Hitler’s predictions

The immediate consequences of this complete reversal of the situation were perfectly clear to Hitler. One only need refer to the arguments propounded on November 3, 1943 in support of measures prescribed by his Directive No. 51, as regards the conduct of the war; in his own words:

"The hard and costly struggle against Bolshevism during the last two-and-a-half years, which has involved the bulk of our military strength in the East, has demanded extreme exertions. The greatness of the danger and the general situation demanded it. But the situation has since changed. The danger in the East still remains, but a greater danger now appears in the West: an Anglo-Saxon landing! In the East, the vast extent of the territory makes it possible for us to lose ground, even on a large scale, without a fatal blow being dealt to the nervous system of Germany.

'Tt is very different in the West! Should the enemy succeed in breaching our defences on a wide front here, the immediate consequences would be unpredictable. Everything indicates that the enemy will launch an offensive against the Western front of Europe, at the latest in the spring, perhaps even earlier.

'T can therefore no longer take responsibility for further weakening the West, in favour of other theatres of war. I have therefore decided to reinforce its defences, particularly those places from which the long-range bombardment of England will begin. For it is here that the enemy must and will attack, and it is here-unless all indications are misleading-that the decisive battle against the landing forces will be fought.”

On December 20 following. Hitler returned to the question in the presence of his generals. It appears from the shorthand account of his statement that, while he was convinced that the invasion would take place, he was less than convinced that the British would have their hearts in it:

'Tt stands to reason that the English have less confidence in this enterprise than has Eisenhower. Eisenhower has effected one [sic] successful invasion, but this was solely due to the work of traitors. Here with our soldiers he will find none to help him. Here, we mean business, make no mistake! It is a totally different

Matter to invade North Africa and be greeted by Monsieur Giraud or be confronted by the Italians who for the most part stay in their holes without firing a single shot, and to set foot in the West in the face of unrelenting fire. And so long as a battery is capable of firing, it will continue firing. That is a certainty.”