancen hat. Er wird sich vor allem der Verwirklichung des fünften Programmpunktes seines Chefs Stettinius zu widmen haben, der lautet: „Starke Expansion des nordamerikanischen Außenhandels, um in den USA Vollbeschäftigung sicherzustellen.“ Und sicherlich wird er als Fachmann den Export nordamerikanischer Rohbaumwolle und Baumwollwaren besonders betreuen, der in der Amtszeit Roosevelts in der Walt so viel Terrain verloren hat. Gerade in dieser Hinsicht visiert die nordamerikanische Baumwollwirtschaft England als wichtigsten Konkurrenten, Was in London bereits erkannt worden ist. Die vor kurzem erfolgte Veröffentlichung des sogenannten Platt-Berichtes, der Arbeit einer nordamerikanischen Studienkommission über die Zukunft der Weltbaumwollwirtschaft, dürfte unter Zustimmung, wenn nicht Mitarbeit Mr. Claytons erfolgt sein.
Der Bericht enthält eine äußerst scharfe Kritik der britischen Baumwollpolitik, gegen die sich das englische Baumwollverarbeitungszentrum Lancashire durch verschiedene Repräsentanten erregt und erbost zur Wehr gesetzt hat. Die Cotton and Rayon Merchant Association in London wirft dem Platt-Bericht vor, er versuche in der Welt den Eindruck ungenügender Tüchtigkeit und geringer Leistungsfähigkeit der britischen im Vergleich zur US-Baumwollindustrie zu erwecken, was dem britischen Export abträglich sein könne.
Wie auf dem Gebiet der Baumwollwirtschaft, so ist es auch in anderen Branchen: die US-Industriellen und -Händler würden in einer von ihnen maßgebend gestalteten Nachkriegswirtschaft beim Kampf um den Auslandsabsatz den personell verjüngten, materiell unvergleichlich massiven Machtapparat des State Department der USA hinter sich haben. Briten und Bolschewisten würden natürlich zu ähnlich „direkten Methoden“ übergehen, wie sie Mr. Stettinius anzuwenden pflegt. Es würde eine harte Auseinandersetzung werden, die ganz gewiss nicht zum Ziel dauernder Vollbeschäftigung in den drei „Demokratien,“ sondern zur Verschärfung der inneren und äußeren Spannungen und zu neuen blutigen Auseinandersetzungen führen würde. Dieser Entwicklung steht der ebenso sinnvolle wie tapfere Kampf Deutschlands und Japans entgegen, der neue und für die Völker ersprießlichere Perspektiven eröffnet.
Führer HQ (February 4, 1945)
Kommuniqué des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht
In Ungarn versuchte der Feind unsere Front zwischen Plattensee und Velencesee mit Unterstützung zahlreicher Panzer einzudrücken. Die angreifenden Bolschewisten wurden durch Gegenangriffe in die Verteidigung gedrängt und verloren 26 Panzer. In Budapest verteidigt die heroisch kämpfende Besatzung die Burg und die südlich und südwestlich davon gelegenen Stadtteile hartnäckig gegen den weit überlegenen Feind.
Zwischen den Westbeskiden und der oberen Oder scheiterten heftige Angriffe der Bolschewisten. An der Oderfront zwischen Ratibor und dem Oderbruch wurden alle Versuche des Feindes, seine Brückenköpfe auszuweiten, vereitelt. Mehrere dieser Brückenköpfe wurden durch unsere Gegenangriffe eingeengt, bei Glogau 21 Panzer, in der Mehrzahl durch Nahkampfmittel, vernichtet. Angriffe der Bolschewisten gegen unsere Stellungen südöstlich Frankfurt an der Oder und vor Küstrin blieben ohne Erfolg. Die Besatzungen von Schneidemühl und Posen standen auch gestern in erbitterten Abwehrkämpfen.
Auch an der pommerschen Front kam es zu heftigen Gefechten bei Pyritz, Arnswalde und nordöstlich Jastrow. Die Besatzung von Thorn kämpfte sich befehlsgemäss zu den eigenen Linien durch. Westlich Schwetz stießen Panzer und Grenadiere tief in die Flanke des Feindes und fügten ihm hohe Verluste zu. Die Verteidiger der Marienburg und der Stadt Elbing wehrten zahlreiche sowjetische Angriffe ab.
An der Südfront Ostpreußens trat der Feind zwischen Wormditt und Bartenstein zum Angriff an. In schwerem Ringen verhinderten unsere Divisionen den vom Gegner erstrebten Durchbruch. Nordwestlich Königsberg konnten die Sowjets in Richtung auf die Danziger Bucht Gelände gewinnen. Gegenangriffe sind angesetzt.
Unsere Seestreitkräfte unterstützten auch am 2. und 3. Februar die schweren Kämpfe des Heeres an der Küste Nordsamlands.
In Kurland setzte der Feind seine Angriffe in Richtung Libau mit neu herangeführten Infanterie- und Panzerverbänden fort, während südlich Frauenburg seine Angriffswucht nachließ. In beiden Kampfräumen zerbrach der feindliche Ansturm nach Abschuß von 40 Panzern am hartnäckigen Widerstand unserer Divisionen.
Die Luftwaffe griff mit starken Kräften an der mittleren Ostfront die sowjetischen Vorhuten und den Nachschubverkehr an. Der Feind erlitt hohe blutige Verluste und büßte nach bis jetzt vorliegenden Meldungen 26 Panzer, 16 Geschütze und über 500 Fahrzeuge ein. In Luftkämpfen wurden 14 sowjetische Flugzeuge abgeschossen.
Im Westen zerschlug unsere Artillerie englische Panzerkräfte, die südlich Roermond unsere Hauptkampflinie zu durchstoßen versuchten. An der mittleren Roer halten lebhafte feindliche Bewegungen an: auch das Artilleriefeuer verstärkte sich, so daß in diesem Abschnitt demnächst mit dem erneuten Beginn feindlicher Großangriffe gerechnet werden muss.
Nordöstlich Monschau blieben feindliche Angriffe erfolglos, doch konnte der Gegner östlich der Stadt nach heftigen Kämpfen unsere Truppen in den Raum von Schleiden und nördlich davon zurückdrängen. Auch an den Westbefestigungen weiter südlich kam es zu erbitterten Kämpfen mit angreifenden amerikanischen Verbänden, die nach geringen Erfolgen zum Stehen gebracht wurden.
Im Kampfgebiet von Bischweiler warfen unsere Truppen im Gegenangriff den vorgedrungenen Feind wieder zurück, machten dabei Gefangene und vernichteten eine größere Anzahl feindlicher Panzer.
Angriffe der Amerikaner im Abschnitt von Kolmar wurden abgewiesen. Nördlich Neubreisach sowie im Raum nördlich und nordwestlich Mülhausen stehen unsere Divisionen in heftigen Abwehrkämpfen. Im Oberelsass wurden gestern 27 Panzer und Panzerspähwagen vernichtet.
