3 April 1941

3 April 1941 Unified command of coastal defensive operations in the West

Editorial note: Selected clauses relevant to Channel Islands command and reporting; mainland-only provisions are omitted.

[Scan 0288.jpg] Top secret command matter. Commanders only; by officer only. Commander-in-Chief West (Army Group Headquarters A), Ia No. 146/41 top secret, commanders only. 3 April 1941. 20 copies; copy 8. [Receipt: Operations BranchIIa, 6 April 1941, No. 636/41.] References: OKW/WFSt/Branch L (I Operations) No. 44166/41 top secret, commanders only, of 1 March 1941 and OKH/Army General Staff/Operations Branch (IIa) No. 325/41 top secret of 9 March 1941(issued only to Army Group). Subject: Unified command in defensive operations in the western coastal area.

[Scan 0289.jpg] Page 2.3. I therefore order: In every case of an enemy landing operation against the Belgian or French coast or the Channel Islands, the naval troops and installations employed in coastal protection pass under the command of the responsible Army Headquarters or land commander. Locally available anti-aircraft artillery suitable for defence may, insofar as the air situation permits, be employed temporarily under directives of the local Army authorities. As soon as the situation permits, these authorities order its return to its proper duties. Naval Group Command West and Air Fleet Headquarters 3 are requested to instruct their subordinate authorities accordingly.

4. However, when subordination to the Army takes effect, naval troops and installations which, in the event of enemy attack, have duties within naval warfare remain subordinate to Naval Group Command West. The land commanders must be informed of these troops, installations and duties!

(h) Ensure every form of intelligence and order transmission, communications between the three Armed Forces branches, and the fastest reporting channels to superior headquarters. (i) Precise designations are to be established for bringing forward reserves from the rear, including reserves unfamiliar with the locality. (k) Army Headquarters check proper execution of all preparatory work and report initial results and intentions by 1 May 1941, and subsequently the state of fortification works, using position maps, for the first time by 15 June 1941. Fifteenth Army Headquarters is also to report by 20 April 1941 the final organization achieved for defence of the Channel Islands.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 0288.jpg, 0289.jpg, 0290.jpg, 0291.jpg, 0292.jpg, 0293.jpg, 0294.jpg, 0295.jpg, 0296.jpg, 0297.jpg.