14 October 1943 Part 7

14 October 1943 Guernsey coastal artillery firing exercises

Editorial note: Extract from the report dated 17 October 1943 on the Commander-in-Chief’s tour of 13–16 October (Roll 1558 scan 1068, Operations No. 5213/43 secret). Placed here under the inspection date. Imported from the supplied English translation; its uncertain readings are retained.

Afternoon, 14 October 1943. Dachsbau, “Badger’s Sett”, resistance nest. Colonel von L’Estocq, commander of Grenadier Regiment 583, reported. The commander of III Battalion, Regiment 583, gave an overview of his sector’s defence, particularly Rocquaine Bay. The sector has permanent fortifications with strong strongpoints and resistance nests.

Concentrations of fire and artillery trajectory drill. Nine batteries participated: two naval, three heavy mortar and four Army coastal batteries. The artillery regimental commander first explained that eight concentrations of fire around the island had been prepared, together with barrages A and B, a barrage for Sark, and target points on Guernsey, Sark and Herm. Numerous illumination points, provided by antiaircraft artillery, have also been prepared around and on the island. Antiaircraft artillery will take part in the concentrations, six heavy batteries.

The concentrations were triggered by telephone and each represented by one round per barrel. Fire opened after five minutes. The first concentration was well grouped. Further concentrations on seven different target points, with antiaircraft artillery participating, were generally satisfactory with individual exceptions. The forward observers deployed were able to correct and shift fire rapidly.

The Commander-in-Chief concluded that a gratifying quantity of weapons was available for defending Rocquaine Bay and particularly praised the shooting of the antitank and 10.5 cm antilanding guns. For artillery, he directed that gunners be required to fire accurately at specific targets appearing suddenly.

T-312 Roll 1558, scans 1074–1075. Extract from T-312_Roll_1558_Master_English_Translation.docx.