Im Monat Jänner machten unsere Truppen an der Westfront 8.327 Gefangene und erbeuteten oder vernichteten 1.197 Panzer und 55 Panzerspähwagen sowie 98 Geschütze.
Vor Dünkirchen zwang unser Feuer gegnerische Panzer zum Abdrehen. Schwächere Angriffe gegen das Vorfeld von St. Nazaire wurden zerschlagen.
Der feindliche Nachschubstützpunkt Antwerpen liegt andauernd unter unserem Fernbeschuss.
Die Reichshauptstadt war am gestrigen Tage das Ziel eines Terrorangriffs der Nordamerikaner. Es entstanden vorwiegend in der Stadtmitte Schäden an Wohnhäusern und Kulturbauten sowie Verluste unter der Zivilbevölkerung. Auch im westlichen und südwestlichen Reichsgebiet trafen die Angriffe anglo-amerikanischer Tiefflieger und kleinerer Bomberverbände wieder vorwiegend die Zivilbevölkerung. Britische Terrorflieger warfen in den Abendstunden Bomben auf Orte im rheinisch-westfälischen Raum. Luftverteidigungskräfte brachten 49 anglo-amerikanische Flugzeuge, darunter 43 viermotorige Bomber, zum Absturz.
Das Vergeltungsfeuer auf London dauert mit nur kurzen Unterbrechungen an.
Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force (February 4, 1945)
FROM
(A) SHAEF MAIN
ORIGINATOR
PRD, Communique Section
DATE-TIME OF ORIGIN
041100A February
TO FOR ACTION
(1) AGWAR
(2) NAVY DEPARTMENT
TO (W) FOR INFORMATION (INFO)
(3) TAC HQ 12 ARMY GP
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(5) AIR STAFF
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(7) EXFOR MAIN
(8) EXFOR REAR
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(10) CANADIAN C/S, OTTAWA
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IN THE CLEAR
Communiqué No. 302
Allied forces in the Monschau area pushed from one to three miles deeper into Germany to capture the towns of Hammer, Harperscheid and enter Dreiborn. Resistance from small arms and mortar fire was heavy. Udenbreth, about seven miles south of Harperscheid, was cleared after heavy fighting in the town.
In the border area, eleven miles northeast of St. Vith, we have taken Losheim and Manderfeld. Southeast of St. Vith, we captured Bleialf after overcoming strong resistance in the town.
Our units which pushed eastward in the area of the Luxembourg-Belgium-German border intersection have reached the vicinity of Grosskampenberg. German positions in this area are strongly defended.
East of Diekirch, we have cleared the enemy from Hoesdorf on the west bank of the Our River.
Southeast of Haguenau we have cleared Rohrwiller, and after three days of hard fighting have taken most of Oberhofen. Stiff resistance and flooded terrain resulted in our withdrawal in the vicinity of Herrlisheim and from Offendorf.
All of Colmar has been liberated and we have driven some four miles south of the city. We have freed Winzenheim, west of Colmar, and several other towns nearby. To the east, hard fighting continued in the approaches to fortified Neuf-Brisach. Fighter-bombers struck at targets in the city and enemy communications leading to this sector.
Gains on the southern side of the Colmar sector, where we have reached the outskirts of Pulversheim, have narrowed the distance from our forces in the north to those in the south to less than twelve miles.
Twenty-five hundred tons of bombs were dropped with good results on military objectives in Berlin yesterday by more than 1,000 escorted heavy bombers. Objectives included important military and governmental offices, the Anhalter railway station and the Templehof railyards. Large fires were stated in the target areas.
More than 400 escorted heavy bombers attacked rail yards at Magdeburg, and a synthetic oil plant in the Magdeburg suburb of Rothensee with unobserved results.
Escort for these attacks was provided by more than 900 fighters. The escort shot down 21 enemy fighters in the air, destroyed 14 on the ground and strafed ground targets in northwest Germany, destroyed or damaged locomotives, freight cars and other objectives. Other fighters patrolled airfields in northwest Germany.
Thirty-five bombers and five fighters are missing from these operations.
The E-boat shelters at Ijmuiden and naval establishments at Portershaven near Maassluis were attacked by other escorted heavy bombers with 12,000-pound bombs. Last night, heavy bombers attacked targets in western Germany with the synthetic oil plants at Bottrop and Dortmund as the main objectives.
German billets at Dunkerque and the rail bridge at Zwolle were attacked yesterday by medium bombers.
Mortar positions and troops in the neighborhood of Babyloniënbroek, transportation targets in Holland and northwest Germany, particularly to the north and northeast of the Ruhr were attacked by fighter bombers. Locomotives and rolling stock, as well as motor transport and barges were attacked and rail lines were cut in several places.
Farther south, fighter-bombers struck at railyards in the areas of Zülpich and Euskirchen and also attacked a number of trains, principally in the Euskirchen area, and motor transport to the northwest of Bonn. A motor transport repair and storage depot at Bergisch Gladbach, rail bridges at Ahrweiler and Sinzig and a rail yard at Jünkerath, as well as the communications centers at Dahlem and Wittlich were targets for medium and light bombers.
Fourteen fighter-bombers are missing from the day’s operations.
COORDINATED WITH: G-2, G-3 to C/S
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U.S. State Department (February 4, 1945)
Roosevelt-Stalin meeting, 4:00 p.m.
Livadia Palace, USSR
| Present | ||
|---|---|---|
| United States | Soviet Union | |
| President Roosevelt | Marshal Stalin | |
| Mr. Bohlen | Foreign Commissar Molotov | |
| Mr. Pavlov |
Bohlen Minutes
Yalta, February 4, 1945, 4 p.m.
Top secret
Subject: GENERAL DISCUSSION
After an exchange of amenities, in which the President thanked Marshal Stalin for all the successful efforts that had been made for his comfort and convenience, the President said that the military situation was considerably improved since they had last met.
Marshal Stalin replied that this was certainly true, and that the Soviet armies were moving very successfully onto the line of the Oder.
The President replied that he had made a number of bets on board the cruiser coming over as to whether the Russians would get to Berlin before the Americans would get to Manila.
Marshal Stalin remarked that he was certain the Americans would get to Manila before the Russians got to Berlin, since there was at present very hard fighting going on for the Oder line.
There followed a discussion about the climate and characteristics of the Crimea.
The President said that he had been very much struck by the extent of German destruction in the Crimea and therefore he was more bloodthirsty in regard to the Germans than he had been a year ago, and he hoped that Marshal Stalin would again propose a toast to the execution of 50,000 officers of the German Army.
Marshal Stalin replied that because of the honest bloodshed in fighting the Germans, everyone was more bloodthirsty than they had been a year ago, adding that the destruction in the Crimea is nothing compared to that which occurred in the Ukraine. He said in the Crimea the Germans had been out-flanked and had had little time to carry out planned destruction, whereas in the Ukraine they had done it with method and calculation. He said the Germans were savages and seemed to hate with a sadistic hatred the creative work of human beings.
