Ch. 10 Playing for Time

After failing to convince Kesselring and Hitler of making a deal with the Allies, Wolff proceeded to talk with Vietinghoff. Vietinghoff still felt that as long as the Germans were resisting and Hitler was in power no capitulation was possible. On March 26, Wolff did not show for a meeting with Lemnitzer and Airey, but Zimmer informed them that he was working on a plan and would soon be coming. The following day Zimmer informed the Allies that Wolff and his confidants were risking their lives trying to negotiate. On March 31, Zimmer met Dulles for the first face-to-face talk in twelve days. This meeting again mounted to nothing as they continued to stall and play for time. The Dulles-Zimmer talks were characterized by miscommunication and by trivial messages sent back and forth. Again on April 2, expecting to meet with Wolff in Ascona, it was instead Parrilli who awaited Dulles, Lemnitzer, and Airey. After no offer was made, the Allies told Parrilli to relay the message that this was the last opportunity for action. It was clear that Wolff was playing for time while trying to ingratiate himself with the Western Allies. Thus, the Allies placed the responsibility on him to act.

Source:

Smith, Bradley F. & Agarossi, Elena. Operation Sunrise: The Secret Surrender. New York: Basic Books, 1979.