David Grier - Hitler, Dönitz, and the Baltic Sea: The Third Reich’s Last Hope, 1944–1945

HITLER|DNITZ

AND THE BALTIC SEA

THE THIRD REICHS LAST HOPE, 19441945

HOWARD D. GRIER

Naval Institute Press

Annapolis, Maryland

The latest edition of this work has been brought to publication with the generous assistance of Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest.

Naval Institute Press

291 Wood Road

Annapolis, MD 21402

2007 by Howard D. Grier

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-61251-413-0 (eBook)

The Library of Congress has cataloged the hardcover edition as follows:

Grier, Howard D., 1955

Hitler, Dnitz, and the Baltic Sea : the Third Reichs last hope, 19441945/by Howard D. Grier.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. World War, 19391945CampaignsBaltic Sea Region. 2. World War,

19391945Germany. I. Title.

D764.7.B3G73 2007

940.5421479dc22

2007000557

Print editions meet the requirements of ANSI/NISO z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).

14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

First printing

For Sandy and Anna Mei

Note on geographic terms:In general, German terms for cities and geographic locations are used throughout the text. The maps provide current names with the German term in parentheses.

I N THE PREPARATION of this work I have benefited from the kind assistance of many people. I am particularly indebted to the staff of several archival institutions: the Bundesarchiv/Militrarchiv in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, particularly Herr Moritz and Dr. Maierhfer; the Bundesarchiv in Berlin-Lichterfelde; Manuela Vack at the Bundesarchiv Koblenz; Karin Popp of Munichs Institut fr Zeitgeschichte; Harry Riley at the National Archives; the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Kathy Lloyd and Ken Johnson at the Washington Navy Yards Naval Operational Archives; and Dr. Erik Norberg of the Kungl. Krigsarchiv in Stockholm, who went far beyond the call of duty. Herr Dipl. Ing. Peter Schrner kindly granted the author permission to examine his fathers papers. I am grateful to Erskine Colleges Faculty Development Committee for granting funds for archival research and the preparation of maps. The interlibrary borrowing departments of McCain Library at Erskine, particularly Sara Morrison, and of Davis Library at UNC-Chapel Hill provided invaluable assistance in obtaining books and microfilm used in this study.

Professor Gerhard L. Weinberg has been extremely helpful in providing guidance on this project from its inception as an M.A. thesis. His vast knowledge of the Nazi period and its sources prevented the author from making innumerable blunders, and his gentle but persistent prodding to publish the manuscript is greatly appreciated. Professors Willis Brooks, David Griffiths, Donald Reid, and Russel van Wyk offered helpful comments and suggestions on the dissertation that forms the basis of this study. Also of great value were observations from fellow graduate students David Yelton, Norm Goda, Doris Bergen, and Sandra Chaney. Professor Charles Thomas kindly read portions of the revised manuscript and offered helpful suggestions. Dr. Hans Engler deciphered some of Admiral Meisels handwriting and improved the authors translation of a speech by Admiral Dnitz. Thanks are also due to my departmental colleagues at Erskine College: Sandra Chaney, Nancy Erickson, Gary Freeze, Jim Gettys, the late Bill Kuykendall, and Don Weatherman. I am also grateful to my students at Erskine, whose questions and comments have helped me to strive to be more clear and concise. I appreciate the assistance of Mark Gatlin of the Naval Institute Press for patiently guiding me through the process of publication, and that of Chris Robinson for creating the maps. I am also deeply grateful to Mr. Edward S. Miller for his generous contribution to help defray the cost of publication.

Richard, Erika, Vera, Ingrid, and Harald Mller of Eskilstuna, Sweden, provided friendship and sustenance, as well as tutoring in the Swedish language, with the greatest possible hospitality. I especially appreciate the support of my parents, Dr. John M. and the late Marjorie D. Grier, for their support. Finally, I am most of all indebted to my wife Sandy, who read much of the manuscript and offered valuable suggestions, and to my daughter Anna Mei, who has taught me that there are many things more important than history. All errors, of course, are mine, and any benefit derived from this work is due in great part to those listed above.

Assmann, Capt. Heinz: naval operations officer on Armed Forces High Command operations staff, August 1943May 1945

Blanc, Cdr. Adalbert von: commander of Ninth Escort Division, October 1944May 1945

Boheman, Erik: secretary-general at the Swedish Foreign Ministry

Bonin, Col. Bogislaw von: head of OKHs operations section, September 1944January 1945

Burchardi, Adm. Theodor: Admiral Ostland, November 1941June 1944; Commanding Admiral Eastern Baltic, June 1944April 1945

Conrady, Capt. Heinz-Dietrich von: naval liaison officer to Army General Staff, August 1944May 1945

Dnitz, Grand Adm. Karl: commander in chief of the German navy, January 1943April 1945; Reich president, May 1945

Engelhardt, Rear Adm. Konrad: head of the Navys Shipping Department; sea transport chief of the Wehrmacht, January 1944May 1945

Foertsch, Gen. Friedrich: Chief of Staff, Eighteenth Army, December 1943January 1945; Chief of Staff, Army Group Courland, JanuaryMay 1945

Forshell, Anders: Swedish naval attach to Berlin

Friedeburg, Adm. Hans-Georg von: commanding admiral for U-boats, February 1943April 1945; commander in chief of the German navy, May 1945

Friessner, Gen. Hans: Commander, Army Detachment Narva, MayJuly 1944; Commander, Army Group North, July 1944

Fuchs, Adm. Werner: chief of the Main Office for Warship Construction, 1939November 1944

Gehlen, Gen. Reinhard: chief of Army Eastern Military Intelligence (Foreign Armies East), April 1942March 1945

Gersdorff, Gen. Curt-Ulrich von: Army Group North operations officer, July 1943October 1944; Chief of Staff, Sixteenth Army, October 1944May 1945