The President agreed with this.
Marshal Stalin then inquired about the military situation on the Western Front.
The President replied that General Marshall, at the five o’clock meeting, would give a detailed outline of the situation and plans, but he could say now that there was an offensive planned for the 8th of February and another on the 12th, but that the main blow of the Anglo-American armies on the Western Front would take place in March.
Marshal Stalin expressed gratification at this news, and said that General Antonov of the Soviet General Staff would give a detailed review of the situation on the Eastern Front at the five o’clock meeting. He added that if it were possible to capture the Ruhr and Saar regions the Germans would be deprived of all sources of coal, since the Russians had already captured the Silesia basin.
The President said he felt that the armies were getting close enough to have contact between and he hoped General Eisenhower could communicate directly with the Soviet Staff rather than through the Chiefs of Staff in London and Washington as in the past.
Marshal Stalin agreed and thought it was very important and promised that the staffs while here would work out the details of this suggestion. He added that if the Germans were deprived of all their coal, since they were already short of bread, there was a possibility that the German collapse would come before absolute military defeat.
The President inquired whether the Soviet bridgeheads across the Oder were sufficient for further offensive action.
Marshal Stalin replied that in regard to these bridgeheads, of which there were five or six, fierce battles were in progress on the Eastern front.
The President said that one of the difficulties on the Western Front was that we had no secure bridgeheads and that on the upper Rhine the current was so strong with floating ice that it made it very difficult for pontoon operations, but that General Eisenhower felt once he reached the Rhine, he would be able to cross it, but he did not expect this before March. He added that the British had wanted to make a major crossing of the Rhine on the north sector in Holland, but since we had four times the number of men in France that the British had we felt we were entitled to have an alternative, which would be either through Holland or in the region of Mainz.
The President then inquired how Marshal Stalin had gotten along with General de Gaulle.
Marshal Stalin replied that he had not found de Gaulle a very complicated person, but he felt he was unrealistic in the sense that France had not done very much fighting in this war and de Gaulle demanded full rights with the Americans, British and Russians who had done the burden of the fighting.
The President then described his conversation with de Gaulle in Casablanca two years ago when de Gaulle compared himself with Joan of Arc as the spiritual leader of France and with Clemenceau as the political leader.
Marshal Stalin replied that de Gaulle does not seem to understand the situation in France and that in actual fact the French contribution at the present time to military operations on the Western Front was very small and that in 1940 they had not fought at all.
The President replied that he recently decided to arm eight new French divisions composed of Frenchmen who had had previous military training.
Marshal Stalin said that was good insofar as it would help the American armies but at present he felt the de Gaulle army was very weak.
The President said he had recently heard that the French Government did not plan to annex outright any German territory but they are willing to have it placed under international control.
Marshal Stalin replied that was not the story de Gaulle had told in Moscow – there he said the Rhine was the natural boundary of France and he wished to have French troops placed there in permanency.
The President said he would now tell the Marshal something indiscreet, since he would not wish to say it in front of Prime Minister Churchill, namely that the British for two years have had the idea of artificially building up France into a strong power which would have 200,000 troops on the eastern border of France to hold the line for the period required to assemble a strong British army. He said the British were a peculiar people and wished to have their cake and eat it too.
The President then said that he understood the tripartite zones in regard to occupation of Germany were already agreed upon, to which Marshal Stalin appeared to agree, but he went on to say that one outstanding question was that of a French zone of occupation. The President said he had had a good deal of trouble with the British in regard to zones of occupation. He said that he would of [have] preferred to have the northwest zone which would be independent of communications through France, but the British seemed to think that the Americans should restore order in France and then return political control to the British.
Marshal Stalin inquired whether the President thought France should have a zone of occupation, and for what reason.
The President said he thought it was not a bad idea, but he added that it was only out of kindness.
Both Marshal Stalin and Mr. Molotov spoke up vigorously and said that would be the only reason to give France a zone. Marshal Stalin said that question would have to be considered further here at Yalta.
As it was then three minutes to five, the President suggested that they proceed to the conference room where the military staffs were gathered.
First plenary meeting, February 4, 1945, 5:00 p.m.
Livadia Palace, USSR
| Present | ||
|---|---|---|
| United States | United Kingdom | Soviet Union |
| President Roosevelt | Prime Minister Churchill | Marshal Stalin |
| Secretary Stettinius | Foreign Commissar Molotov | |
| Fleet Admiral Leahy | Foreign Secretary Eden | |
| General of the Army Marshall | Field Marshal Brooke | General of the Army Antonov |
| Marshal of the Royal Air Force Portal | ||
| Fleet Admiral King | Marshal of Aviation Khudyakov | |
| Major General Kuter | Admiral of the Fleet Cunningham | |
| Major General Deane | Fleet Admiral Kuznetsov | |
| Brigadier General Mc-Farland | Field Marshal Alexander | Mr. Vyshinsky |
| Mr. Harriman | General Ismay | Mr. Gromyko |
| Mr. Bohlen | Major Birse | Mr. Gusev |
| Mr. Maisky | ||
| Mr. Pavlov |
Bohlen Minutes
Yalta, February 4, 1945, 5 p.m.
Top secret
Subject: THE MILITARY SITUATION
Marshal Stalin said he hoped the President would again consent to opening the meeting.
The President replied that his opening of this meeting, as had been the case in Tehran, was not based on any law or historic tradition but merely by chance. He said that he was honored to open this great Conference and he wished first of all to express on behalf of the American guests here their deep appreciation for the hospitality and splendid arrangements made by Marshal Stalin and his assistants for their comfort and convenience. He said that he knew that all the people he represented wished peace above all and the war to be over as soon as possible. He said that he felt that we understood each other much better now than we had in the past and that month by month our understanding was growing. For this reason, he felt safe in proposing that the talks be conducted in an informal manner in which each would speak his mind frankly and freely, since he had discovered through experience that the best way to conduct business expeditiously was through frank and free speaking. He said he knew that while they were here in Yalta they would cover the map of the world, but today he thought that military questions, particularly those on the most important front of all, the Eastern Front, should be the subject of discussion. He said he wished to add that when the Red Armies advanced into Germany 25 kilometers, it was doubtful whether the Soviet people were more thrilled than those of the United States and those of Great Britain. Here, he thought, it would be most appropriate if the Marshal would ask one of his staff officers to give a detailed report on the Eastern Front.
General Antonov then read a prepared paper, giving in great detail the background development of the Soviet offensive of early January, the estimate of enemy probabilities and the results of the offensive. He concluded with the statement of Soviet desires with regard to the actions of their Allies. (A copy in translation of General Antonov’s report is attached hereto.)
In regard to the part of the Soviet report where General Antonov referred to the number of divisions which were being moved to the East, the Prime Minister asked if he could go into more detail as to where they were coming from.
