24 July 1943 Part 2

24 July 1943 Combat assessment 319th Infantry Division Channel Islands

Static division, thirteenth wave. A well-trained, cohesive division with good fighting spirit. Average ages: regimental and battalion commanders 47; company commanders 34; company officers 28; NCOs and men 30. Thirteen and a half per cent have eastern-front experience.

Its continuous deployment on the islands has fully trained it for defence but not for mobile warfare. Collective training has been confined to battalion level. Armament matches the wartime organisation, with a shortfall of three 7.5-cm antitank guns. It also has numerous static weapons.

The division is immobile. Sixty field kitchens are missing from establishment. Vehicle numbers are adapted to Channel Islands conditions: 860 motor vehicles comprise 82 German and foreign makes and 217 types. Overall assessment: fully suitable for major combat in coastal defence.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 24 July 1943 | Source PDF pages 723. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.