15 January 1943 Part 4

15 January 1943 Jersey Harbour Protection Group report on the Schokland search

The harbour protection boats FK 23, FK 29, FK 30 and FK 31 sailed during the night of 4–5 January 1943 for the search following the sinking of Schokland.

0230: Left the pier. The boats proceeded in the direction of the St Clement’s Church upper light and Grève d’Azette lower light as far as approximately Pointe Le Fret. Nothing was observed up to that point except lively signal traffic east-southeast at a distance of ten nautical miles. Since nothing could be seen elsewhere, the boats returned along the leading lights to the red Rouadière light buoy, then passed the Hinguette buoy and continued to the Demi de Pas light tower at a distance of one nautical mile. There they sent the Morse message “Where is Schokland?” to the boats underway outside, but received no answer. These could have been the convoy that was to continue with Holland. Orders were to search at Noirmont. After another Morse message to the Albert Pier signal station asking where Schokland was, the answer was “We do not know.” Nothing could be seen off Noirmont Point either, so contact was made with La Corbière about the accident position. La Corbière signalled: “Schokland grounded at Pointe Plémont.” Since this was inexplicable, the boats returned to harbour for fresh orders. They remained ready to sail.

All operational boats sailed on searches on 5, 6 and 7 January 1943. Nine bodies and some pieces of luggage were recovered. Otherwise no special events. Signed Pluekhahn, Obersteuermann and group leader. [The conflicting location messages are retained exactly as the report describes them.]

T-1022 Roll 2422, scan 0347. Leader, Harbour Protection Group Jersey, Secret 1064, to Harbour Commandant Jersey. Subject: war diary; no previous correspondence.