17 October 1941 Part 2

17 October 1941 Preliminary order for reinforcing and fortifying the Channel Islands

Editorial note: Other copies or associated sheets are cited together; repeated text is counted once.

[Scan 1103.jpg] Army teleprinter network. GWNOL 05940, 17 October, 00:25. To Army High Command, Operations Branch. Distribution: Army High Command, Operations and Organization Branches; Commander-in-Chief Luftwaffe, Air Force Operations Staff Ia, Robinson; Commander-in-Chief Navy, Naval War Staff 1. Top secret command matter, commanders only, by officer only. Preliminary order. [Year 1941 established by order reference; routing stamp appears to have an inconsistent final digit.]

The Führer will shortly issue a directive on the permanent fortification of the Channel Islands. To increase their defensive strength rapidly, the following measures are to be implemented first:

I. Army. The 319th Infantry Division is to be brought, in personnel and equipment, to at least the defensive strength of a first-wave division and transferred in its entirety to the islands. In addition, the division is to receive extra weapons with crews, including: 1) approximately one battalion of heavily armoured tanks; 2) light artillery exceeding the establishment of a first-wave division; 3) the heaviest direct-fire and high-angle-fire batteries, partly in fixed emplacements and partly as mobile reserves; 4) assault guns; 5) 5 cm antitank guns and other heavy calibres suitable for antitank defence.

[Scan 1104.jpg] 6) Heavy infantry weapons and flamethrowers exceeding the establishment of a first-wave division. 7) Mines in sufficient quantity to render possible landing places impassable with the greatest density and depth.

II. Navy. 1) The heaviest coastal batteries (38 cm) are to be deployed on the islands and in the adjoining coastal area. 2) Patrol and harbour protection services, including the naval aircraft reporting service, are to be strengthened. 3) Sufficient sea transport capacity and appropriate escort are to be provided for transfers to the islands. 4) Defensive mine-laying is to be used as far as the special conditions of this sea area permit. 5) It must be ensured that light naval forces deployed in neighbouring sea areas can, if necessary, be quickly committed to attack enemy landing forces.

III. Luftwaffe. 1) The antiaircraft forces deployed are immediately to be brought to a strength of two mixed antiaircraft battalions each for Guernsey and Jersey and one mixed battalion for Alderney. 2) The employment of fighter and bomber forces when a landing operation is detected is to be assured and prepared in detail.

IV. General. 1) The islands are to be supplied with ammunition for a prolonged major engagement. 2) An adequate reserve of provisions is to be stockpiled. 3) All construction troops and labour organizations are to be equipped with weapons.

Armed Forces High Command, Armed Forces Operations Staff, National Defence Branch (I Operations), no. 441732/41, top secret, commanders only. Transmission closing: 00:40, GWNOL 05940, Captain Engelmann, GANNA.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1103.jpg, 1104.jpg, 1106.jpg, 1107.jpg.