10 July 1943 Part 4

10 July 1943 Group B annex 3 fog disperses the Granville Jersey convoy

10 July, 00:15, off Granville: took over convoy and proceeded to Jersey. Shortly after departure M 4430 reported the rear convoy vessels dropping astern. Convoy leader watched formation more closely, reduced to minimum speed and repeatedly stopped. About 02:30 a fog bank formed between M 4613 and the convoy, obscuring the ships. By 04:30 contact had not been regained and M 4430 also reported loss of sight. V 727 and coaster Claus were ordered to continue to Jersey at minimum speed, while M 4613 and M 4430 turned back to recover the remaining convoy. This failed because those ships had returned to Granville owing to fog. 06:48: M 4613, M 4430, V 727 and Claus entered Saint Helier. MSS Jersey confirmed the rest had returned to Granville. Diagram shows M 4613 ahead, Claus to port, M 4430 to starboard, V 727 astern.

New order through Jersey Harbour Commandant: at 23:00 M 4613 and V 727 to sail for Guernsey with RO 8 and tug Bremen. Departure postponed 24 hours because of weather. Signed Fieguth.

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 394b | Source PDF scans 394, 395.