Case Waldgeist: Thoughts from the Commanders 4

+ + TOP SECRET + +

TO: Captain Jiří Sláma, Commanding Officer, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Tank Brigade

FROM: Brig. General Ludvík Svodobda, Commander, I. Czechoslovak Army Corps

ORDERS: For Immediate Implementation in Operation Bílá Hora, CODE BLUE-SEVEN

1600:GMT:15.5.1944

Captain Sláma:

We are distressed by reports of losses at Burtonhole farm, but encouraged by your valiant efforts in the face of superior forces. You are to immediately link up with British and American elements to shore up the defense of the River Thames. The war will hinge on our successes—if London falls, so too do hopes of restoring our homeland to its rightful freedom. The Corps has been pressed hard in Ukraine, but after consultations with Marshal Konev I have been authorized to dispatch reinforcements for Operation Bílá Hora. We now have reports that troops from the 3^rd Rifle Battalion of the 2^nd Infantry Brigade (Otakar) have made a successful clandestine landing in Scotland, and will march to reinforce your positions within days. The Battalion’s Forward Scout Teams have already reported to Headquarters from the outskirts of London. Time is now of the essence, we cannot delay. Report immediately to Marshal Volkov.

The Vltava is Red. The Knights of Blanik stir in the Mountain. The Bear has Awoken. Feed him the Long Grain.

General Svoboda

Case Waldgeist: Thoughts from the Commanders 3

9, Juni 1944
To: Field Marshall Rundstedt, OKW
FR: Oberstleutnant von Throckmorton, FHH
RE: After Action Report, Case Waldgeist

Dear Field Marshall,

It is with great joy that I send word to you this evening that your legions stand victorious on the field of battle.  Today, the FHH, 21st Pzr Div, and 504 Schwere Pzr Abtlng have pushed the Allied forces out of north west London. The cost to our enemy was great and in my estimation some 30 Allied tanks were destroyed and 800 soldiers were lost. Tomorrow we push deeper into the city in an attempt to drive a wedge between the two forces we faced today.

At 06:35 this morning I ordered the troops under my command to step off from their start line per your orders. As our scouts suggested, this sector of the line was at a meeting point between two separate allied divisions. And from here I knew we could gain strategic advantage by using this tactical "seam" as a weak point through which to press the attack home. The morning was fast going until we hit stiff resistance from elements of the Czechoslovakian Guards, of whom I've written in the past, and the American 4th Armored Division.

However, the disposition of my forces was well suited to the task at hand. The 4th Armored blocked the way to a critical junction, that, were we to take it would allow us to thrust deeply into London proper and dispose of the two armies in detail. Using the rubble of the city as cover and their own infantry as a road block we were, to be honest, surprised at how many tanks the Americans had. And yet, we were able to counter with great support from Oberstleutnant Carius, and the Konigstigers of the 503.

I am told that Carius himself shot the tank out from under General Creighton Abrams. While we did not find General Abrams body among the dead another commendation for Carius, I'm sure, will be forthcoming.

It is at this point I should stop and make note that the tactical command of the 21st Panzers seems to be... deficient. Long gone are the glory days of Africa. Their commander chose to throw his Panthers into an assault against infantry on both our left and right with out the support of our own troops while facing well supported, dug in and experienced soldiers. The losses were near absolute with only the commander's tank still operational at the end of the day. Our resources are to few and our experienced men to precious to be thrown away in pernicious assaults that are not tactically advisable.

The Czech's facing us on the right were another story all together. Their determination, tactical acumen and general esprit de corps is not to be underestimated. Unlike the American's, who were decimated, the Czech's used a screen of their own infantry to fight a tactical withdrawal.

I am proud of the work my troops did this day. They have done a great honor to the Heer but like so many acts of bravery in this war they will go unrecorded except in missives like these. Tomorrow, we begin our movement towards the Themes. I plan to move in the direction of Holborn in order to seize Waterloo and Blackfriar bridges and the rail crossings near by.

While the opportunity exists to swing some elements of my army to the right in order to capture Buckingham Palace, I believe that the tactical necessity to secure the river crossings is paramount to any propaganda victory we may see from seizure of the palace. I am concerned that some in Berlin may not agree.

I am, as always, at your command.

