Rommel's Army Group B Headquarters, 1944

Here is a little forgotten historical tidbit in the onset to the Battle of Normandy . It was where Rommel's Army Group B headquarters were located. beautiful Chateau La Roche Guyon.

It was not just Rommel's headquarters but also a place where some of the conspirators involved July 20 plot including General Speidel (Rommel's chief of staff), General Stulpnagel and Field Marshal Von kluge discussed about the removel of Hitler's power. Many debate on Rommel's involvment in these discussions.

La Roche Guyon is located 40 miles north of Paris, alonside the Seine River. Built in the 12th century , the chateau belongs to the Rochefoucauld Family. When Rommel's headquarters were located to the Chateau, Rommel refused to have the family relocate, so the Duke and his family occupied the upper levels of the chateau while Rommel and his staff occupied the lower levels.


Chateau La Roche Guyon.


he had a U shaped cave like structure built underground next to the building for protection in case of bombings. it also provided shelter, communication and storage for his troops.





Here is an excellent website with pictures of Rommel at the Chateau, unfortunately it is in only in French but it's easily translatable with the help of translating tool google translator.

google translator...

http://translate.google.com/?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&text=&file=&sl=fr&tl=en#fr|en|

just copy and paste this address below

http://atlantikwall.superforum.fr/autres-ouvrages-allemands-en-france-f40/le-chateau-de-rommel-t4261.htm

and there you go.. in english.

There are excellent pictures of Rommel delegating with Rundstedt and others in the chateau as well as his private sleeping quarters known as the chamber of the Duchess Zinaida.

This video which I found in the net shows the historical building in greater detail.. but again it's in french ,but the video itself is very interesting. Maybe someone who understands french can give us a translation of the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXDfXX2BLp0



All I got to say is Rommel must have felt like a king at his headquarters. A much nicer alternative to the African desert. Unfortunately for Rommel, his Roche Guyon days came to an end on July 17 1944 when he was injured when his car was strafed by a spitfire, which ultimately ended his career..

A little tiny piece of french history that was part of one of the biggest turning points in the 20th century.


I hope you enjoy it folks!

Suzie.

 

good post suzie,he certainly appears to have been in luxury..ray..

 

thanks Ray!

 

if you want to edit it? click on go advanced, you should be able to alter title suzie

 

Here's some interesting pics..




Grand salon Where Rommel's meetings took place. 1944 and now.


Rommel's private quarters - the chamber of the Duchess Zinaida




More images of the underground shelters used by Army Group B troops at Roche Guyon.


finally, a nice ariel view of the chateau along the seine river.


Army Group B staff stationed at the palace must have had quite a magnificant view of the area.
A ltitle piece of paradise just hours away from the beaches of Normandy.

 

One last tibit I like to mention - Roche Guyon became to be known as the busiest village in occupied france with 1,500 German soldiers to 500 inhabitants.

Under Rommel's command the village council (or town hall) had no draped nazi flags and the villegers were not imposed under any curfews. Rommel would often take strolls through the village with little or no protection at all.