German Admiral Saalwächter appointed as Gruppen Befehlshaber West according to a report of the American Naval Attaché at Berlin, Germany Nr. R562 dated 15 September 1939

Diary note dated Saturday 9 September 1939. An item reported that admiral Saalwachter (1) recently assigned as Gruppen Befehlshaber West. Saalwachter was responsible for all naval and coast defence operations in the North Sea comparable to the duties of admiral Albrecht Gruppen Befelhlshaber Ost.(2) The Commander in Chief of the Fleet could be placed under his command for certain tasks. Admiral Raeder which was Chief of Naval Operations was to decide.

Notes

1. Alfred Saalwächter (10 January 1883 Neusalz an der Oder, German Empire-6 December 1945 Moscow, Soviet Union), served in the navy 1901-1942 ending as generaladmiral, replaced as Gruppen Befehlshaber West on 20 September 1942 and resigned from active service on 30 November 1942.

2. Conrad Albrecht (7 October 1880 Bremen, Germany-18 August 1969 Hamburg, Germany), served in the navy between 1899-1939 ending as general admiral, retired on 31 December 1939.

3. Erich Johann Albert Raeder (24 April 1876 Wandsbek, Germany 6 November 1960 Kiel, Germany), head of the German Naval Command 1 October 1928-1 June 1935 and chief of the German Navy High Command 1 June 1935-30 January 1943

Source

National Archives. FDR Presidential Library&Museum Roosevelt PSFC000175. War diary Naval Attaché Berlin, volume 1 (1 September 1939-26 May 1940)