General Antonov stated that they anticipated that there would be five German divisions from Norway, twelve from the Western Front, eight from Italy, and eight from the interior of Germany which would be moved to the Eastern Front to reinforce the Germans.
The President then inquired whether in the advance into Germany the Russians had altered the gauge of the railroads from the customary European gauge to the wide Russian gauge.
General Antonov replied that the majority of the locomotives and wagons which they had captured from the Germans had been so badly damaged that they had been useless and it was, therefore, necessary to widen the gauge on a few important lines of the railroads in order to accommodate Russian rolling stock to supply the troops.
The President said that as our armies are now approaching each other in Germany it was important that the staffs should discuss this problem so that there would be a definite place in Germany where the different gauges would meet.
Marshal Stalin answered at this point that the greater part of the German railroad lines would remain of their customary gauge and that it was not for pleasure but for absolute necessity that any at all had been changed, since the Soviet Union did not have adequate resources to adopt this expedient to a greater extent than was absolutely necessary.
The Prime Minister then said that he had a number of questions in regard to General Antonov’s report, that he felt that the Anglo-American and Russian staffs which were here gathered for the first time should discuss these technical military matters between themselves. He added, for example, that it was important to find out how long it would take the enemy to move these divisions from Italy and the Western Front to the Eastern Front and whether the Allies could be of more help by reinforcing the Western Front or by leaving the divisions in Italy, or by moving across the Adriatic into the Balkans. He suggested that General Marshall, with the President’s approval, present a picture of the operations on the Western Front.
General Marshall then gave the following general summary of the situation on the Western Front:
The Ardennes bulge had now been eliminated and in certain places the Allied armies were further to the East than they had been when the German offensive began.
In the last week General Eisenhower has been regrouping his divisions for future offensive action and was engaged in eliminating enemy pockets on the southern sector of the line north of Switzerland. He was exerting pressure on the base of the Ardennes bulge for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Germans were in sufficient force to successfully oppose a movement Northeast in the direction of Bonn or whether such an operation would require special preparation. He had ascertained that the German resistance was too strong and four days ago has ceased operations in this area and begun to transfer divisions to the North. North of Switzerland operations were being directed toward the elimination of German positions around Mulhausen and Colmar. Colmar had been taken but the First French Army was advancing very slowly north of Mulhausen.
Small German bridgeheads to the north of Strasbourg were being eliminated. When our forces have reached the Rhine a number of divisions will be released through the shortening of the line.
Field Marshal Montgomery in command of the 21st British Army Group and the United States Ninth Army is preparing offensive action in a Southeast direction north of Düsseldorf. A supporting operation is planned by the Ninth Army in a northeast direction toward the same objective. The first of these operations is expected to commence on February 8 and the second approximately a week later. These two operations are designed to drive the Germans East of the Rhine and to cross the river North of the Ruhr. This operation will be the main blow of the Anglo-American armies. Airborne divisions will be used in large numbers to land East of the Rhine.
The passage of the Rhine is considered possible after the first of March. Although a crossing would be attempted if the Rhine were reached before that date it would be a hazardous operation because of ice conditions and the strength of the current. There are three good crossings in this sector and a fourth may be attempted. Only five divisions could be accommodated on the actual front of the assault.
In the South the left wing of the United States First Army was endeavoring to carry out the capture of two dams on the Roer River. Despite air action these dams remained intact and there was a danger of imperilling our positions in that area if the Germans were to open the dams.
Plans have been made for a secondary effort in the area of Frankfort as an alternative if the main operation in the North suffers a check.
Operations on the Western Front had been limited by the shortage of supplies due to inadequacy of shipping. The opening of the port of Antwerp has remedied this situation and the armies are now receiving adequate supplies. The utilization of the town of Rouen has facilitated the movement of supplies. It is now possible to bring in 75,000 to 80,000 tons of dry cargo and 12,000 to 15,000 tons of wet cargo a day. The Germans were endeavoring to disrupt the use of the port of Antwerp by robot bombs and rockets and sporadic air attack. The day before yesterday sixty robot bombs and six rockets fell on the city of Antwerp. One ship had been destroyed and one oil dump blown up. The chief danger was that a lucky hit might destroy the Antwerp lock gates. When weather permitted the American Air Forces had been extremely active in destroying German transport, railroad lines and troop convoys, particularly in the direction of Cologne.
Marshal Stalin then inquired if there was any definite estimate of the actual destruction done by the tactical air force.
General Marshall replied that he did not have the exact estimates but the destruction had been very heavy. According to present data the German oil production had been reduced to about 20% of its former capacity as a result of Allied heavy bombing. They had also struck at tank factories, motor transport factories, rail communications and assembly yards. In these operations were included the heavy bombers from Italy which, when the weather did not permit a strike on Germany, operated in the valley of the Po and against railroad lines leading from Italy into Germany.
In reply to a question General Marshall stated that there were approximately 32 enemy divisions on the Italian front, 27 German and 5 Italian, facing an approximately equal number of Allied divisions. The Allied forces have superiority in fighter aircraft in this theater.
General Marshall mentioned briefly the submarine danger which was more threatening at the moment than it had been in the past, due largely to improvements in German technical methods. At the time of the African landings there had been 100 enemy submarines operating in the Atlantic. At the present time there were between 30 and 35 in the Atlantic and their threat was potential rather than actual. He said difficulty had been encountered in attacking submarines in the shallow waters around the British Isles because the tide made it difficult for ASDIC to locate them. The Allied heavy bomber force has been striking heavily at submarine pens and construction yards but first priority was still being given to enemy oil production and refining centers.
General Marshall concluded by saying that Field Marshal Brooke might have something to add to his report on the military situation.
The Prime Minister said he hoped that Field Marshal Brooke would have some news, but he certainly hoped that Admiral Cunningham would be able to speak on the help the Soviet Armies could give in the U-boat war, since Danzig was the principal point of construction of U-boats.
Marshal Stalin asked what were the other points.
Admiral Cunningham replied: Kiel and Hamburg.
The Prime Minister said that we had had great experience with the United States forces in working out the crossing of oceans for landing operations but that we hoped to benefit by the Russian experience in crossing rivers. There was an officer here especially charged with that duty and he hoped to be able to get into contact with the Russian staff on this subject.
Marshal Stalin then asked a number of questions particularly relating to the potentials which the Anglo-Americans would have in the Northern area and those designated for the attacks on February 8 and February 15. He said that on the central front in Poland the Soviet Army had enjoyed a superiority of 100 divisions over the Germans as well as overwhelming artillery supremacy. He added that they had had 9,000 planes on a relatively narrow front in Eastern Poland. He said that the Red Army had had 9,000 tanks on the breakthrough sector on the central front.
General Marshall said that approximately one in three Allied divisions was armored comprising 200-300 units. There was some discussion as to the relative strength of the German and Allied divisions in which General Marshall said that a German panzer division which they had encountered on the Western Front had had a complement of 23,000 men, at which Marshal Stalin expressed surprisee.
