16 December 1943 Part 2

16 December 1943 Enemy intelligence for 1 to 15 December

1 December, 13:40: a four-engine American bomber flew at about fifty metres over Saint-Fromond, seventeen kilometres north of Saint-Lô, towards Neuilly–Airel while exchanging fire with landing defence guns. It displayed French national colours. 2 December, between 12:55 and 13:40: about fifty-five aircraft attacked the construction site at Brix in several waves with bombs. Damage not yet known; two aircraft shot down. Between 12:30 and 13:00, a strong bomber formation crossed Guernsey and Jersey at 4,000–5,000 metres under antiaircraft fire. Objects, probably tanks, were seen dropping from Jersey. One aircraft was brought down at sea, probably by the navy.

Sabotage: at 20:00 on 5 December, three heavy air force cables were cut near Virandeville, ten kilometres southwest of Cherbourg. Secret Field Police at Cherbourg had no result so far. At 08:30 on 9 December, a goods train derailed near Folligny on the Flers–Granville line after rails were torn up. One soldier of a transport column of 319th Division and one of 11/Regiment 657, 346th Division, were killed; two soldiers seriously wounded. Clothing and equipment for 319th Division were aboard. No major material damage. Secret Field Police and Field Gendarmerie at Granville had no result so far.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 16 December 1943 | Source PDF pages 1348–1349. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.