15 March 1942 Part 3

15 March 1942 Army High Command decisions on Channel Islands artillery

[Scan 1064.jpg] Secret command matter. Army High Command/Army General Staff/Organisation Branch (III), no. 966/42. Headquarters, 15 March 1942. Eight copies; copy 4. Subject: Artillery for Channel Islands. Reference: Commander-in-Chief West Ia/Staff Artillery no. 63/42 of 15 February 1942. To Commander-in-Chief West (copy 1); for information Naval High Command/Naval War Staff (copy 2), Fifteenth Army Command (copy 3). Received 17 March 1942, no. 20085/42 [stamp partly indistinct].

While approving the projects in principle, Army High Command takes the following position on the overall demand for fixed and mobile artillery on the Channel Islands. 1. Regarding enclosure 1, I–III: Commander-in-Chief West has already ordered transfer of Army Coastal Battery 472 from Guernsey to Alderney. Naval High Command has promised replacement of Army Coastal Battery 461 by a naval coastal battery and delivery of a naval-artillery battalion staff for 1942; the precise time is not yet fixed. After replacement by the naval coastal battery, Army Coastal Battery 461 will be converted into a motorised light field-howitzer battery with captured equipment and a restricted motor-vehicle establishment. Army High Command/Army General Staff will issue the order.

2. Regarding enclosure 2, II: Naval High Command intends to emplace a 15 cm naval coastal battery in 1942. Because of Army Coastal Battery 472’s transfer to Alderney, this will not yet release any Army battery. [Scan 1065.jpg] Regarding IV: in view of equipment and transport conditions, rearming and giving restricted mobility to Army Coastal Batteries 462,463, 464,465, 466 must be forgone this year. Their present heavy-mortar equipment is also considered more effective than heavy field howitzers. Regarding V: rearming Army Coastal Battery 353 with captured 10.5 cm guns suitable as a harbour-blocking battery will be ordered separately by Chief of Army Armament and Commander of Replacement Army.

Regarding VI: exchange of III and IV Battalions/Artillery Regiment 319 for motorised light field-howitzer battalions is impossible for the foreseeable future. As an interim solution the battalions are to form provisional towing detachments from their own personnel. Five towing vehicles, seven lorries, six cars and six motorcycles will be allocated separately by Chief of Army Armament and Commander of Replacement Army. A meteorological sounding platoon will be supplied. Provision of an assault-gun battery is waived for the present.

3. Regarding enclosure 3, I–III: Naval High Command has promised one very heavy and one medium battery and a naval-artillery battalion staff for 1942; exact timing is not fixed. Replacement of two Army coastal batteries (470 and 356) by two medium naval coastal batteries in 1943. Regarding IV: rearming and restricted motorisation are presently impossible for the reasons stated under enclosure 2, IV. Nor will headquarters Artillery Regiment 319 be reorganised. Regarding V: rearming Army Coastal Battery 355 with captured 10.5 cm guns suitable as a harbour-blocking battery will be ordered separately by Chief of Army Armament and Commander of Replacement Army.

[Scan 1066.jpg] Regarding VI: as under enclosure 2, VI, the remaining I and II Battalions/Artillery Regiment 319 are to form towing detachments from their own personnel. Motor vehicles in the strength stated above will be allocated separately by Chief of Army Armament and Commander of Replacement Army. Provision of an assault-gun battery is waived for the present. Signed: Halder. Certified: [signature unclear], Lieutenant-Colonel (GS). After dispatch: Operations Branch (copy 4); General of Artillery attached to Commander-in-Chief Army (copy 5), who is to remain in direct contact over fulfilment of the undertakings; General of Engineers and Fortifications attached to Commander-in-Chief Army (copy 6); Organisation Branch war diary (copy 7); draft (copy 8).

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1064.jpg, 1065.jpg, 1066.jpg.