8 November 1942 Part 8

8 November 1942 Island alert ordered following events in North Africa

Date note: Army-level instruction supplementing the naval diaries’ local readiness entries. An alert is not evidence of an attack.

Seventh Army Ia No. 4970/42, secret command matter. Signal to LXXXIV and XXV Army Corps and SS Panzer Corps, 8 November 1942, 14:30.

The situation in French North Africa and unoccupied France may also prompt British attacks against our coastal front.

Accordingly, from 18:00 on 8 November, Alert Level I is ordered for the whole coastal front for the night of 8/9 November, in all coastal defence sectors and on the islands, for all armed forces elements employed in land defence, but excluding auxiliary personnel and those on the combat roster, and without fuel consumption.

From 18:00 all reserves, including Army Group reserves allocated to the special contingency now initiated, are to be kept ready for alarm in their quarters, still without fuel consumption, so readiness to march can be established at the shortest notice.

Signed Sixt; certified correct by a lieutenant [signature unclear]. After despatch: Senior Quartermaster, Ic and Ia war diary.

German Seventh Army records, T-312 Roll 1548. T312 Roll 1548 English translation REVIEWED EDITION 4.docx. Local source scans: 0918.jpg.