Operation Clausewitz

Operation Clausewitz was part of the defence of Berlin by Nazi Germany during the final stage of the European conflict of World War II. It started on 20 April 1945 and called for a number of thus far unknown actions but which included the evacuation of all Wehrmacht and SS offices in Berlin^[1] and the destruction of official papers and documents. After this operation was initiated Berlin became a front line city. There is no available information today on the details of Operation Clausewitz.

There are a number of different theories as to what Operation Clausewitz was:

• Richard Wires wrote that it was a defence plan for the Sector Z (Zitadelle) of the city of Berlin, which included the Government quarter.^[2]
• Mark McGee calls it the Nazis' last stand against the Soviets.^[3]
• Erich Kuby refers to it simply as a password that alerted the defenders of Berlin about the incoming battle, while the password Kolberg meant that the battle had started.^[4]
• Earl Ziemke also calls it a password that meant to indicate that the Red Army was approaching Berlin.^[5]
• Everette Lemons defines it not as an operation but the stage in which the Nazi military considered Berlin to be a part of the front line.^[6]
• The film Downfall makes references to it, saying that after it was started "all ministries and departments" were leaving Berlin. The film states that once Hitler started Clausewitz Berlin is a "front city". Finally the film also suggests that the burning of official papers and documents was a direct result of the initiation of Operation Clausewitz.

See also

• Carl von Clausewitz

Notes