24 October 1941 Part 2

24 October 1941 Extract of Hitler’s directive on fortifying and defending the Channel Islands

Date note: Cover 24 October 1941; enclosed directive 20 October 1941.

[Scan 1086.jpg] Secret command matter. Army High Command/Army General Staff/Operations Branch (IIa/V), no. 1598/41. Headquarters, 24 October 1941. Chiefs only; officer delivery only. Four copies; copy 4. To Commander-in-Chief West. The attached extract from the Führer’s directive on permanent construction of the Channel Islands is forwarded. Army High Command’s orders on permanent construction will follow. By order: [signature unclear]. One enclosure. Distribution: Commander-in-Chief West (copy 1); after dispatch General of Engineers and Fortifications attached to Commander-in-Chief Army (copy 2); Operations Branch (V) (copy 3); Operations Branch (IIa) (copy 4).

[Scan 1087.jpg] Secret command matter. Enclosure to no. 1598/41 of 24 October 1941. Extracted copy. The Führer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Armed Forces High Command/Operations Staff/Branch L (IOp), no. 441760/41 secret chiefs’ matter. Führer headquarters, 20 October 1941. Chiefs only; officer delivery only. Ten copies; copy 1. Fortification and defence of the English Channel Islands.

1. British operations on a large scale against the Western territory occupied by us remain unlikely. However, under pressure from the situation in the East, and for political and propaganda reasons, individual British operations must be expected at any time, in particular an attempt to regain possession of their Channel Islands, which are important for our convoy traffic.

2. Defensive measures on the Channel Islands must ensure that a British attack collapses before landing, whether mounted by sea, by airborne landing, or simultaneously by both methods. The possibility that the enemy will exploit poor visibility for a surprise landing must be taken into account. Immediate measures to strengthen defensive power have already been ordered. [Scan 1088.jpg] All armed-forces elements employed on the islands, except flying units, are subordinate to the island-group commandant to be provided by the Army. 3–5. [Omitted in the source extract.] Signed: Adolf Hitler. Distribution: [omitted]. Certified correct extract: [signature unclear].

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1086.jpg, 1087.jpg, 1088.jpg.