13 June 1941 Part 2

13 June 1941 Army High Command order for immediate reinforcement and permanent fortification of the islands

[Scan 1187.jpg] Army High Command, Army General Staff, Operations Branch IIa no. 1101/41, top secret. Headquarters, 13 June 1941. Commanders only; convey only by officer. Seventh of seven copies. Reference: Commander-in-Chief West, Ia no. 250/41, top secret, of 3 June 1941. Subject: protection of the Channel Islands. To Commander-in-Chief West.

1) After presentation of the above report, the Führer demands reinforcement of the Channel Islands by: a) increasing the garrisons of Guernsey and Jersey to at least one reinforced infantry regiment each; b) increasing tank forces on both islands; c) artillery reinforcement with heavy and the heaviest batteries; d) protection against bombardment of the islands by heavy naval artillery through construction of field fortifications; e) later construction on the islands in permanent form. 2) Since an attack on the islands in summer 1941 must be reckoned with, Commander-in-Chief West is to carry out requirements 1a–d immediately.

[Scan 1188.jpg] 3) The infantry and tank forces required are to be drawn from the forces ultimately available to Commander-in-Chief West. For artillery reinforcement the following will be delivered to Granville. Alderney: one battery of 15 cm guns 18, range 24.8 kilometres. Guernsey: two batteries of French 22 cm guns, range 22 kilometres; two batteries of 15 cm guns 18, range 24.8 kilometres; three batteries of 21 cm mortars 18, range 16.7 kilometres. Jersey: one battery of French 22 cm guns, range 22 kilometres; three batteries of 21 cm mortars 18, range 16.7 kilometres.

Commander-in-Chief West is free to alter distribution, reporting changes to Army High Command. One regimental headquarters is to be withdrawn from Artillery Commander 141’s area and charged with preparing and executing employment on the islands. With the denser garrisons, particular importance must be attached to active and passive air protection. Supply is to be ensured by ample stocks. 4) Reconnaissance and preparations for the definitive permanent construction on the islands are to begin immediately.

[Scan 1189.jpg] Assignment of probably two fortress engineer staffs by Army High Command can be expected. Army High Command is examining the extent to which Organisation Todt can participate. Army construction troops are unavailable.

5) Regarding Commander-in-Chief West’s requests in section VIII of the reference: item 1, the formation order for the Higher Signals Commander at the proposed strength has meanwhile been issued; item 2, Machine-Gun Battalion 16 has been placed on an authorized establishment as a permanently assigned island battalion; item 3, delivery of light and heavy mortars has been initiated with the Chief of Army Armaments and Commander of the Replacement Army; item 4, Commander-in-Chief West is to arrange reinforcement of the captured-gun batteries. A corresponding establishment increase is envisaged, and Organization Branch is preparing the necessary order; item 5, delivery of Army antiaircraft artillery is currently impossible; item 6, allocation of a boat from Army equipment is impossible.

6) Requests to the Navy and Luftwaffe are to be addressed directly to Naval Group Commander West and Air Fleet 3. Requests they cannot meet are to be submitted to Army High Command.

[Scan 1190.jpg] 7) A detailed report on progress in reinforcing the Channel Islands and the plans for this purpose is to reach Army High Command by 19 June. Subsequently, detailed reinforcement reports are to accompany the evening reports on Tuesdays and Fridays [handwritten amendment to “daily”]. Signed Halder [signature reading uncertain]. Distribution: Commander-in-Chief West, first copy; Organization Branch, second; Quartermaster-General, third; General of Artillery, fourth; General of Engineers and Fortresses, fifth; Operations Branch V, sixth; Operations Branch IIa, seventh.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1187.jpg, 1188.jpg, 1189.jpg, 1190.jpg.