16 October 1944 Part 6

16 October 1944 Minquiers reconnaissance and island supply voyages

Editorial note: The supplied translation places this continuation under 16 October 1944 after a gap in the original pages. The passage expressly reports traffic on 15 October; its diary placement is retained.

A harbour protection boat reconnoitred the Minquiers south of Jersey. From there it sighted one corvette all day between the Minquiers and St Malo, one tanker and one coastal patrol boat leaving St Malo, and two motor torpedo boats entering and leaving. Two harbour protection boats made a courier voyage Jersey–Guernsey. Two artillery ferry barges and one coastal motor vessel formed an Alderney–Guernsey supply convoy.

It is gratifying that courier and supply traffic between the Channel Islands continues despite constant enemy patrol activity, and that reconnaissance to the Minquiers succeeded. These operations show the willingness of command and crews to act.

During 15 October, exceptionally strong enemy convoy traffic in the Channel Islands sea area: besides two patrol vessels, nineteen destroyers, two corvettes, fifteen LSTs, three freighters and twelve medium or small transports observed. St Malo harbour has probably therefore been reopened, perhaps only at high water.

T-1022 Roll 4008; PG 37611 | Frame 0440; original pages 7468, 7469. Extract from T1022_R4008_English_Translation.docx.