11 July 1940

11 July 1940 Guernsey anti aircraft battery transport aboard Holland

The steamer Holland, about 500 tonnes and 1000 horsepower, has been made ready. Steam trials and trial runs were satisfactory. With the French harbour commandant’s help a small French crew has been assembled, but even for a single voyage it must be supplemented by Germans.

At the Luftwaffe’s urgent request, a 3.7 cm battery has been loaded aboard. I could not agree to the request to sail for Guernsey on the night of 11–12 July, for these reasons: moving berth and a few harbour manoeuvres had not sufficiently demonstrated seaworthiness; the engineering personnel, like the whole crew, had only joined on 11 July and were insufficiently familiar with the machinery; apart from a few inadequate lifeboats, rafts or similar safety equipment were still lacking; and the timing and direction of that night’s motor torpedo boat operation could bring pursuing enemies across the steamer’s route as our boats returned. Signed Stichling.

T-1022 Roll 2448, T1022_R2448_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 38117 | Frame 00513 | War diary page 19 and 20