6 September 1941 Part 2

6 September 1941 Army request for naval assessment of the Channel Islands fortifications

Editorial note: Other copies or associated sheets are cited together; repeated text is counted once.

[Scan 1122.jpg] Copy. Annex 1 to Army High Command, Army General Staff, Operations Branch IIa, no. 1582/41, top secret, October 1941. Army High Command, Operations Branch IIa, no. 1470/41, top secret. Headquarters, 6 September 1941. Commanders only; convey only by officer. Fourth of four copies. Reference: Chief of Armed Forces High Command no. 449389, top secret, of 10 June 1941. Subject: Channel Islands. To Naval High Command, Naval War Staff.

In the referenced order, Armed Forces High Command required that the Channel Islands be reinforced in infantry and artillery and “must be made impregnable.” The first reconnaissance reports for the planned permanent construction on the islands are now available.

For further planning of construction, Commander-in-Chief West has requested a decision whether, in addition to the purpose mentioned in paragraph 1, other tasks should be taken into account in permanent construction on the islands. Commander-in-Chief West mentions the following possible tasks for the fortifications: a) establishing bases for German naval and air forces; b) providing support and participating in the fighting of German naval forces in the Channel; c) blocking enemy sea traffic in the Channel over the greatest possible distance, from the islands alone or in conjunction with later permanent coastal fortifications (batteries) on the French coast; d) securing the Gulf of St Malo for German naval forces in conjunction with later permanent coastal fortifications on the French coast; e) engaging any future French coastal fortifications (batteries) on the French coast.

[Scan 1123.jpg] Since these tasks essentially fall within the Navy’s sphere of judgment, Army High Command requests the Naval War Staff’s opinion, before a decision by Armed Forces High Command is sought, on whether use of the island fortifications for these tasks is considered possible and desirable in the interests of the Navy. By order, signed Heusinger.

Distribution: Naval High Command/Naval War Staff, first copy; Commander-in-Chief West, second; General of Engineers and Fortresses at Army High Command, third; Army General Staff, Operations Branch IIa, fourth. Certified correct copy: [signature unclear], Lieutenant.

German Army High Command records, T-78 Roll 317. Supplied English translation T78_Roll_317_English_Translation.docx. Source images: 1122.jpg, 1123.jpg, 1157.jpg, 1158.jpg.