9 November 1941

9 November 1941 Reorganisation of island infantry and artillery

The previous instruction concerning reinforcement of the Channel Islands was cancelled and replaced. The organisation of 319th Infantry Division on Guernsey, Jersey and Sark, and of elements of 83rd Infantry Division on Alderney, was shown in an annex to follow.

II Battalion Infantry Regiment 583 was restored to full strength by the transfer of 5th Company Infantry Regiment 596, which became 5th Company Infantry Regiment 583. The rifle and machine-gun companies of the infantry regiments were to be reorganised to the stated first-wave war establishments, while their supply trains remained horse-drawn. The heavy machine guns and heavy mortars previously supplied as static equipment counted towards the new establishment. Each regiment also received a 13th infantry-gun company from 225th Infantry Division and was to form a motorised 14th anti-tank company; static 3.7 cm and 4.5 cm anti-tank guns, towing vehicles and drivers did not count against the new establishment.

Artillery Regiment 319 was expanded to four battalions. 3rd Battery Artillery Battalion 656 became 3rd Battery Artillery Regiment 319; 7th Battery Artillery Regiment 246 became 6th Battery; 2nd Battery Artillery Battalion 671 became 9th Battery; and Artillery Battalion 652 became IV Battalion. 2nd Battery Artillery Battalion 656 was to be rearmed with 10 cm guns and then join the regiment.

Two further army coastal-artillery battalion headquarters were allocated to command the mortar batteries, three batteries per island. One was I Battalion Artillery Regiment 327, already on Jersey; the other was to be supplied by Army High Command. A personnel reorganisation of the army coastal batteries was planned. Panzerjäger Reconnaissance Battalion 225 transferred to 319th Infantry Division with its existing number and field-post number and had already reached Guernsey. The 13th infantry-gun companies of 215th Infantry Division were ordered away immediately, except for one platoon retained with each regiment. Draft signed von Oppen.

T-314 Roll 1603, T314_Roll_1603_English_Translation.docx. Source PDF pages 0149–0151 | Higher Command XXXXIII Army Corps, Section Ia No. 4065/41 Secret, 9 November 1941 | Annex 4 to the October activity report