The Prime Minister said that he understood that the British division was composed of 18,000 men and the American 14,000 with tank divisions of approximately 10,000 men.
Sir Charles Portal , in reply to a question from Marshal Stalin, said that we would have 8,000 to 9,000 aircraft on the section of the Western Front designated for the attack, of which 4,000 would be Anglo-American heavy bombers capable of carrying 3 to 4 tons of bombs each.
The Prime Minister said, in reply to Marshal Stalin’s observations that they had 180 Soviet divisions against 80 German divisions on the central front in Poland, that the Anglo-American armies had never had a superiority in manpower but that their superiority had rested in air power and armor.
General Marshall stated that ten days ago there had been 79 German divisions on the Western Front opposing 78 Anglo-American divisions.
Marshal Stalin then said that in the present offensive the Soviet armies had enjoyed artillery supremacy of four to one and gave a brief description in the manner in which the special Soviet artillery “break-through” divisions had been organized. He said that these artillery divisions had from 300 to 400 guns and in addition to offensive operations the corps artillery was added during the attack. For example, on a front from 35 to 45 kilometers, Marshal Konev had had six artillery “break-through” divisions and the corps artillery, which meant that for every kilometer there were some 230 guns of heavy calibre. The result was after a two-hour bombardment a gate was opened in the front through which the Soviet forces advanced fifteen kilometers the first day. The German losses in killed and wounded were very heavy and the survivors were severely stunned and shellshocked. Marshal Stalin then said that they had explained their desires from their Allies, but that they had learned from the discussions already undertaken that their desires had already been met, and inquired what were the wishes of the Allies in regard to the Red Army.
The Prime Minister said first of all that he wished to express the gratitude of England and he was sure of America for the massive power and successes of the Soviet offensive.
Marshal Stalin replied that this was not a desire. Marshal Stalin then said that the Soviet Union was not bound by any agreement at Tehran to conduct a winter offensive and despite what some people had thought no demand or request had been received from the President or the Prime Minister in regard to such an offensive. The President had asked him to receive a representative, Air Marshal Tedder, from General Eisenhower’s staff to discuss the situation and he had, of course, immediately agreed. He said that he mentioned this only to emphasize the spirit of the Soviet leaders who not only fulfilled formal obligations but went farther and acted on what they conceived to be their moral duty to their Allies. He said Air Marshal Tedder had explained the desire, which he presumed was that of the President and the Prime Minister, that the Soviet army continue their offensive operations until the end of March. Marshal Stalin said that they would do it if the weather and road conditions permitted.
The President said that he thoroughly agreed with Marshal Stalin’s statement since at the Tehran Conference it had been merely agreed that each partner would move as quickly and as far as possible against the common enemy. He said at that time he personally was facing an election, and that it had been impossible to make detailed plans far into the future. Also at that time our armies were separated by many miles. Now, however, the President said, with our armies approaching each other it should be possible to coordinate more closely our operational plans.
The Prime Minister remarked that the reason no request had been made on Marshal Stalin was because of the complete confidence which the President and he felt in the Marshal, the Russian people and the efficiency of the Russian military, and therefore, there had been no attempt to strike any bargain. He had always been thoroughly confident that when an offensive was possible the Red Army would attack. The Prime Minister added that no matter what discussions Air Marshal Tedder had had in Moscow, he felt that it was of the highest importance that the three staffs which were assembled here for the first time should really work out together detailed plans for the coordination of the joint blows against Germany; so that if the Soviet offensive came to a halt because of the weather or road conditions the Allied armies could move. The best of all would be for both armies to attack simultaneously from the East and the West.
Marshal Stalin agreed with the Prime Minister but stated that they had to take into account what had occurred; that when the Anglo-American armies were on the offensive in the West the Soviet armies were not ready and conversely. He felt that it would be most useful for the staffs to discuss the question of a summer offensive against Germany because he was not so sure that the war would be over before summer.
Mr. Churchill replied that he thoroughly shared the view of the Marshal and that we should take full advantage of this gathering.
Admiral Cunningham then gave a short review of the situation in regard to German submarines. He said that the threat was more potential than actual at the present time. The Germans had kept technically ahead of the Allies although the present sinkings around the British Isles were not serious. We knew, however, that based on a prefabricated method of construction the Germans were building large submarines of a new type fitted out with the latest devices and with high underwater speed. He said that these submarines were being built primarily at Kiel, Hamburg and Danzig and that since the Marshal had asked for our desires he would give a naval desire, namely, that the Red Army should as soon as possible take Danzig where 30% of the German submarine construction was being carried out.
The President asked if Danzig was within range of Soviet artillery fire.
Marshal Stalin replied in the negative but expressed the hope that it soon would be.
It was then agreed that the Military Staffs would meet tomorrow at 12:00 noon at the Soviet villa at Koreis and that tomorrow, February 5, there would be a meeting at the Livadia Palace at 4:00 p.m. between the President, Marshal Stalin, and the Prime Minister and the three Foreign Ministers on the political treatment of Germany.
CCS Minutes
Yalta, February 4, 1945, 5 p.m.
Top secret
Marshal Stalin asked the President to open the meeting.
The President said that he was very happy to open such a historic meeting in such a lovely spot. In view of the conveniences and comforts that had been provided the visiting delegations, he wished to thank Marshal Stalin for all that he had found time to do in this regard in the midst of the prosecution of the war. He said that the United States, British and Russian delegations would understand each other better and better as we go along. We could therefore proceed informally to discuss frankly and freely among ourselves the matters necessary to the successful prosecution of the common cause in which we all are engaged. There was much that required discussion, the whole map in Europe in fact. Today, however, the conversations by common agreement would be concerned with Germany. In this connection he felt sure that the British and American people were viewing with a satisfaction as deep as must be that of the Soviet people themselves the successful advances of the Soviet armies against the common enemy.
Marshal Stalin said that Colonel General Antonov, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, would outline the situation existing on the Eastern Front.
General Antonov made the following statement:
Soviet forces from the 12th to the 15th of January went into attack on the front from the Niemen River to the Carpathians, a distance of 700 kilometers. Forces of General Cherniakhovsky advanced towards Koenigsberg; forces of Marshal Rokossovsky, along the north bank of the Vistula cutting off East Prussia from central Germany; forces of Marshal Zhukov, south of the Vistula against Poznan; forces of Marshal Konev, against Chenstokhov-Breslau; forces of General Petrov, in the area of the Carpathians against Novo Targ. The greatest blow was delivered by the army groups of Rokossovsky, Zhukov, and Konev on the Ostrolenka-Crakow front, 300 kilometers.
Because of the unfavorable weather conditions, this operation was to commence at the end of January when weather conditions were expected to improve. Since the operation was planned and prepared as an operation in full strength, it was hoped to carry it out under the most favorable conditions possible. Nevertheless, in view of the difficult circumstances on the Western Front in connection with the German attack in the Ardennes, the High Command of the Soviet Army gave an order to commence the attack not later than the middle of January, not waiting for improvement in weather.
