19 December 1944 Part 29

Item 14 — Operations Order continued

3. Intelligence on the enemy: (a) surveillance of St Malo Bay by a corvette had ceased; (b) enemy signal station on the Îles Chausey; (c) heavy traffic between St Malo and Granville and along the coast from Granville to Regnéville; (d) on 18 and 19 December, five or six destroyers in grid square B.F. 2917, probably engaged in minesweeping; (e) Granville’s lights may be expected to burn; (f) fishing craft are likely to appear in the operational area.

4. German situation: (a) Maitresse Island, Plateau des Minquiers, occupied by a German observation post and radio station; optical signalling possible. (b) Jersey lights will not be shown, so as not to reveal the intention prematurely. (c) Two harbour-defence boats are on station south of St Helier.

5. Outward route: Route Kreuz through points Kreuz 5, 4, 3 and 2; then steer south of the Jersey channel and Le Pignon lighthouse. Cruising speed 34 knots. Silent running off Granville.

6. Return: (a) after completion, return to Peter Port by the outward route, although routing is to be decided according to circumstances; divert to St Helier if necessary. (b) On passing latitude 49 degrees north and longitude 2 degrees west, send the following short signal: QQPE if intending to enter Peter Port; QQHL if intending to enter St Helier.

7. Conduct in fog: if the navigational accuracy required for the barrage position cannot be guaranteed, the operation is to be abandoned.

8. Conduct on encountering the enemy: avoid contact by evasion. Laying the barrage without being noticed is essential to its effectiveness.

9. Communications: normal radio silence; the short signal under paragraph 6 and use of the Fu.M.B. are authorised.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0168 — decoded-message annex, continuation