Messages to military headquarters on Hitler's decisions to postpone A-day (the invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands) (November 1939-May 1940), a time-table for the preparation of the attack, an initial order for the attack, and the final order (May 1940)

Berlin, 7 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept. LI No. 207/39 Top Secret Important Matter
5 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 7 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, after hearing reports on the meteorological and the railway transport situation, has ordered:
A-day is postponed for the time being by three days. The next decision will be made by 1800 hours on 9 November 39.
[signed]: KEITEL
Distribution:
OKH
OKM
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L.
WFA
L -----------Berlin, 10 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/L I No. 208/39 Top Secret Important Matter
8 copies
TOP SECRET 2d copy
Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 9 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, after hearing a report on the meteorological situation, has decided:
The earliest date designated for A-day is 19 November. The next decision hereon will be made by 1800 hours on 13 November.
[signed] : KEITEL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H — 1st copy :
Ob.d.M . ... 2nd copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L — 3d copy
OKW:
WFA 4th copy
L _. ... 5th-8th copy
693259—46— 57
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Berlin, 13 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/L I No 212/39 Top Secret Important Matter
6 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 13 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander, after receiving a report on the meteorological situation, has decided: The next decision on A-day will be made on Thursday, 16 November. A-day therefore definitely not before Wednesday, 22 November.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : KEITEL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H.............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M.............. 2d copy * 6
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L.... 3d copy
WFA.................. 4th copy
OKW/L............... 5th and 6th copies
Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
Berlin, 16 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/ Dept L I No 21/./39 Top Secret Important Matter
6 copies
. 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 16 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander, after hearing a report on the meteorological situation, has decided: The next decision on A-day will be made on Monday, 20 November. A-day therefore definitely not before Sunday, 26 November.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed]: KEITEL
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Distribution:
Ob.d.H.............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M.............. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L____ 3d copy
WFA.................. 4th copy __
OKW/L............... 5th and 6th copies
. Berlin, 20 November 1939
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept L No 217/39 Top Secret Important Matter
8 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET '
Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 20 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander, after hearing a report on the meteorological situation, has decided:
The next decision on A-day will be made on Monday, 27 November. A-day therefore definitely not before Sunday 3 December.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : KEITEL
Distribution:
OKH................. 1st copy
OKM................ 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L... 3d copy
OKW:
Chief WFA...... 4th copy
Chief L........ 5th copy
la............. 6th copy
lb.............. 7th copy
Ic.............. 8th copy
895
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Berlin, 27 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept L No 219/39 Top Secret Important Matter
8 copies
TOP SECRET 2d C°Py
Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 27 November the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has decided:
1. All mobile units are to be transported immediately to the transit quarters.
2. The next decision on A-day will be made at 1800 hours on 4 December.
3. Earliest date of next A-day 9 December.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed]: KEITEL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H..___...... ... 1st copy
Ob.d.M............. 2d copy * 5
E.dJj. u. Ob.d.L.__ 3d copy
OKW:
WFA............. 4th copy
Chief L........ 5th copy
Ia-Ic.......... 6th-8th copy
Berlin, 29 November 1939 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces Department for National Defense No. 223/39 Top Secret Important Matter
5 copies
TOP SECRET 2d C°Py
Important
Only by hand of Officer
Enclosed the time-table for the preparations of the attack in the West No. 223/39 Top Secret Important Matter, 2d copy.
The time table sent on 8 November 1939 under No. 196/39 Top Secret Important Matter to be destroyed. [Marginal handwritten note: destroyed.]
For the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] JODL
896
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Distribution:
Ob.d.H.............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M.............. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L... 3d copy
OKW:
Chief OKW______ 4th copy
Chief WFA______ 5th copy
Berlin, 29 November 1939
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces Department for National Defense No 223/39 Top Secret Important Matter
10 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
TIME-TABLE FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE ATTACK
IN THE WEST
A-day = Day of Attack
No Time Army Navy Air Force Remarks
1. A-day minus 5 1800 hrs. Decision by Fuehrer as to A-day. 1. Next decision 4 Dec. at 1800 hours. 2. Attack can be stopped until A-day minus 1 at 2300 hours if disadvantages will be accepted.
