1 September 1944 Part 2

1 September 1944 US Navy September diary mission and Bordeaux interception

Editorial note: The diary’s explanation of the seizure is reproduced as its claim, not a legal conclusion. The paragraph records the arrival at Cherbourg on 2 September as an outcome of this operation.

The squadron diary covers 1–30 September and was submitted on 9 October 1944 by Lieutenant H. J. Sherertz. All times are BAKER from 1 September to 0200 on 18 September, then ABLE through 30 September unless otherwise specified. Squadron 34 comprised eleven boats, PT 498 through PT 508, under CTU 125.4.4 and CTF 125. Six additional PT boats were supplied by CTG 123.5. The mission was to intercept and attack enemy shipping in the Channel Islands and undertake other ordered operations. Minor repair facilities were at Cherbourg; major overhaul was assigned to Portland. [J screenshot 1]

PT 500, PT 501 and PT 502 left Morlaix at 0835 and reached Cherbourg at 1400 after protecting minesweepers and cargo vessels. PT 499, PT 503 and PT 506 were at Portland; the remaining five squadron boats were at Cherbourg. At 0930 PT 498, PT 504, PT 507 and PT 508 sailed with PT 515 and PT 518 to join Maloy north of Cézembre. PT 515 and PT 518 proceeded independently at 1200. [J screenshot 1]

The diary places Maloy’s interception of the German hospital ship Bordeaux at 1300 between the Minquiers and Chausey. The PT boats approached the rendezvous at 1500 but were ordered to remain out of sight for security. The Admiralty was notified; at 1730 HMS Ulysses placed a guard aboard. The diary describes Bordeaux as a legitimate prize because her tonnage was below a stated 2000 ton British hospital ship limit. This is the diary’s explanation, not an independent determination of the vessel’s legal status. Bordeaux and Ulysses set out for Portland but rough seas brought them to Cherbourg at 0830 on 2 September. [J screenshots 1–2]

The blockade force rendezvoused at 1730 and established patrol at 2230 on an east–west line seven miles north of Cézembre. PT 506 and PT 503 arrived independently from Portland, mooring at 1304 and 1720 respectively. [J screenshot 2]

The diary places Bordeaux’s interception at 1300 between the Minquiers and Chausey. The earlier historical excerpt gives an investigation at 1429, thirteen miles from Cézembre, and supplies a position. Both versions are retained. The diary says Ulysses and Bordeaux reached Cherbourg at 0830 on 2 September because of rough seas; the excerpt describes escort to Portland via Cherbourg for fuel. The diary supplies an additional stated tonnage explanation for the seizure. [J screenshots 1–2; H page 26]

US Navy. Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 34, September 1944 war diary submitted 9 October 1944, source set J, screenshots 1–2. Supplied compilation: Jersey Convoy Action 13 to 14 August 1944.docx. Set letters and page or screenshot numbers refer to that compilation.