740.00119 Control (Germany)/5–1545: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 16—1:28 a.m.]
2657. From Murphy. For the Department’s most secret information following preliminary report sent SHAEF by General Rooks, head of SHAEF control party at OKW:84
Dönitz was summoned and ordered to arrest Keitel and was informed that until such time as SHAEF named a successor Jodl would replace him.
Dönitz stressed three points: (first) that food situation was extremely serious particularly in the--north where flour would run out in 2 days. Since regions in Germany were interdependent it would be necessary to get supplies rapidly moved if starvation is to be averted; (second) there is no coal in north Germany whatsoever. It must come from the Ruhr; (third) money in the bank in north Germany would be exhausted in 2 days. The population would therefore be unable to purchase commodities.
The above led Dönitz to stress the necessity for central German authority in order that essential orders should be issued.
My interview (General Rooks) with Keitel was short and to the point. He took his arrest calmly.
I (General Rooks) summoned Jodl and informed him of his new temporary appointment and told him that all instructions would be issued to him in writing and in the name of the Supreme Commander. He stated he would unhesitatingly carry out all orders given to him. From a copy of a secret SHAEF memorandum captured by the Germans from a British armored car he realised our intention not to permit a repetition of 1918 and he said he would not attempt it.
My (General Rooks) first impressions are: (1) for obvious reasons a great desire to retain a central German authority. Possibility of disturbance and chaos if immediate economic steps are not taken is used to reinforce the German argument that they are the people best suited to issue orders; (2) an intention to execute the capitulation terms to the letter since the Germans think it is the best way to avert chaos and so to again settle down.
[Page 782]All knowledge was denied by Dönitz of the whereabouts of Himmler. [Murphy.]
- The Supreme Headquarters Control Party (OKW) headed by Maj. Gen. Lowell W. Rooks, U.S.A., Deputy G–3 at SHAEF, was dispatched to the headquarters of the German High Command at Flensburg May 10–12. Its mission was to impose the will of the Supreme Commander on OKW in the areas of Germany occupied by the Western Allies, i.e., to take initial steps necessary to implement the act of surrender. To carry out his mission, General Rooks was empowered to issue the necessary orders, supervise their transmission through German Command channels, and compile information about the German Command system. A group of Soviet officers joined the Control Party at Flensburg to participate in the control operation.↩