5 May 1945 Part 2

5 May 1945 Part 2 Alderney surrender demand rejected

Situation in the western area on 5 May 1945 at 0800 hours

III) Western-area fortresses

Channel Islands:

On 2 May the enemy, signalling from the sea with a ship’s searchlight, called on the island commander of Alderney to surrender.

The Commander, Channel Islands, replied by Morse signal:

“Your offer is unnecessary.”

Translator’s note: “Überflüssig” can also be rendered “superfluous”. The event occurred on 2 May and was included in the situation report of 5 May.

German Naval Staff diary. BArch RM 7/854. Published Part A, volume 68. PDF pages 445, 446; printed page 435-A to 436-A. Audited translation reference 44.