1 November 1944 Part 24

1 November 1944 Civilian food stocks and supply directive

Channel Islands and Gironde South: no change.

Special matters. Channel Islands supply: Commander-in-Chief West states there is no objection to obtaining food from local stocks by purchase or requisition without particular hardship to the population. According to information received this wording originates with Armed Forces High Command. It in no way meets Commander, Channel Islands’ wishes: he stated that bridging the gap to the next harvest and thus holding out until the end of 1945 is assured only if all remaining bread grain, potatoes and livestock can be confiscated by 15 November at the latest. Armed Forces High Command’s decision may be connected with political considerations.

Before the corresponding instruction is sent, a further report from Commander, Channel Islands, states that all local produce which would have lasted beyond January has meanwhile been confiscated for the troops so that urgently needed winter grain sowing can take place. He has thus exceeded the measures authorised by Armed Forces High Command. To reach the next harvest, summer grain must also be sown; consequently all remaining civilian stocks of bread grain, potatoes and livestock must be seized by 15 November at the latest, as already requested.

I have therefore forwarded his report and asked Commander-in-Chief West to obtain higher authority for unrestricted access to all remaining civilian stocks by 15 November. Only thus can the garrison’s endurance be extended another five months.

The following radio message is sent to Commander, Channel Islands: “1. The British Government has so far refused to undertake supply of the civilian population. [Continued.]”

“2. The aim must be to reach the next harvest through the strictest food management for troops and population, thereby ensuring the island can hold out at least until the end of 1945. 3. There is no objection to obtaining food from local stocks by purchase or requisition without particular hardship to the population. 4. Fixing the lowest ration scales for civilians and supervising compliance most strictly is not to be regarded as particular hardship. 5. The wording of paragraph 3 corresponds to Armed Forces High Command’s directive. Full rights of recourse to bread grain, potatoes and livestock will again be requested from higher authority.”

T-1022 Roll 4008; PG 37614 | Frame 0457; original pages 33, 34; PG 37614 | Frame 0458; original pages 35, 36. Extract from T1022_R4008_English_Translation.docx.