23 October 1942 Part 7

23 October 1942 Detailed orders for static conversion and island supply staffs

Date note: The existing master records the corps implementation on 28 October and already embeds the organisation chart. This entry adds the earlier army order, supply arrangements and vehicle entitlements; it does not duplicate the chart.

Seventh Army’s order of 23 October requires conversion of 319th Division into a static coastal-defence division by 1 December. Infantry regiments, except their infantry-gun platoons, and the artillery regiment adopt static establishments. Mixed Signals Company 319 becomes a static signals battalion. Island supply staffs are to be formed from Divisional Supply Commander 319’s headquarters; implementation proposals are due on 18 November.

Horse-drawn Columns 4, 5 and 6/319 are to leave: 4/319 becomes 2/708, 5/319 becomes 2/709 and 6/319 becomes 2/719. Approximately 2,000 personnel released by the conversion of 319th Division are available for reorganisations and new formations. This does not establish that 2,000 men left the islands.

Annex 3 provides an additional bicycle platoon in each 319th Division regimental headquarters company. The listed static rifle-company establishment omits the heavy-machine-gun section and flamethrower team.

Annex 4 to Seventh Army Ia No. 4650/42, secret command matter, 23 October 1942.

Authorised motor vehicles for static supply units of the 319th Infantry Division.

1. Supply company: one light car, one light truck, two medium trucks, one medium motorcycle and one heavy motorcycle.

2. Bakery company: one light car, one light truck and four medium trucks.

3. Butcher company: one light car, one light truck and three medium trucks.

German Seventh Army records, T-312 Roll 1548. T312 Roll 1548 English translation REVIEWED EDITION 4.docx. Local source scans: 0704.jpg, 0705.jpg, 0706.jpg, 0710.jpg, 0711.jpg.