Case 49. Documents of the operational department of the 620th Mining Engineering and Dear Regimental Staff: the order of the Regiment No. 1 on the planned offensive on the fortress "Gibraltar" (2 copies).

Brief Summary of Case 49

This document is Regimental Order No. 1 of the 620th Mountain Engineer Regiment, dated 27 November 1940, outlining its role in the planned assault on Gibraltar.

Key points include:

• The order describes the expected enemy defensive system, including a main line of resistance along the northern edge of Gibraltar's land defences, fortified positions, obstacles, and the possibility of chemical warfare.
• It details the overall attack plan of the 1st Mountain Division, supported by artillery, assault guns, anti-aircraft weapons, smoke units, and infantry formations.
• The 620th Mountain Engineer Regiment was assigned the initial mission of capturing the forward defensive area, clearing obstacles, conducting reconnaissance, and enabling the advance of follow-on infantry forces into the fortress.
• The plan included a two-hour artillery bombardment, smoke screening of key defensive sectors, and a coordinated engineer assault beginning around 11:10 hours, followed by infantry attacks and an assault-boat operation against the North Mole.
• Detailed instructions were provided for creating six assault lanes through minefields and obstacles, directing troops toward specific objectives around the north wall, lagoon, and defensive positions.
• The order emphasized maintaining momentum, rapidly moving heavy weapons forward, conducting combat reconnaissance, and identifying enemy withdrawal routes and access points into the fortress.
• After the infantry breakthrough, the engineer regiment was tasked with eliminating bypassed defensive positions, securing tunnel entrances, and remaining available for further operations.
• The document also covers logistics, ammunition supply, casualty handling, communications, reporting procedures, and command-post locations.

Overall, the file is a detailed operational order describing how the 620th Mountain Engineer Regiment would spearhead the planned ground assault on Gibraltar by breaching defences, opening routes for advancing troops, and supporting the subsequent attack into the fortress.