2. A-day minus 1 during the day Air Force units move to for-w a r d airfields.
3. A-day minus 1 1200 hrs. Last moment at which an order of the day by the Fuehrer lias to reach the C-in-C of the Army, if it is to reach company commanders before the commencement of the attack (telephone transmission unavoidable).
4. A-day minus 1 2300 hrs. Latest moment for stopping the attack.
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Distribution:
Ob.d.H.
Ob.d.M.
1st copy
2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L.,. 3d copy
OKW:
Chief OKW...... 4th copy
Chief WFA_______ 5th copy
Chief L......... 6th copy
Ia-Ic.......... 7th-9th copy
K....................10th copy
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept L No 226/39 Top Secret Important Matter
Berlin, 4 December 1939
8 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 4 December the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has decided:
1. The next decision on A-day will be made at 1800 hours on 6 December.
2. Earliest date of next A-day 11 December.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M............. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L. OKW:
WFA........
Chief L....
Ia-Ic......
3d copy
4th copy 5th copy Gth-8th copies
898
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Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept L N 22 230/39 Top Secret
Berlin, 6 December 1939
8 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 6 December the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has decided:
1. The next decision on A-day will be made at 1800 hours on 12 December.
2. Earliest date of next A-day 17 December.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H.............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M.............. 2d copy * 1 2 3
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L... 3d copy
OKW:
WFA............. 4th copy
Chief L........ 5th copy
Ia-Ic.......... 6th-8th copies
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/No. 22/39 Top Secret Important Matter
Berlin, 12 December 1939
8 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 12 December the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has ordered:
1. The next decision on A-day will be made by 1800 hours on 27 December.
2. Earliest date of next A-day therefore 1 January 1940.
3. Christmas leave to be arranged accordingly by the branches of the armed forces.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] :
JODL
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Distribution:
OKH
OKM
1st copy
2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L..... 3d copy
WFA................... 4th copy
L..................... 5th-8th copy
TOP SECRET Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA/Dept L No 22 2UU/39 Top Secret Important Matter
. Berlin, 27 December 1939
8 copies 2d copy
Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
On 27 December the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has made the following decision:
In view of general meteorological situation, the date of the attack is further postponed, as far as can be foreseen by at least a fortnight. The next decision will be made at the latest by 1800 hours on 9 January.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H.............. 1st copy
Ob.d.M.............. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L..... 3d copy
OKW:
WFA............. 4th copy
Chief L......... 5th copy
Dept L Ia-Ic.... 6th-8th copies
[handwritten note] : Group W advised by teleprinter 1800 on 27 Dec.
[handwritten] Note: According to information Lib (H), the above means that the earliest A-day is the 9 Jan. and the latest day for a decision is also the 9 Jan. Rectification accordingly by Top Secret message No 2821 on 28 Dec. to Group West.
[Initial]
900
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[handwritten] :
Date Moon phase
2 Jan last quarter
9 Jan new moon
17 Jan first quarter
24 Jan full moon
31 Jan last quarter
TOP SECRET .
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
WFA/Dept L (lb) No 2224-7/39 Top Secret Important Matter
Berlin, 30 December 1939 Important Matter .
Only by hand of Officer To: The High Command of the Navy
Subject: Ski B No 1 Ski Io Op. 512/39 Top Secret Important Matter
Re: Clarification of date for A-day
Your interpretation that the earliest date for A-day is now the 9 January, but that the next decision will also be made at the latest by 1800 hours of the same day is confirmed as correct.
Should the attack take place in the period between the 9 January and 14 January 1940, NavalHigh Command will receive the necessary notification (warning-order) early, i. e. 9 days before the commencement of the attack.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
No 22007/40 Top Secret Important Matter OKW/WFA LI
Berlin, 9 January 1940
8 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
A decision on the date of A-day will not be made before 10 January 1940.
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For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed]: JODL
Distribution:
OKU................... 1st copy
OKM.................. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L.. 3d copy
OKW:
Chief WFA ....... 4th copy
Chief L.......... 5th copy
la............... 6th copy
lb............... 7th copy
Ic............... 8th copy
[handwritten] Note: Has been passed by telephone by the I/Skl Io on 9 Jan 40 to A I Group West.
