6 May 1945 Part 2

6 May 1945 Part 2 Direct command by the Armed Forces High Command

Radio message from the Armed Forces High Command / Armed Forces Operations Staff / Operations Section (Navy), 6 May 1945

KR radio message via the naval signals service

To:

1) All western fortresses, including the Channel Islands

2) Naval High Command West

3) For information: Naval High Command / 1st Naval Staff Division, by courier, second copy

1) Command of the western fortresses and the Channel Islands hereby passes from Naval High Command West directly to the Armed Forces High Command / Armed Forces Operations Staff.

2) No reply has yet been received to the Grand Admiral’s offer to include the western fortresses in the ceasefire. The existing combat instructions therefore remain in force for the time being.

3) The planned Channel Islands operation against St Malo-Granville on 7 May is not to be carried out.

OKW / WFSt / Op (M) No. 0010048/45, Secret Command Matter

German Naval Staff diary. BArch RM 7/854. Published Part A, volume 68. PDF page 463; printed page 453-A. Audited translation reference 49.