13 July 1944 Part 2

13 July 1944 Part 2 Defence orders retain the existing instructions for the islands

With the transfer of the 5th Parachute Division and the 275th Infantry Division to Normandy, it is no longer possible to speak of defending Brittany’s coastal front. The Army has therefore redefined the task of XXV and LXXIV Army Corps: the fortresses are to be defended, the stretches of coast between the fortresses watched, and operations against resistance bands and insurgents continued in order to secure lines of communication, particularly those to the fortresses.

Despite the exceptionally wide sectors, amounting to 780 kilometres for the 343rd Infantry Division and 300 kilometres for the 265th Infantry Division, the combat task of defence remains unchanged for troops employed in coastal protection outside the fortresses. The change in garrison dispositions in favour of the fortresses and other duties means that the higher command must arrange surveillance of the coastal strips between the fortresses.

For the individual soldier and the lower commanders, the basic order remains: fight to the last man and the last round. Only the higher command may order a change in the method of fighting, taking account of the present thin coastal garrisons and the overriding struggle for the fortresses.

XXV Army Corps therefore proposes a new version of its order for the conduct of fighting. Army Headquarters approves it. Its main points are as follows:

1. Troops employed in coastal defence outside the fortresses must, through uninterrupted observation and active patrols by day and night, use every available means to repel any landing of enemy forces. Resistance nests and strongpoints must hold unconditionally, even against superior enemy attacks.

2. If the overall battle situation requires it, the corps headquarters may order a different method of fighting in individual coastal sectors when forces must be withdrawn to reinforce the fortresses.

3. The first objective of operations within the corps area is the defence of the fortresses to the utmost. For this purpose, forces from unattacked coastal sectors or from the rear corps area are to be moved into the fortress; garrisons fighting their way back towards the fortress from coastal sectors attacked by the enemy are to be incorporated into the fortress defence; coastal garrisons cut off by the enemy are to be ordered to break through towards the fortress; and forces are to be employed against the rear, flanks or communications of enemy groups attacking the fortresses.

4. When sectors of coastal defence are abandoned, all defensive installations must be rendered unusable, and the destruction of permanently installed weapons and all equipment that the troops cannot take with them must be ensured.

5. The existing orders remain in force for the defence of the islands.

German Seventh Army Headquarters (AOK 7), NARA T-312 Roll 1569. Roll 1569 Jersey and Channel Islands English translations.docx, reference 26. T312-1569.pdf, PDF pages 162, 163. PDF pages count from the first page of the supplied file.