[Initial]
Berlin, 11 January 1940 Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA No 2201U/U0 Top Secret Matter Dept L (I)
9 copies
Important Matter ' ^ copy
Only by hand of Officer Re: Contingency "Yellow."
On 10 January 1940 the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, after receiving reports from the Commander in Chief of the Air Force, the Commander in Chief of the Navy, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, has ordered the following :
1. A-day and X-hour:
A-day is Wednesday, 17 January 40. (Wednesday, 17 in ink)
X-hour 15 minutes before sunrise at Aix-la-Chapelle on A-day = 0816 hours. (0816 in ink)
The code-name "Rhine" or "Elbe" (see instruction No 8 for the conduct of the war, dated 20 November 39, No 1) will be issued before 2300 hours on A-day minus 1, provided the weather forecast permits.
2. Employment of the 7th Air Div. The operation is to be carried through according to the instructions so far given, with the following modification :
For the 7th Air Div., besides the "North" and the "South" drives, a third drive (code-name: "Einsatz fortress") is to be
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prepared for obtaining possession of the heart of the Dutch fortress. The Supreme Command of the Army makes preparations to enable it to break quickly into the Dutch fortress beyond the goal hitherto designated, that is the Maas-Grebbe line, should the "Einsatz fortress" be the order given to the 7th Air Div.
The decision on the "Einsatz fortress" will be made at the latest on the morning of A-day minus 1. The "North" and "South" drives can only be considered if by A-day, a sufficient depth of snow improves jumping and landing conditions near Ghent and along the Maas, which at the moment are fraught with difficulties.
3. Air Force Attack on the Enemy Air Force. If the weather is suitable, the air force will on 14 January 40 attack with all available forces the majority of the occupied enemy airfields in northeastern and eastern France by surprise, with the principal aim of destroying the fighter and reconnaissance aircraft stationed there. For this attack, the air force is at liberty to fly across Luxemburg and, as far as necessary, also across Belgian and Dutch territory.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
„. . .. [signed] : KEITEL
Distribution:
OKH................. 1st copy
OKM................. 2d copy * 5
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L..... 3d copy
OKW
Chief WFA_______ 4th copy
Dept L_________ 5th-9th copies
TOP SECRET
Berlin, 13 January 39 [sic] Supreme Command of the Armed Forces WFA No 3/40 Top Secret Important Matter Re: Contingency "Yellow."
5 copies
Important Matter 2d copy
By hand of Officer Only
On account of the meteorological situation, the Fuehrer has decided to postpone A-day, probably to 20 January 40. Latest time for issue of orders re above is 1800 hours on A-day minus 5.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL 6015
903
Distribution:
OKH.............;... 1st copy
OKM................. 2d copy
R.d.L. u. Ob.d.L.. 3d copy
OKW/WFA........... 4th copy
L.._.............. 5th copy
Berlin, 7 May 1940
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
WFA/Dept L No 22 179/bO Top Secret Important Matter
5 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
1. The orders:
OKW/L No 22 176/40 Top Secret Important Matter, dated 6 May 40 and
OKW/L No 22 177/40 Top Secret Important Matter, dated 6 May 40 are cancelled.
2. The new A-day will be ordered, according to the weather situation, at 1200 hours on A-day minus 1 only. A new X-hour will be given accordingly.
Next decision at 1200 hours on 8 May.
For the Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed] : JODL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H 1st copy
Ob.d.M 2d copy
Ob.d.L 3d copy
WFA , 4th copy
Dept L.—i 5th copy
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Berlin, 9 May 1940
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
WFA/ Dept L No 22 180/40 Top Secret Important Matter
5 copies 2d copy
TOP SECRET Important Matter Only by hand of Officer
The Fuehrer and Supreme Commander has decided:
A-day.....10 May
X-hour....0535 hours
The code-words "Danzig" or "Augsburg" to reach the branches of the armed forces by 2130 hours on the 9 May at the latest.
The Chief of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces
[signed]: KEITEL
Distribution:
Ob.d.H______________— 1st copy
Ob.d.M,............. 2d copy
Ob.d.L............. 3d copy
OKW:
Chief WFA_____ 4th copy
Chief L....... 5th copy