19 October 1941 Part 3

19 October 1941 Notes on reconnaissance for permanent construction on the Channel Islands

[Scan 1126.jpg] Operations Branch IIa, 19 October 1941. Note on Commander-in-Chief West’s reconnaissance report: Channel Islands, permanent construction.

Guernsey is most endangered by attacks from the sea. Alderney is particularly endangered by airborne landing. Increase the ration reserve to sixty days. Civilian population: 65,000 on all islands. One light and one heavy artillery battalion per island are desired as mobile artillery. After the war, stock supplies for six months. The 83rd Infantry Division demands that Alderney be placed under the island commander. [Compressed wording retained; the intended command relationship is not further explained.]

Guernsey is more endangered than Jersey. Possession of Guernsey substantially facilitates an attack on Jersey. Allocate forces accordingly!

[Scan 1127.jpg] One mixed telephone company per island is required. On Guernsey, Vazon Bay and the Torteval peninsula are particularly endangered. Navy: one 38 cm battery per island.

Luftwaffe: Alderney, emergency landing ground. Guernsey and Jersey, airfields for fighters and reconnaissance aircraft. Guernsey/Jersey: accommodation for 2,000 men each; thirty-six Ju 88 aircraft (about fifty men per aircraft). Construction material required for the Luftwaffe on Guernsey and Jersey: about six million tonnes. Total for the Luftwaffe: fifteen million tonnes; construction period, three years. [These quantities are printed as stated in the original.]

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1126.jpg, 1127.jpg.