Chapter 63:
November 19, 1939
Kassel, 9th Military District, Central Germany, and Frankfurt, the capital of the New Government The fourth day since the operation began, disguised as a departure ceremony.
The speech we poured our hearts and souls into writing seemed to have a greater effect than initially expected.
The Abwehr reported that the Wehrmacht had all but lost its will to fight.
It was a relief, as a Wehrmacht with low morale would surrender that much more easily.
Although I had practically started this civil war myself and was resolved to accept the sacrifices, it was, of course, better to have as few unnecessary sacrifices as possible.
I especially hoped for the surrender of the personnel who were a burden on my mind—Model, Richthofen, Klemens, and Michael—but there was no such news yet.
The offensive planned by Manstein was proceeding very smoothly. At least, according to Manstein, the enemy seemed not to have noticed our intention.
Despite it being his first time operating an armored unit, General Hammerstein succeeded in luring out the enemy's main armored unit with few losses, and General Lutz was making a rapid advance past Dresden.