The enemy grouping, after the Soviet forces reached the Narev and Vistula Rivers, was the most concentrated on the central sector of the front, since striking from this sector led our troops out along the shortest route to the vital centers of Germany. In order to create for ourselves more advantageous conditions for attack, the Supreme Soviet Command decided to extend it to the central group of the enemy. For this purpose, this operation was conducted as a subsidiary against East Prussia, and the advance in Hungary toward Budapest was continued. Both of these attacks were for the Germans very painful, and they quickly reacted to our attack by a swift transfer of power onto the flank at the expense of the central sector of our front; thus, out of 24 tank divisions on our front, representing the principal German striking power, 11 tank divisions were drawn in to the Budapest sector, 6 tank divisions on the East Prussian (3 tank divisions were located in Courland), and thus on the central part of the front there remained only 4 tank divisions. The aim of the High Command was accomplished.
On the front from Ostrolenka to Crakow, that is, in the area of our greatest attack, the enemy had up to 80 divisions. We set up a grouping calculated on having a superiority over the enemy: in infantry, more than double; in artillery, tanks and aviation, a decided superiority.
The massing of artillery on the sectors of the break-through amounted to 220-230 guns (from 75 mm and above) on one kilometer of the front.
The advance was begun under extremely unfavorable weather conditions – low visibility and fog, which completely ruled out the possibility of air operations and limited artillery observation to several hundred meters.
Due to good preliminary reconnaissance of the enemy positions and a powerful artillery advance, the fire power of the enemy was overwhelmed and his fortifications destroyed. This situation permitted our troops during the first day of the advance to move forward 10 to 15 kilometers, that is, to completely break through the entire tactical depth of the enemy defense.
The following results were achieved:
a. During the 18 days of the advance, the Soviet troops moved forward up to 500 kilometers in the direction of the main offensive.
Thus the average speed of forward movement was 25-30 kilometers per day.
b. The Soviet troops came out onto the Oder River on the sector from Kyustrin (north of Frankfurt) and south and seized the Silesian industrial area.
c. They cut across the main roads and cut off enemy groups in East Prussia from central Germany; thus, in addition to the Courland group (26 divisions) isolated 27 divisions of the enemy group; a series of divisional groupings were surrounded and annihilated in the region of Lodz, Torne, Poznan, Shneidmul and others, an approximate total of up to 15 divisions.
d. Breakthroughs in force of long duration of German defensive positions in East Prussia in the Koenigsberg and Latvian directions.
e. Destroyed 45 German divisions against which we sustained the following losses:
| Prisoners | –about 100,000 men |
| Casualties | –about 300,000 men |
| Total | –approximately 400,000 men |
Probable enemy action:
a. The Germans will defend Berlin for which they will try to hold up the movement of the Soviet troops in the area of the Oder River, setting up the defense here at the expense of withdrawn troops and at the expense of reserves being moved over from Germany, Western Europe and Italy.
For the defense of Pomerania, they will try to use their Courland grouping, moving it over by sea beyond the Vistula.
b. The Germans will probably cover the direction leading to Vienna more strongly, strengthening this sector at the expense of troops now in action in Italy.
The shifting of enemy troops:
a. On our front there have already appeared:
| From the central regions of Germany | –9 division |
| From the Western European Front | –6 divisions |
| From Italy | –1 division |
| Total | 16 divisions |
b. In the process of being shifted:
- 4 tank divisions
- 1 motorized division
- 5 divisions
c. It is probable that there will yet be shifted up to 30–35 divisions (at the expense of the Western European Front, Norway, Italy, and reserves located in Germany).
In this manner there can appear on our front an additional 35 to 40 divisions.
Our wishes are:
a. To speed up the advance of the Allied troops on the Western Front, for which the present situation is very favorable:
- To defeat the Germans on the Eastern Front.
- To defeat the German groupings which have advanced into the Ardennes.
- The weakening of the German forces in the West in connection with the shifting of their reserves to the East.
It is desirable to begin the advance during the first half of February.
b. By air action on communications hinder the enemy from carrying out the shifting of his troops to the East from the Western Front, from Norway, and from Italy.
In particular, to paralyze the junctions of Berlin and Leipzig.
c. Not permit the enemy to remove his forces from Italy.
The President asked whether the Russians proposed to change the gauge of the railroad rolling stock captured from the Germans or to widen the gauge of the lines.
General Antonov replied that much of the equipment was unfit for use. At present the Russians are widening the gauge of those lines that are most vital to supply. These lines were being widened only as a matter of necessity as, manifestly, the available resources are not sufficient to widen all the railroads in Germany. The greater part of the German lines will remain intact.
The Prime Minister stated that the British Delegation would have a number of questions to address to the Russians. As these were of a technical and military nature, he thought it would be more advantageous if they could be brought up between the military staffs.
The Prime Minister then suggested that General Marshall explain to Marshal Stalin the impending operations on the Western Front.
The President pointed out the increasing necessity for coordinating the operations of the three Allies now that the British and American armies are getting so close to the Russians. By reason of the short distance separating the Western and Eastern Fronts the Germans are now able to transfer their reserves quickly from one front to the other.
General Marshall then gave a résumé of the operations planned for the Western Front. He said that the German bulge in the Ardennes had now been eliminated and the Allied forces have advanced in some areas beyond the line originally held. During the past week General Eisenhower has been regrouping his forces and conducting operations designed to eliminate enemy pockets in the southern part of the line north of Switzerland. At the same time, he has been maintaining pressure in the Ardennes area in order to determine whether the Germans were present in sufficient forces to resist a movement northeast towards Bonn. Because of the resistance encountered, it was decided four days ago to cease operations and to transfer divisions further north. In the southern end of the line, operations were being directed towards the elimination of the German positions in the vicinity of Mulhausen and Colmar. Colmar has now been occupied but the advance of the First French Army north of Mulhausen has been very slow.
North of Strasbourg the small German bridgeheads across the Rhine are being eliminated. As soon as the Rhine is reached it will be possible to reduce the number of divisions in the front line and release them for other employments. Some released divisions are even now moving north in preparation for the larger operations.
Field Marshal Montgomery, in command of the 21st Army Group and Ninth U.S. Army, is preparing an operation designed to strike towards the southeast in order to reach the line of the Rhine from Düsseldorf north. A complementary operation has been planned in a northeast direction towards the same objective, which it is hoped can be launched about a week later than the first operation. By means of these two operations it is hoped to drive the Germans east of the Rhine north of Düsseldorf and then to cross the river north of the Ruhr. This crossing will constitute the main effort of the British and American armies and into it will be put all of the divisions which it is logistically possible to support. In addition, airborne troops in large numbers will land east of the Rhine.
