28 June 1941 Part 2

28 June 1941 Additional tractors, mortars and fixed-position weapons for the islands

[Scan 1177.jpg] Army High Command, Army General Staff, Operations Branch IIa no. 37521/41, top secret, second communication. Headquarters, 28 June 1941. Third of three copies. Reference: Army Group A (D), Ia no. 1003/41, top secret, of 19 June 1941. Subject: reinforcement of the Channel Islands. To Commander-in-Chief West.

In response to paragraph 7 of the above telegram: 1) Reinforcement of Channel Islands antiaircraft protection has been requested from the Luftwaffe Commander-in-Chief through Armed Forces High Command. 2) Beyond Army High Command/Organization Branch I no. 1982/41, top secret, of 16 June 1941, the Chief of Army Armaments and Commander of the Replacement Army will supply one tractor with driver to Alderney, two to Guernsey and three to Jersey. Further allocation is currently impossible. However, as soon as suitable tractors return from French repair facilities, Army High Command will provide for an increase, especially for Jersey, probably at the end of July. 3) The Chief of Army Armaments and Commander of the Replacement Army will bring the 319th Division up to its full complement of light and heavy mortars.

[Scan 1178.jpg] In addition, as soon as the equipment situation permits, fixed-position weapons will be supplied to the three islands as follows: Alderney, two light infantry guns and two 3.7 cm antitank guns; Guernsey and Jersey, each six light infantry guns and six 3.7 cm antitank guns. By order [signature unclear]. Distribution: Commander-in-Chief West, first copy; after dispatch Army High Command/Organization Branch, second; Operations Branch IIa, third. Sent 28 June 1941.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1177.jpg, 1178.jpg.