21 April 1944 Part 2

Summary

Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Location Details

Guernsey; Alderney; St Malo; Cherbourg; Cap de la Hague; Normandy

Diary Entry

21 April 1944 Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Normandy radar reporting station — 1944-04-21

Night 21/22 April. Wind SW–NW3–4, visibility 5–8 nautical miles, sea 1–2. FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II0952–1031 from centre BF3146 via centre 3154 to upper-right corner 3158: fast targets at 92–96 km. Mammut Jobourg 0910–1150 from centre BF3148 via upper-left corner 3149, centre 3146, centre 3154 to lower-left corner 3152. Same set 1325–1433: probably convoy callsign Cloak from centre 3147 to upper-left corner 2369.

Six minesweepers from Cherbourg between points 254 and 324 to Guernsey, tracked very well. Radar assistance requested by radio message 0143/82; continuously assisted. Two patrol boats (Vp 203) and three vessels Cherbourg–Alderney tracked very well. Radar assistance requested by radio message 0045/65; continuously assisted. 0125: call from 3rd Security Division duty staff officer, Lieutenant-Commander (Naval Signals) Riektof [name uncertain], asking why no locating signal had been sent following Vp 203’s request. Watch officer Lieutenant (Naval Signals) Wesemann replied [continued].

Normandy radar reporting station — 1944-04-21

Continuation of 21/22 April. Vp 203 had been given navigational locating signals at 0051, 0113 and 0119. Enciphered signals had been repeated over Naval Signals Station West line and therefore must also have reached 3rd Security Division.

Three torpedo boats departed Cherbourg eastwards on special assignment, tracked by La Pernelle to 488 hectometres. On 2nd Security Division order, locating-signal assistance and direction by Normandy Radar Reporting Station. Twelve locating signals, two enemy-bearing and range signals. Normandy radar-interception network detected enemy shipborne radar emitter on 209 MHz at 2236 in upper-left corner BF3647 via left-edge centre 3647, right centre 3569, upper-left edge 3647, centre 3647 to lower-right 3647. First signal 2241 to warn own three torpedo boats of 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla departing Cherbourg eastwards. When directed onto them, FuMO51 La Pernelle detected targets from 2256 in upper-left edge BF3647 via centre 3569 to left-edge centre 3647, upper-left 3647, right-edge centre 3647. Lost 0102 at 324 hectometres from La Pernelle. According to speed calculation and detection ranges (12–13 nautical miles), probably MGBs.

Ten enemy-target locating signals to assist 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla. Enemy formation apparently failed to detect own torpedo boats at 0009 despite its radar being switched on and only 9.6 nautical miles separation. Detections, classified as hostile after consultation with 2nd Security Division, passed continuously to Sea Commandant operations room from 2253. After telephone patch connection La Pernelle set–Sea Commandant for instruction and saving time, Sea Commandant Normandy classified detections as questionable. Sea Commandant emphatically advised targets were genuine because continuously well confirmed by interception bearings. No battle connection, no firing.

FuMO214 Jobourg detected several small sea targets at 0431 at 282 hectometres in lower-left corner BF3529, course 250° towards upper-left corner 3552. There moving back and forth 0452–0511, then course 35° to upper-left corner 3526; lost 0557 at 370 hectometres. According to intelligence report and detection ranges, MTBs or MGBs. FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II tracked same targets 0440–0538. Normandy radar-interception network took bearings on same targets with radar operating on 208 MHz from 0442 in lower centre BF3528, upper-left corner 3552 moving back and forth, lower-left corner 3528 to upper centre 3528. Targets switched off 0558. After consultation with Commander E-boats (duty staff officer), possibility of arriving E-boats must be considered. Own E-boats returning in groups. Therefore no artillery [continued].

Normandy radar reporting station — 1944-04-21

Continuation of 21/22 April. Six locating signals concerning enemy targets. Own E-boats returning in groups from west to Cherbourg tracked very well and clearly separated by FuMO214 Jobourg. Jobourg observer radio lance-corporal Wilgosch under set commander Chief Radio Petty Officer Menne. Small enemy vessels could be distinguished from own E-boats 0431–0557 because this enemy type is regularly also detected by FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II (similar situation 17 April 1944). Own E-boats, however, have not yet been detected by FuMO51 Hague II. To identify enemy approach, attempts 0510–0525 to reach 3rd Security Division duty staff officer failed. St Malo convoy control could give no clear identification; it obtained information from Radar Reporting Station. All enemy contacts reported to Admiral Channel Coast as ordered, and extracts to Group West operations staff duty officer. Twenty-nine locating signals for navigational assistance in total.

Source of Information