15 October 1941 Part 4

15 October 1941 Internal note on permanent construction and defence against airborne landings

[Scan 1128.jpg] Operations Branch IIa, 15 October 1941. Note for the return endorsement to the General of Engineers and Fortresses at Army High Command concerning construction on the Channel Islands.

A. Background. I. Submission to the General of Engineers and Fortresses of the reconnaissance report of the Inspector of National Fortifications attached to Commander-in-Chief West on permanent construction on the islands. Purpose: a) general picture (incomplete); b) requests concerning the number of weapons, accommodation requirements (troops, ammunition), and armour components. II. The General of Engineers and Fortresses forwarded item I to Operations Branch for information. III. Opinion of Group V: refer to the Army Commander-in-Chief’s order; commencement. Stronger defence against airborne landing must be required. Construct strongpoints and position artillery near airfields to prevent airborne landings on and beside the airfields and to engage an enemy attacking the airfields.

[Scan 1129.jpg] Determine and request weapon requirements on the spot! B. Return endorsement: refer to the Armed Forces High Command order; communicate strengths. Handwritten, 16 October: presentation to the Chief; the Chief points out that presentation to the Chief of the General Staff is to be made by the General of Engineers. [Handwritten wording and initials partly uncertain.]

Original source image 1129.jpg — T-78 Roll 317. Internal note on permanent construction and defence against airborne landings.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1128.jpg, 1129.jpg.