20 December 1944 Part 16

Continuation: report on the night of 20/21 December 1944

FT 1246/21 continued: ‘During the past night there were continuous radar fixes and observations of the employment of surface and air forces, with [uncertain: illuminating shells], parachute flares and searchlights in grid squares B.F. 2660, 3540 and 3510. Together with the hearing of low diesel-engine noises, this suggests intensive anti-submarine activity.

‘Among other things: at 19:45, muzzle flashes and searchlights in approximately grid square 2665; from 23:25 to 00:00, a recurring glow or fire at sea in approximately grid square 2665; at 00:20, parachute flares and tracer fire from light anti-aircraft guns fired upwards from the sea in approximately grid square 2665; low engine noises at approximately 01:15 in grid square 2669 and at approximately 02:15 in grid square 3547; radar fixes of targets of destroyer size [uncertain] at 22:30 in grid square 2668, at 23:40 in grid square 2663, and from 01:09 to 03:34 in grid squares 3519/18/41. — Naval Commandant, Channel Islands.’

The General of the Luftwaffe, Channel Islands, reported the following observations during the night: several aircraft, some identified as DC-3s, passed east of Alderney on a northerly course at 16:57, 17:06 and 17:09, outside effective range. Between 23:00 and 01:30, surveillance flights over an enemy convoy were detected in the Alderney area. At 21:14, from 23:01 to 00:26, at 07:12 and at 07:58, instrument and acoustic reports recorded individual aircraft passing outside effective range, chiefly north-west of Guernsey.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0138 — original page 307