12 July 1940 Part 2

12 July 1940 Protection of the Channel Islands after occupation

Commanding Admiral in France. Paris, 12 July 1940. Registry No. G 1159 AII. Secret!

To Naval High Command, Berlin. For information: Naval Commander Northern France.

Subject: occupation of the English Channel Islands, 30 June–2 July 1940.

The Naval Commander Northern France’s report on the occupation is enclosed in duplicate. [Marginal annotation: not enclosed.]

Protection of the islands is being taken over by Army troops, at present Sixth Army Headquarters. The Luftwaffe is transferring one heavy anti-aircraft battery to Guernsey.

Sixth Army Headquarters has orally promised to provide the islands’ further artillery coast defence. Although heavy infantry weapons are not suitable for engaging naval targets, they can nevertheless protect harbour entrances and landing places.

Particularly since an English offensive against the islands is not to be expected, each of the principal islands is adequately secured against the sea as well by six 2 cm guns, six 3.7 cm guns and heavy infantry weapons, with Guernsey additionally protected by a heavy anti-aircraft battery.

Occupation of Alderney by harbour surveillance personnel with allocated heavy machine guns appears sufficient.

[Signature.] Receipt stamp: Naval Commander Northern France, 17 July 1940, secret registry No. 1284. [Routing to Green Arrows file and initials.]

T-1022 Roll 2439, T1022_R2439_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 38019 | Frame 00791, original sheet 45