21 October 1942 Part 1

21 October 1942 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

Weather: wind from 315°, 5 metres per second.

08:30: 319th Infantry Division cancelled combat readiness, Alert Level I. From 22:30, naval-target alarm for Batterie Strassburg and Army Coastal Artillery Staff 727 following detections of naval targets.

22:40–22:58: Army Coastal Batteries 354, 461, 463, 471 and 472 fired fifty-six rounds at naval targets detected in grid 2694 upper part, to 2895 centre, to 2694 centre and upper part [grid sequence retained as printed]. After being fired on, the enemy immediately reversed course and withdrew north-westwards. From 23:30 all alerted batteries were at defensive readiness.

The diary assessed the targets as probably torpedo-boat or destroyer size because detections came through with exceptional reliability at one-minute intervals. Previous experience was that British motor torpedo boats and similar small craft were not detected by the German radar even at closer ranges. The targets therefore appeared larger. Their speed approaching and withdrawing was about twenty knots; motor torpedo boats would presumably have withdrawn faster after coming under fire.

The possible purpose was a raid on a nearby island, minelaying or disruption of convoy traffic. Letting the enemy approach closer might have been more effective, but the convoy just sailing, Minotaure and two patrol boats, prevented this. Further delay risked the detected British targets making contact with the convoy. The radar indicated three targets assessed as superior in fighting strength to the convoy. Otherwise no special occurrences. [These identifications and intentions are the diary writer’s assessment.]

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37996, scans 0534–0535.