Salute,
Oberstleutnant Dietrich von Throckmorton

Case Waldgeist: Thoughts From the Commanders 2

+ + TOP SECRET + +

TO: Brig. General Ludvík Svodobda, Commander, I. Czechoslovak Army Corps

FROM: Captain Jiří Sláma, Commanding Officer, 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Tank Brigade; Acting Field Commander

STATUS REPORT: Operation Bílá Hora

1800:GMT:13.5.1944

General Svoboda:

I am afraid I write with more bad news. Despite praise you may be receiving from President Beneš and the Cabinet in exile, the truth is our forces have been battered repeatedly by concerted Axis advances, with counter attacks largely ineffectual. Our Brigade Commander, Staff Captain Vladimir Janko has withdrawn our units from the heavy fighting at Buckinghamshire, after heavy losses of men and equipment. Captain Janko himself remains in a field hospital with a head injury, and as second most senior Officer Field Command of field assets has fallen to me.

Our Brigade has been battered but remains operational for combat. 1^st Battalion (Masaryk) and 2^nd Battalion (Jan Hus) have lost a company each, but have enough T-34/85 tanks for assignment to Forward Detachments, and remain on duty in South West, where Allied units continue to hold firm thanks to Naval assistance. 4^th Battalion (Prokop) has sadly been lost in its entirety. My own 3^rd Battalion (Žižka) remains at full operational capacity after successful field repairs—despite lacking punch against heavy Nazi armour, our  T-34/85’s remain rugged and tenacious. We maintain a full Reconnaissance Company of BA-64 cars, and have managed to capture several Panzerkampfwagon Ausf. A (Panther) tanks, that have been successful in Decoy operations. Though badly battered, our infantry companies stand ready to escort our tanks against stubborn German combat units. The men have taken to calling the enemy “Krtki” (moles), as they seem to come from the ground with rounded helmets, covered in dirt and inflict heavy damage with their infantry anti-tank assets and advanced machine guns.

Case Waldgeist: Thoughts From the Commanders 1

(From Oberstleutnant Dietrich von Throckmorton to his wife Katje hours before Case Waldgeist unfolded in North East London)

My Dearest Katje,

I know the censors will black out most of what I write here, but putting it on paper and knowing that you may see even some of my scribble makes me feel close to you. I hope the boys are well and that you are not troubled too much by the bombers that I'm sure must be causing so many of our people pain. Let the Schiller's know I have found an excellent set of sterling silver, as they requested, and I will find a way to ship it home to you. They've been so kind in my absence. 

I wish my letter could come to you at a more peaceful time, but tomorrow I am ordered again to go into battle. My boys, who first came ashore in Devon and have fought across the width of this blasted country are being asked to do the impossible again; assault London itself. 

The boys are ready, we've been off the line for near two weeks resting up and refitting after the hell that was Buckinghamshire. But I fear those terrible battles were just the prelude to something more. My two years on the east front fighting the Bolsheviks have well prepared me for the battle ahead but I do fear for my men. We've lost so many on this English shore that I've only a few of the veterans to spread around into the platoons. 

Do you remember me writing about Gunter Freihoffen? He's the Oberfeldwebel who has been with me since Barbarossa. Sadly, he took a hit outside Aylesbury just days before we were pulled off the line. The doctors tell me he will be alright but do send word to his wife Ilse that he is alive. I'm afraid she won't have heard anything. His loss was a blow to the troops. He was our best baritone and Lili Marlene just doesn't sound the same without him. It seems all of us old soldiers are disappearing. From the original company there are only 17 enlisted men and 4 officers left of those who started with me in Poland. 

This morning I sit in an English farm house, not so different from your Father's really. Just a few miles down the road is London and there, well... there are Russians there. Actually, Czech's if I'm to believe my scouts, along with more of those American Sherman's than you can count. 

The air is warm, and I am reminded in the quiet before the battle a time before the war. This sector is as yet untouched by the devastation we are asked to bring upon our countries enemies and I know soon I must order my men to shatter that peace. I find no joy in this war. 

If I am to die today know only that I have done my duty. I will miss this life, our boys and joyous home you've made for us. But, I am an officer of the German Army and I will perform my duty today. Know also that I am lucky, Rundstedt has gifted the assault with three of the new Konigstiger's. Oh darling, you should see these beasts! Steel so think I'm sure no red shell could penetrate it. They are commanded by the 503'rd, tankers I've fought beside many times before and do trust me they know their work well. 

My men are ready and we have good allies at our side. My only hope, and the one that was dashed, those damned Jabos will have clear skies today. Let us hope their bomb's fall short of their target. 

Well my love, the sun is rising and I must go. If I do not see you in this life, I am assured I will see you in the next. 

All my love,
Detrich