1 January 1945 Part 1

1 January 1945

09:00 — Wind north-east 4; sea 2–3; visibility 3 nautical miles; cloud 8/10; cloud base 800 metres.

09:40, Alderney — The Artillery Group reported one escort destroyer in grid B.F. 3552, on a varying course.

10:40, Guernsey — F.K. 56 sailed to recover a drifting lifeboat reported south of Guernsey.

10:50–14:00 — Anti-Aircraft Battalion 292 of the Luftwaffe provided anti-aircraft cover for F.K. 56.

12:00 — Wind north-east 3–4; sea 2; visibility 12 nautical miles; cloud 6/10; cloud base 1,200 metres.

12:10, Alderney — One destroyer of the J, K or N class was reported in grid B.F. 3528, on a northerly course.

14:00, Guernsey — F.K. 56 returned towing a lifeboat from the passenger ship Leopoldville.

14:50, Alderney — Five vessels were observed in grid B.F. 3552, on a southerly course. One was a two-funnel passenger ship; the other four could not be identified because of the visibility.

16:25 — Several dull detonations were heard between 330° and 360°, at very great distance.

16:35, Alderney — The Harbour Commandant reported one heavy detonation far to the north.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. T-1022 Roll 2422 — source scan 0748 (original diary page 1)