22 March 1945

22 March 1945 Secret documents captured aboard the Granville prize

c) According to a report from the Commander, Channel Islands, important secret orders and instructions were captured aboard the steamer Eswood, seized during the Granville operation. These included the latest shipping routes along the English Channel and east coasts, including the Irish Sea, as well as sailing instructions for countering the new German bottom mines.

Naval High Command West has accordingly ordered that these captured documents be sent to Naval High Command, with priority allocation of an aircraft.

Translator’s note: The ship’s name is typed “Eswood” in this diary passage; it is retained here as written. The vessel is commonly identified as Eskwood. The captured routing documents are mentioned but are not reproduced as maps on this page.

German Naval Staff diary. BArch RM 7/70; former British Admiralty reference Case GE 167, PG 31739. Published Part A, volume 67. PDF page 325; printed page 319. Audited translation reference 30.