German Booklet- 1943

This German booklet, published in April 1943, is a well-documented study by German intelligence on the Allies’ capabilities to launch a large-scale amphibious operation. Totaling 44 pages, it covers airborne troops, air and naval forces, various types of landing craft, and the vehicles used by the Allies.

This study was conducted three years into the war, drawing in particular on the Allied landing in North Africa in November 1942. All of these photographs, taken from newspapers, were collected by German intelligence services, enabling the compilation of the information necessary for this work. The Germans were familiar with the “typical” pattern of a landing: the amphibious operation would be preceded by an airborne operation.

This type of document illustrates just how well each belligerent understood the strategies and equipment used by their enemies. Although often downplayed, German preparations for a landing were nonetheless the subject of careful study. It is worth noting that in 1944, the German General Staff anticipated a D-Day landing and positioned troops along the Atlantic Wall; only the location and date remained uncertain.

This valuable document, soon to be displayed, will help our visitors understand the military strategies implemented during World War II.

Check out the entire booklet here.