2 June 1941

2 June 1941 Report on Channel Islands defence with Jersey and Guernsey maps

Higher Command reported to Army Group A that its commander had personally visited both larger islands during the preceding week and had inspected the defensive measures in detail, taking account of their available forces. The result was considered satisfactory. A briefing had also been given to the Commander-in-Chief of Fifteenth Army. The attached maps explained the dispositions.

Command and organisation

Oberst Graf von Schmettow, designated Commander of the British Channel Islands and assessed as well suited to the appointment, was subordinate to 319th Infantry Division.

Jersey was commanded by the commander of III Battalion Infantry Regiment 584. The garrison comprised III Battalion Infantry Regiment 584, an infantry-pioneer platoon and anti-tank platoon of Infantry Regiment 584, headquarters and 8th Battery Artillery Regiment 319, a four-gun 7.5 cm French captured battery, a four-gun 15.5 cm French captured battery and a 15 cm naval battery.

Guernsey was commanded by the commander of I Battalion Infantry Regiment 584. The garrison comprised I Battalion Infantry Regiment 584; Machine-Gun Battalion 16, consisting of three machine-gun companies each with twelve MG 08s, one pioneer company and one anti-tank company with nine guns; 7th Battery Artillery Regiment 319; a four-gun 7.5 cm French captured battery; a four-gun 15.5 cm French captured battery; a four-gun 22 cm naval battery; and eight 2 cm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns.

Alderney, subordinate either to 216th Infantry Division or to the Naval Artillery Commander Cherbourg, was commanded by the naval battery commander. Its troops were one platoon of Infantry Regiment 348, one heavy-machine-gun group from the same regiment and a 17 cm naval battery.

Strength and fortifications

The infantry battalions of 319th Division, Machine-Gun Battalion 16 and the two 319th Division batteries were fully combat-effective. The two captured batteries on each of the two principal islands had only improvised officer and enlisted complements. Each rifle company in the 319th Division battalions possessed one light mortar. Heavy mortars were absent; six light and six heavy mortars had been requested for each battalion but had not yet arrived.

Permanent field posts with all-round obstacles were established at strongpoint intervals along the entire coast, with sector reserves behind them; there were no other fortifications. On Jersey, two rifle companies were directly committed to coastal defence. One rifle company, one heavy-machine-gun platoon, one infantry-pioneer platoon and one light-field-howitzer battery formed the island commander’s reserve. On Guernsey, three machine-gun companies and one pioneer company of Machine-Gun Battalion 16 were committed directly to coastal defence. One infantry battalion, one anti-tank platoon and one light-field-howitzer battery formed the island commander’s reserve.

Artillery

On Jersey, the 7.5 cm captured battery was divided between Saint Helier harbour and the west coast as beach-defence guns. The 15.5 cm captured battery was temporarily divided between the south-west and north-west coasts; its concentration on the most endangered sector and construction of permanent positions with concrete emplacements were in progress. The 15 cm naval battery lay in the south-west and was provisionally ready to engage visible targets while work on its position continued. The light-field-howitzer battery acted as a mobile reserve; its positions and fire data had been surveyed and prepared.

On Guernsey, the 7.5 cm captured battery was divided between Saint Peter Port and the west of the island as beach-defence guns. The 15 cm captured battery was emplaced in the north-west; its permanent position with concrete emplacements was under construction. The 22 cm naval battery on the south-east coast was provisionally ready for action. Its crews were trained, but it lacked an all-round sighting and sea-target firing procedure and a command post; the equipment had been requested from the Naval Commander. A light-field-howitzer battery again acted as a mobile reserve. Landing obstacles had been placed at the sites considered most likely to be used for landings, as shown on the maps.

Armoured and anti-tank forces

Four French captured tanks allotted to Jersey were to be loaded at Granville on 4 June; no further armoured forces were available. On Jersey, the available anti-tank platoon defended Saint Helier. On Guernsey, the anti-tank company of Machine-Gun Battalion 16 employed one platoon for harbour protection and held two platoons with the mobile reserve.

Supply position

Artillery ammunition: four issues, 4,000 rounds, for the 7.5 cm French guns were available. For the 10.5 cm light field howitzers, one and a half issues, 1,900 rounds, were available and a further two and a half issues, 2,100 rounds, were on the way. For the 15.5 cm French guns, one and two-thirds issues, 1,000 rounds, were available and another two and one-third issues, 1,400 rounds, had been requested.

Infantry ammunition: the first issue was available; Machine-Gun Battalion 16 held two issues. The second issue was on the way, and the third and fourth had been requested.

Fuel was available for three months and was being replenished continuously. Provisions were likewise available for three months and were being replenished continuously. No reserve equipment was held.

Requests and deficiencies

Formal establishment of the post of Commander of the British Channel Islands had been requested but not yet completed. An establishment for Machine-Gun Battalion 16 was urgently required, as its existing composition made it particularly suitable to serve as a permanent island battalion. The promised reinforcement of each of the two 319th Division infantry battalions, totalling twelve light and twelve heavy mortars, was still awaited.

The establishment provided for each of the four captured batteries—one officer, two NCOs and fifteen men—was sufficient in itself. A substantial increase in command and fire-control personnel was nevertheless urgently required for use of long-base fire control, together with rangefinding equipment. Anti-aircraft protection was inadequate: two 2 cm Army anti-aircraft guns for each principal island had been requested.

Because of the separate subordinate bodies on the two islands, reliable and rapid sea communications were essential. The requirement was for the already repeatedly requested fast, seaworthy motorboats for the Commander of the British Channel Islands and for the forward naval station. To permit reliefs and continuation training, assignment of two or three companies for the islands of Jersey and Guernsey was also considered desirable.

Defence map of Guernsey with insets for the Channel Islands and Sark, showing field posts and minefields. Source PDF page 0095.

Defence map of Jersey showing field posts and minefields. Source PDF page 0096.

T-314 Roll 1603, T314_Roll_1603_English_Translation.docx. Source PDF pages 0090–0096 | Higher Command XXXXIII Army Corps, Section T/Ia No. 216/41 Secret Command Matter, 2 June 1941