Informational Post: OoB Fall Grün 1938

[Stauffenberg II]

Hi all!

I thought that some you of you might be interested in the Order of Battle of Fall Grün, the planned attack against the Czech Republic in 1938. I found the order in a recent published book. The author gives as primary source: geplante Stellenbesetzung, Handakt Schmundt, IMT XXV S. 477/78. The order is interesting for three reasons:

-) one can see the mobilisation of the GE armies
-) one can see which elder generals were planned to head the armies
-) a distribution and location is given for most of the active forces

Source: Michaelis, Klaus (2004): 1938, Krieg gegen die Tschechoslowakei, Der Fall Grün

Center Forces, [directly headed by OKH]

2. Armee [Gruppe 1]: Rundstedt/Salmuth/Hasse (Wilhelm), HQ: Cosel
II., VIII. Korps, 8., 23., 28., 30. ID, 3. PD, 1 Trsp. Rgt.

8. Armee [Gruppe 3]: Bock/Felber/Hauffe, HQ: Freiburg/Schlesien
III., XI. Korps, 3., 18., 19., 31. ID

10. Armee [Gruppe 4]: Reichenau/Bernard/Dostler, HQ: Schwandorf
XIII., XIV., XVI. Korps, 10., 17., 24. ID, 2., 13., 20. mot. ID, 1. PD, 1. LD

12. Armee [mob]: Leeb/Lewinski/Blumentritt, HQ: Passau
V., VII., IX. Korps, 5., 7., 9., 15., 16., 25., 27, 45., 1. GD, 1 Trsp. Rgt.

14. Armee [Gruppe 5]: List/Ruoff/Wöhler, HQ: Wien
XVII., XVIII. Korps, Feldkommando zbV, 44. ID, 2., 3. GD, 29. mot., 2. PD, 4. LD

IV. Korps (selbst.): [Schwedler/Olbricht/Röhricht], HQ: Herrnhut
4., 14. ID

Grenzschutzabschnittskommando 5: [Waldenfels (Wilhelm)]

Forces West, headed by:

Gruppe 2: Adam/Wietersheim/Müller (Vinzenz), heading:

1. Armee [mob]: Beck/Apell (Georg)/Greiffenberg
33., 34., 36. ID

5. Armee [mob]: Liebmann/Sodenstern/Düvert
26. ID

7. Armee [mob]: Seutter von Lötzen/Model/Witzleben (Hermann)
35. ID

and 3 active Corps (VI, XII, Saarpfalz).

[East-Prussia]

3. Armee [I. Korps]: Küchler/Hollidt/Wagner (Herbert)

[Pommern]

4. Armee [mob]: Hammerstein/Viebahn/Metz (Eduard)

OKH Reserves consisted of 3 Divisions.

The reaction of the Reichsheer pro Gen. d. Inf. Hans Freiherr Seutter von Lötzen considering this plan allegedly was: "Ja, sind denn diese Leute wahnsinnig geworden" (S. 130).

I hope that it is of some interest.

[Dieter Zinke]

Thank you dear Stauffenberg,

that helps a lot. I want to explain the names, for example

Rundstedt/Salmuth/Hasse (Wilhelm)

that means
OB: Rundstedt
Chef des Stabes: Salmuth
Ia: Hasse

DZ

[JC]

Yes, very interesting, thanks Stauffenberg!

I must say I'm a little surprised to see Gustav v.Wietersheim as CdS Gruppe 2. I believe that he would have been a Korps K.G. at that time and I don't know if he had ever held a staff position.

Thanks again.

BR.................Jeff

[Stauffenberg II]

Hi Jeff,

I think Wietersheim was quite qualified for such a position, because he consecutively held the General Staff positions of

1. Chef des Stabes 3. Kavallerie-Division
2. Abt. Ltr. Op. Abt. (T 1)
3. Oberquartiermeister I

BR

[JC]

Thanks Stauffenberg, I stand corrected... could you give me dates for those postings for Wietersheim please?

BR.............JC

[Stauffenberg II]

Hi Jeff,

unfortunately I don´t have the exact dates because I am still waiting for my Biblio copy of "Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Heere", ordered early in December.

Wietersheim was Chief of Staff 3. Kav. Div. as per as 01.05.1932, but I am not able to give you the start and stop date. He succeeded Lüdke. As regards Abt. Ltr. T 1 I have 01.02.1934-30.06.1935. As regards the Oberquartiermeister I position: 01.07.1935-30.09.1936

J.

Throwing in for good measure:

Königreich Preußen, Haus-Orden von Hohenzollern, Ritterkreuz mit Schwertern
Königreich Preußen, Eisernes Kreuz 1. und 2. Klasse
Königreich Bayern, Militär-Verdienstorden, 4. Klasse mit Schwertern
Herzogtum Braunschweig, Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse
Kaiserreich Österreich und Königreich Ungarn, Orden der Eisernen Krone, 3. Klasse mit KD
Kaiserreich Österreich und Königreich Ungarn, Militär-Verdienstkreuz 3. Klasse mit KD

Before becoming Chief of Staff 3. Kav. Div. he was CO of the III. (Preuß.) (Jäg.) Btl./17. Infanterie-Regiment in Goslar.

[VJK]

Hi Gentlemen!

I have Wietersheim as C of S, 3. Kav. Div.: 1 Feb 1932 (succeeding Lüdke) - 13 Jun 1933 (succeeded by Erik-Oskar Hansen).

Regards,

VJK

[JC]

Thanks Stauffenberg & thanks for the additional info, you too VJK, much appreciated.

Best Regards to you both.............Jeff

[Stauffenberg II]

Another staff position of Wietersheim:

01.07.1933-31.01.1934: Chef des Stabes 3. Division, HQ: Berlin (followed by Manstein on 01.02.1934)