740.0011 EW/12–2144: Telegram
The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:14 p.m.]
8243. Early December days brought reports Reich leaders intended start new peace probing. It is said that all Reichswehr Ministry42 and OKH43 leaders profess that destruction German cities and publicized plans to annihilate Reich so raised German civilian and soldier morale that there is now reasonable prospect for Reich to prolong war into 1946. However, leaders condition prospect on premise that Reich does not in interim lose major part of its material resources particularly coal. Leaders also say that resistance to a Russian attempt to enter Austria and Bavaria would be as stubborn as in East Prussia and would be aided by better strategic possibilities; that OKH strategic goal was substantially attained in Aachen-Cologne area where they expect to prolong war of position materially; that battles in Saar are serious but Reich has sufficient reserves ready to prevent break through there; and that battles in Alsace are purely delaying operations.
Despite far from hopeless military picture which leaders paint, only those completely dominated by party thought are said to desire actually to prolong war another year or two. The others know that very heavy losses are sapping German national energy to point where Reich eventually would become feather in storm of mightier forces. Therefore they wish to make peace either with Russia or its western Allies whichever offers best possibility. To attain peace, Generals are prepared even to undertake struggle to liquidate Nazis and regime; but before doing so, they desire assurance only that they would not have to fight simultaneously against external enemies and that their personal security and future prospects are guaranteed.
[Page 573]Actually feelers seem to have been made. Reports to our Consul General at Zurich44 and from another credible source say Himmler delegate in Konstanz (on Swiss border) pretends Himmler believes he might be able to reach compromise peace with western democracies. Delegate also said there is now so little fighting on Russian front that German soldiers and officers no longer fear transfer there; Reich will soon expose new secret weapon to bring Allies to early peace; German plane output exceeds losses and there is enough food in Reich to prolong fighting at least another year. He concluded by arresting statement that greatest peril at moment for Reich is approaching breakdown of transport system.
On other hand, as at moments of similar past peace-probing, Nazi chiefs are pictured as determined to fight on even at cost of bleeding populace white in hope that losses of western adversaries would push them to consider peace. But as they are not altogether certain of attaining their end, they do utmost to assure resurrection of party by establishing future clandestine Nazi movement. Among other things, latter selects SS men for training in “communist phraseology” intended to aid them to infiltrate later into anticipated communist groups which they would then lead against democratic occupying powers. Movement also expects use many communist renegades now active leaders in Nazi party and in its ranks for infiltration.
Hitler is definitely said not to be dead; long seriously ill and incapacitated, he can be expected to return to active life. However, he will find Himmler–Bormann–Goebbels triumvirate disinclined relinquish either real or agency power which they arrogated to selves during his incapacitation. South German Volkssturm45 continues train in use of light MG carbines,46 pistols, Panzerfaust47 and hand-grenades but must surrender all weapons after practice. Although those liable to service chafe under added heavy burden, they are said to persevere because they feel they have no alternative but to defend selves against Allied advance. South German civilians continue work hard on “formidable” West wall fortifications on right bank of Rhine. It is probably no mere coincidence that reports of actual and pending peace probing by Himmler agents and Generals (after recent purge in officer corps, each element probably acts with full knowledge if not connivance of other) reached here slightly in advance of launching of large scale German counteroffensive against Belgium and Luxembourg. Nor is it strange that probing is accompanied by usual intimidating [Page 574] propaganda themes—determination defend every meter German soil prolonging war into 1946, unfeasibility Russian attempt enter Reich through Austria and Bavaria, inclination of party chiefs do one thing and important general clique do another, “semi-peacefulness” of Russian front, third secret weapon, menacing difficulties from new clandestine Nazi movement, future communist Germany, determination of despairing Volkssturm fight to defend homes, “formidable” fortifications on right bank of Rhine, et cetera.
Party and military chiefs could hope that desperate display of German military vigor might be good spade work for peace probing disconcerting Anglo-American peoples and Governments if not their military leaders to point that they might waver in their steadfastness and desire to establish contact with Himmler agents here or elsewhere.
They could hope that impressive counterthrust in Belgium and Luxembourg on scale of those made several times during last two years in Russia, might also cause Russian leaders to view peace overtures as advisable. It must not be forgotten that there is no conclusive evidence that Nazi chief[s], if not also their Generals, have abandoned their fundamental Germanic illusion that, as between their adversaries and selves, they have stronger nerves and staying power. Legation recently reported intelligence indicating quite widely-shared German belief, even in high military circles, that battle spirit of all three major Allies in coalition of their enemies had materially sunk this autumn. It is, therefore, not at all impossible that supreme leadership of Nazi Germany (in which seemingly Generals must now be included) has decided as measure of despair to attempt now a sortie from “Festung Deutschland” in hope that it will shock adversaries’ nerves and consequently disorganize their military potential to extent that peace negotiations might follow. Disappointed in this hope, leaders would be expected to try bolster up German civilian and soldier morale by claiming success in unsettling winter offensive plans of western Allies.
- German Armed Forces Ministry.↩
- Oberkommando des Heeres.↩
- Sam E. Woods.↩
- The Volkssturm was that part of the German Army which was conscripted late in World War II and was composed of men heretofore not used; in the armed forces, mostly those under 16 and over 60 years of age.↩
- Lightweight automatic rifle.↩
- German anti-tank weapon.↩