18 October 1943 Part 2

18 October 1943 Conditions for battalion transfers to the Eastern Front

Top secret. To 716th, 709th and 319th Divisions. II/583, II/726, I/739 and II/582 transfer east at their current establishment and strength, subject to the exceptions below. Do not reorganize fourth grenadier companies as heavy companies or convert the battalions to the new establishment.

Replace personnel unfit for eastern employment: those fit only for garrison duty; men with third-degree frostbite; men protected by the new regulations; NCOs and men born in 1905 or earlier, and those born in 1925; and members of the former Sixth Army. 716th Division provides replacements for II/726 and 709th for I/739. For II/582, 319th supplies half and 716th and 709th one quarter each; 319th immediately reports the remaining requirements. II/583’s exchanges have already been completed. Category III ethnic-list personnel may comprise no more than five percent of the total.

Move II/726 to Bayeux and I/739 to Valognes for loading east as soon as possible. Separate orders will govern II/582’s move to the mainland. Move II/583 promptly to the Saint-Malo area for onward transport. Separate orders cover winter clothing, equipment, replacement of vehicles unsuitable for the East, bicycles, extra horses and vehicles. Use of Motor Transport Company 84 vehicles assigned to I/739 will be regulated separately.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 18 October 1943 | Source PDF pages 1187–1188. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.