From the standpoint of weather, the passage of the Rhine is considered possible after 1 March. A crossing will be attempted as soon as the river is reached, but it is recognized that ice will make hazardous any crossing prior to 1 March. Three good crossing sites are available for the operation and a fourth may be attempted. However, the front of the assault will accommodate initially only five divisions.
Plans have been made for a secondary effort in the vicinity of Frankfurt which can be exploited if the main effort in the North should fail to go through. The troops composing the left of the American First Army are now conducting an operation designed to capture the two dams controlling the water in the Roer River. As long as these dams are in the hands of the Germans, there is a danger that the bridges established for the river crossing may be swept away by the release of the impounded water.
The opening of the port of Antwerp has relieved the limitation on operations on the Western Front imposed by a lack of supplies. It is now possible to bring in from 75,000 to 80,000 tons of dry cargo a day. The Germans have realized the importance of Antwerp in the Allied supply scheme and have made a continuous effort to interfere with the operations of that port through the use of robot bombs and rockets. This constitutes a danger as there is, of course, always a chance of a lucky hit being made against the Antwerp lock gates. Only scattered attacks have been made by air.
United States and British fighters and light bombers supporting the ground troops have destroyed a great deal of German transport. Considerable effort has been directed against trains operating in the vicinity of Cologne and on the east bank of the Rhine. Although definite final reports have not yet been received, there is every indication of severe damage having been done to panzer divisions withdrawing from the Ardennes.
The heavy bombers have been employed primarily against German oil supplies in order to reduce the German supply of fuel for airplanes and motor transport. Present data indicate that these operations have resulted in a reduction of German oil production to 20 percent of the former capacity. The heavy bombers have also been used against German rail communications and assembly yards and a continuous effort has been maintained to destroy German fighter forces. These planes have also struck heavily at tank factories. The air forces in these operations include United States heavy bombers operating from the Italian Front. When weather prevents profitable operations in the Po Valley, they are directed against communications leading into Germany.
There are now about 32 enemy divisions on the Italian Front, 27 German and 5 Italian. The number of Allied divisions is approximately equal. The Allied forces have great superiority in fighter airplanes and these, in good weather, are able to ravage the Po Valley. The destruction of rail lines and rolling stock has been heavy.
Indications point to a serious resumption of the German submarine war as the result of technical developments which are making the detection of the submarines increasingly difficult. The submarines have developed considerable skill in operating in shallow waters where the tide makes it difficult for ASDIC to locate them. In order to counter this submarine resurgence, heavy bombers are being employed to strike at submarine assembly points whenever these operations do not interfere with the bombing of the German oil supplies.
In concluding, General Marshall said he would be glad to have Field Marshal Sir Alan Brooke amplify his remarks in any way he thought desirable.
The Prime Minister stated he would be very glad for Field Marshal Brooke to do this and stated that he would like for Admiral Cunningham also to say a word about the submarine operations.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Danzig is the place where much of the assembling of the submarines is done and expressed satisfaction in the thought that the city is now not far from the Russian front lines, which are daily drawing closer.
In answer to a question from Marshal Stalin, the Prime Minister said that other submarine assembling points were Kiel and Hamburg.
Field Marshal Brooke said that General Marshall had fully covered the situation now existing on the Western Front and the operations which are contemplated for the future. He said that the British Chiefs of Staff were in full accord with the plan for the future operations which General Marshall had outlined.
The Prime Minister stated that both the British and Americans have amphibious branches in their services. The officer commanding the British amphibious branch is at present in ARGONAUT and he, the Prime Minister, would like very much to have him meet with the Russian amphibious experts and obtain from them any information which the Russians would be kind enough to provide.
In reply to a question from Marshal Stalin, General Marshall explained that the front of the main effort in the impending operations covered three crossings over a distance of 25 or 30 miles and afforded room for not more than five divisions. The front eventually would extend all along the Rhine down as far as Düsseldorf, a total of some 50 or 60 miles. He pointed out that, as was the case in Normandy, it will be necessary to assault initially on a narrow front but this front would be expanded as rapidly as possible. He said that the Ruhr was very heavily fortified and for that reason would be bypassed. However, troops attacking on this front would soon get into good tank country.
In answer to a question from Marshal Stalin, General Marshall said the reserves available for the proposed attack were believed to be ample.
Marshal Stalin said that he asked the question because in the Russian central campaign 9,000 tanks were used up. He would like to know how many tanks the Allies expected to employ.
General Marshall said that roughly one in every three divisions employed would be a tank division. He said that on March 1st General Eisenhower will have 89 divisions at his disposal to cover the front from the Mediterranean to Holland, not including Italy; nine of these were French and all the remainder were either British or American.
Through answers to his questions, it was made clear to Marshal Stalin that there are nearly 10,000 Allied tanks in the European Theater. The British divisions number 18,000 men, the American divisions 14,000, and armored divisions contain 10,000. There will be available 4,000 heavy bombers, each carrying up to 3,000 pounds of bombs.
Marshal Stalin explained that in their attack on the central German position, the Russians employed 100 divisions, which was 20 more than the Germans had. He was interested in the preponderance that the British and Americans would have over the Germans.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the British and American forces had overwhelming preponderance in airplanes and armored troops but not great preponderance in infantry. He stressed the necessity of exploiting to the full such superiority in strength as existed.
Marshal Stalin said that the British and Americans had asked the Russians to express their wishes. He would like to know now what the wishes of the British and Americans were.
The Prime Minister said that his greatest wish was to express profound gratitude and admiration as he witnessed the marvelous advance of the Russian troops. He said the British and Americans recognized the hard and difficult task lying before them in their impending operations but had full confidence in their power to execute it. All they could ask from the Russians was that the Russians continue to do as they are doing now.
Marshal Stalin said there had been no demand from the British and Americans for the Russian winter offensive and no pressure was exerted by them to bring it about.
The President had asked that information of the offensive be given to General Eisenhower in order to assist him in his planning and Air Marshal Tedder, who came to Moscow as General Eisenhower’s representative, had requested that the Russian offensive continue to the end of March but this was understood to be a request from the military leaders.
Marshal Stalin said they had staged their winter offensive because they felt it to be their duty as Allies to do it. They greatly appreciated the attitude manifested by both the President and the Prime Minister in this matter.
The Prime Minister said the reason that neither the British nor Americans had made any attempt to bargain with Marshal Stalin was because of their faith in him and in the Russian people and the realization that they could be depended on to do the right thing. It was his opinion that regardless of the discussions which had been held with Air Marshal Tedder, matters should be fully discussed now by the three Staffs in order to determine what is the best course to pursue with respect to the coordinating of the action on the Western and Eastern Fronts. It was imperative that the two offensives should be integrated so as to get the best results.
Marshal Stalin agreed that the offensives had not been fully synchronized at first and that action should be taken to do this now. He thought it would be well also to consider a summer offensive as he was not at all certain that the war would be over by that time.
