The Leader And Supreme Commander Of The Armed Forces.

The Leader's Headquarters.   8th June, 1940.   5 copies

Directive No. 14
                1. The enemy is offering stiff resistance on our right flank and in the centre of 6th Army.

                2. Therefore, according to the proposal of Commander In Chief Army, I approve the orders given this morning by Army Group B, namely:

                (a) Merely to hold down the enemy on the 6th Army front.

                (b) To transfer XIV Corps to the left flank Of 4th Army.

                (c) To strike a crushing blow at the strong enemy forces on the 6th Army front by increasing the pressure exerted by the bulk of 4th Army southeastwards and by the left flank of 6th Army southwestwards.

                3. I further order:

                (a) The basic intention, as laid down in Directive No. 13, namely: to destroy enemy forces in the Château-Thierry-Metz-Belfort triangle, and to bring about the collapse of the Maginot Line, remains valid.

                However, since Phase I of the operation is not yet ended and extremely strong resistance is being offered north of Paris, stronger forces must be employed on the lower Seine and against Paris than had originally been contemplated.

                (b) Army Group A will move to the attack on 9th June south-southwestwards as ordered in Directive No. 13.

                (c) 9th Army will thrust southwards towards the Marne. It will be reinforced as soon as possible by XVI Army Corps (including attached SS units and the SS Death's Head Division). Strong reserve forces must back up the juncture of the two Army Groups.

                (d) I reserve to myself the decision as to the direction of any further thrust by 9th Army, or whether it is to be left with Army Group B or put under command of Army Group A.

                4. The task of the Air Force, in addition to what has been laid down in Directive No. 13, is as follows:

                (a) To support the concentric attack on the flanks of the main enemy forces facing Army Group B.

                (b) To keep under observation and under strong fighter cover the coast on the right flank of Army Group B and the area southwest of the Bresle sector.

                (c) To help the advance of Army Group A at the focal point.

Adolf Hitler.