21 August 1944 Part 1

21 August 1944 US Navy Guernsey batteries fire on returning PT boats

Editorial note: Radar control is Godfrey’s assessment, not independently established. The report’s light damage to PT 501 is retained despite its separate results line stating none.

21 August 0600 Patrol secured

The patrol secured at 0600 on 21 August 1944 and proceeded towards Cherbourg on a course between Guernsey and Alderney. The report does not specify the time standard. [C page 2]

After 0600 Guernsey shore batteries open fire

When the boats were about 7 miles north of Guernsey, shore batteries on the island opened fire. Three salvos of three rounds each were fired, all near misses. Godfrey considered the fire probably radar controlled because visibility was so poor. The exact firing times are not recorded. [C page 2]

Second salvo PT 501 struck by shrapnel

PT 501 was sprayed with shrapnel from the second salvo and sustained light damage. The accompanying plot shows the boats changing their relative positions during the three salvos and records that all boats except PT 501 laid smoke during retirement. Its note also states that visibility made observation from shore doubtful and suggests radar control of the batteries. [C pages 2–3]

Reported outcome

No enemy craft were sighted. There were no personnel casualties and no ammunition was expended. Although the results section lists “Own: None”, the following casualty line and narrative explicitly record light shrapnel damage to PT 501. No damage to the other boats is recorded. [C page 2]

Positions of PT 505, PT 501, PT 510 and PT 512 during the first, second and third salvos from Guernsey on 21 August 1944. The original annotations show smoke use and the reported near misses. [C page 3]

US Navy — original plot of four PT boats under Guernsey shore fire on 21 August 1944, source set C page 3. Original image retained at source resolution.

US Navy. Lt William C. Godfrey, action report dated 22 August 1944, source set C, pages 2–3. Supplied compilation: Jersey Convoy Action 13 to 14 August 1944.docx. Set letters and page or screenshot numbers refer to that compilation.