4 October 1944 Part 2

4 October 1944 Channel Islands command arrangements

Regulation of command authority in the Channel Islands. The Naval Commander, Channel Islands, has again requested alteration of the command arrangements on the islands, which he regards as inappropriate. The request envisages extensive transfer of command authority from the Army to the Navy and also aims at removal of a number of senior Army officers.

While fully recognising the naval commander’s firm intention to do his part to promote the islands’ ability to hold out as far as possible, I consider his proposals inappropriate and far beyond what is attainable. The Army organised the defence of the islands from the outset, garrisoning them with a reinforced infantry division, strong Army coastal artillery and Luftwaffe anti-aircraft units, a total of about 32,000 men. Naval personnel in the Channel Islands, including naval forces now there, total only about 3,500 men, or one tenth. A demand to assume command, including the naval commander’s proposed filling of the commandant posts on both islands, therefore cannot be convincingly justified.

Appointing the naval commander as Commander, Channel Islands, would undoubtedly fail because of Army opposition; this would be unavoidable even with the naval commander’s great personal energy, which I recognise.

I would consider the best solution to be conversion of the Commander, Channel Islands’ headquarters into a joint Armed Forces staff, with the naval commander becoming its chief while retaining his present position. Under Army practice he could then exert the best possible influence on the commander and staff in the naval interest. Any necessary replacement by air of Army officers who have become set in their ways through long service in the Channel Islands and are therefore unsuitable is possible, since officers are available.

I therefore propose: service command of Army units by the divisional commander, who is simultaneously Commander, Channel Islands; service command of naval forces by the naval commander, who is simultaneously Chief of Staff to Commander, Channel Islands; operational command of troops by the island commandants, on Guernsey by Commander, Channel Islands; operational command of naval forces by the naval commander.

I have no judgment to offer on the personality of the present commander of the islands, General Graf Schmettow. Any desirable replacement would have to be discussed with the Army Personnel Office. A corresponding statement is sent to Naval War Staff, Operations Division.

T-1022 Roll 4008; PG 37610 | Frame 0392; original pages 7419, 7420. Extract from T1022_R4008_English_Translation.docx.