30 April 1941 Part 2

April 1941 Coastal appreciation and island forces

Editorial note: Monthly report or annex; placed at the end of the reporting month because no single document date is supplied. Dates within the text retain their original meaning. The source gives a different naval-battery calibre from the monthly report; both readings are retained.

Guernsey had cliffs from Saint Peter Port southwards and along the whole south coast; landing opportunities existed from Saint Peter Port northwards and on the north and west coasts. Jersey had cliffs on the north coast, with landing opportunities on the west, south and east fronts.

The army formations listed were 225th, 57th and 216th Infantry Divisions. The 57th Division was being relieved by 323rd Infantry Division. The reinforced 319th Infantry Division was to take over the former 6th Division sector, with an adjustment to the right boundary of 216th Division, and was also to receive the British Channel Islands.

The British Channel Islands were commanded by Oberst Graf von Schmettow. On Guernsey, the island commander was the commander of Machine-Gun Battalion 16. His forces were Machine-Gun Battalion 16 with five companies, I Battalion Infantry Regiment 398 less 3rd Company, one 7.5 cm battery, one French 15.5 cm battery and a three-gun 15.5 cm battery being built by the navy. On Jersey, the island commander was the commander of Pioneer Battalion 216. His forces were Pioneer Battalion 216, less 3rd Company and its 1st column; 3rd Company Infantry Regiment 398; half of 14th Company Infantry Regiment 398; elements of 4th Company Infantry Regiment 398; one 7.5 cm battery; one French 15.5 cm battery; and a three-gun 15.5 cm battery being built by the navy.

T-314 Roll 1603, T314_Roll_1603_English_Translation.docx. Source PDF pages 0046–0057