1 March 1944 Part 4

Undated review of 1–15 March 1944 diary — cement allocation

Editorial placement: attached by the reviewed period or earliest possible date; the review itself is undated.

Fortress Engineer Commander XIX cannot make even the smallest cement allocation outside the casemated gun-position programme, since the allocation for that programme itself is not yet secured.

The Naval Construction Office at Cherbourg cannot supply cement. For the large Cherbourg–St Malo area and adjoining Channel coast, the General Engineer has promised an allocation for the most urgent repairs only when the casemated gun-position programme has been carried out: just 500 cubic metres of concrete, stated as equivalent to twenty tonnes of cement [figures retained as printed]. Organisation Todt is responsible for replenishment. Supplies are inadequate owing to the continuing cement shortage and transport difficulties.

Roll 2422, scan 0805. Secret; signed Rieve. No issue date visible. Review refers to original page 23.