17 July 1943 Part 6

17 July 1943 Flotilla commander leads Channel Islands route checks

17 July: divisional order Gkdos 4418 directed Convoy Office to bring Group B escort boats back to Saint-Malo, then five SDG(F) boats to check AT mines on the Channel Islands routes via Guernsey to Cherbourg; report intentions. 11:00: flotilla commander reported proposed departure at 21:00 with M 4627, M 4613, M 4615, M 4616 and M 4618, sweeping Ida 1–2–3–4–5–3–5 then Jersey, seven knots.

20:45 [minute partly obscured]: sailed from lock under flotilla commander. 21:20: Ida 1. 21:45, three nautical miles north of Ida 1: streamed gear; M 4627 ORG minus 18 m, M 4615, M 4616 and M 4618 SDG(F) with 20 m float pendants. Double line abreast echeloned to port, 300 m spacing. 23:15: Ida 2. 23:55: Ida 3. 24:00: ENE force 3, sea 2, overcast, rain, visibility 4–6 nautical miles.

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 410 | Source PDF scans 410, 411.