Admiral Cunningham said that he would like to add something to General Marshall’s statement on the submarine warfare. He said while the submarine threat was potentially great it was not very serious at the moment. The point is, however, that the Germans are building large numbers of new types of U-boats. As these will have high underwater speed and embody all the latest technical devices, it will be very difficult for the Allied air and surface craft to deal with them. In Bremen, Hamburg and Danzig the new submarines were being built by prefabrication methods. His greatest wish as a naval man was for the Russians to take Danzig as quickly as possible for in that city about 30 percent of the U-boats were being constructed.
In answer to a question by the President, Marshal Stalin stated that Danzig was not yet within artillery range of the Russian guns but it was hoped that it soon would be.
Discussion then turned upon the time and place of the next meeting. After discussion, it was agreed that the Staffs of the three nations would meet at 1200 on Monday, 5 February, at the headquarters of the Russian Delegation.
The Pittsburgh Press (February 4, 1945)
REDS BATTLE FOR ODER CROSSINGS
Yanks assist Berlin drive with big raid
Russians storming Frankfurt, Kustrin
…
Fall of Manila due in few hours
U.S. advance guards believed already in outskirts of capital
By William B. Dickinson, United Press staff writer
Closing in for the kill, U.S. troops were expected to reach Manila today as two columns drove down on the Philippines capital from the Malolos and Sabang areas to the north and a third U.S. force drove against the city from the beachhead south of Manila Bay.
ALLIED HQ, LUZON, Philippines – Gen. Douglas MacArthur predicted yesterday that U.S. troops would be in Manila by today, climaxing the 108-day Philippines campaign.
It was believed here early today that advance elements had possibly reached the capital’s outskirts.
The official daily war bulletin issued at 6 a.m. today (5 p.m. Saturday ET) placed Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler’s 37th Infantry Division vanguards “less than” 15 miles north of Manila as of 6 p.m. Friday.
MacArthur, visiting the 37th Infantry Division’s advance units, said at 3 p.m. Saturday: “I believe we’ll make it tomorrow (Sunday).”
It may be stated today that the exact time of our entry into Manila is still uncertain, but it seems possible that advance elements may at least be in the outskirts by the time this is published. Capture of the city was believed to be a matter of hours.
Jap casualties for the first three weeks of the Luzon campaign, which started Jan. 9, were 33,000, it was announced. This compares to 1,271 Americans killed, 219 missing, and 4,099 wounded – a total of 5,389 or a ratio of almost 6-1 over the enemy.
The daily headquarters communiqué today, covering action through Friday, placed the 37th Infantry Division less than 15 miles from Manila, the 1st Cavalry Division to the east 22 miles north of Manila and the 11th Airborne Division coming up from the south 34 miles away. The prongs of the northern and southern pincers were within 53 miles of a junction un the center of the ancient city.
Dispatches from the 37th Infantry Division sector Saturday indicated U.S. troops were near the northern edge of the city.
Reported two miles away
The British radio quoted an unidentified American broadcaster using a mobile transmitter from the front lines that forward patrols had pushed within two miles of Manila without opposition.
The 37th Infantry Division’s new advance represented a gain of about three miles from positions last held before the town of Malolos, 17½ miles from Manila.
To the east, Maj, Gen. Verne D. Mudge’s 1st Cavalry Division veterans of Leyte pushed across the Angat River at the town of Bustos, 22 miles north of Manila. Patrols of that force had reached Sabang, on the north bank of the river 1½ miles north of Bustos, Thursday, but the main body was then well to the rear.
Near highway junction
The 1st Cavalry Division moving down Highway 5 was nine miles north of Biga, 13 miles from Manila and near which Highway 5 merges with Highway 3. The 37th Infantry Division moving down Highway 3 was five miles west of Biga.
At the southern end of the front, in Batangas Province, Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Swing’s 11th Airborne Division troops, who had driven ashore Wednesday, pushed through the town of Caylungon and were 27 miles due south of the Cavite Naval Base.
Troops of Maj. Gen. Charles P. Hall’s 11th Corps driving eastward across the northern tip of Bataan were meeting increasing resistance, the bulletins said, as they reached the vicinity of Balsic, eight miles east of Olongapo and within six miles of sealing off the top of the bloody peninsula.
Advance in north
At the extreme northern end of the Luzon front, Maj. Gen. Innis P. Swift’s First Corps troops battled through the rugged Caraballo Mountains for a two-mile advance 26 miles southeast of Baguio.
Steady progress was also reported near the headwaters of the Pampanga River, where nine Jap tanks were knocked out and heavy casualties inflicted on the Japs. The stubbornly-defended town of Umingan was captured by the 25th Infantry Division.
Heavy bombers, meanwhile, battered Cavite and Corregidor, starting numerous fires and explosions. Jap planes raided U.S. positions on Lingayen Gulf by night without causing damage.
‘Manila Derby’
A front dispatch reported that as Gen. MacArthur approached the front lines Saturday and heard the crash of Jap mortars in one sector, he received a tremendous ovation from Filipinos lining the roads and throwing flowers in the path of his jeep.
United Press staff writer H. D. Quigg with the 37th Infantry Division reported the Yanks were wearing hibiscus blossoms in their helmets as they thrust down Highway 3 in a driver to win the “Manila Derby” against the 1st Cavalry division moving down Highway 5 along the east bank of the Pampanga River.
A CBS correspondent reported from Luzon that pilots of the 1st Marine Air Wing swept over one of Manila’s principal streets at 200 feet without meeting anti-aircraft fire. The pilots reported no traffic was moving in Manila, but that it was possible that Japs had some tanks and armor hiding in strategic spots and were planning “futile house to house fighting.”
Civilians ordered out
A United Press dispatch from the 37th Infantry Division’s front said the Japs ordered civilians to evacuate Manila – the city’s population had been swelled from 673,000 to one million with the influx of war refugees – and roads leading northward from the city were clogged with weary natives.
The dispatch said that two columns of gray and white smoke rose 4,000 feet over the city. They came from the railroad yards and dock areas, indicating the Japs might have begun destroying military installations. It reported that only a few Jap troops and marines remained in the city.
Oder River battle sighted by Yanks on Berlin raid
Fighter pilots report 10-to-1 Russian superiority in barrage east of Nazi capital
…
Yanks push through forest deep into Siegfried Line
First Army threatens two rear West Wall anchors – French advance below Colmar
…
‘Fight to last,’ Jap general says
By the United Press
Japan “will defend the Philippines until the last” and will fight on to final victory “even though Tokyo should be reduced to ashes,” Gen. Iwano Matsui, president of the Asia Development Headquarters of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association, told a Tokyo rally today.
Matsui’s speech, broadcast by Tokyo radio and recorded by United Press at San Francisco, emphasized Japan’s East Asia policy and declared the Nipponese would not “abandon the Philippines to Anglo-American aggression.”
The Japanese general declared that President Jose Laurel of the Tokyo-sponsored Philippine Quisling government “must not taste the bitter cup as Aguinaldo did 40 years ago.”
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