22 October 1944 Part 9

22 October 1944

13:10

Alderney reported one destroyer in grid square B.F. 3516, course south-east.

Oberleutnant zur See Grohne, leader of the observation detachment on Maîtresse Island (Plateau des Minquiers) from 15 to 22 October 1944, reported:

1. Continuous surveillance of the sea area off Saint-Malo by a corvette. At 13:00 on 20 October it was relieved by a motor vessel of about 800 GRT with a maximum speed of 14 knots. The patrol area was the triangle 48°45′ N, 1°52′ W / 48°44′ N, 2°12′ W / 48°52′ N, 2°21′ W — approximately Basse des Sauvages, point Ida 2 and Pointe du Grouin. Saint-Malo was not the base of these vessels.

2. An enemy signal station was located on the Îles Chausey. It reported the display of the Jersey lights to the mainland, after which an MTB or MGB group was regularly dispatched from Saint-Malo towards point 332.

3. French fishing cutters operated as far as Western-Ardentes [place-name uncertain].

4. Working lights were visible at night in Saint-Malo and Granville. Granville harbour lights burned nightly.

5. Convoy traffic to Saint-Malo could be observed only to a limited extent because of poor visibility. Over the complete period of observation, on course 145° (325°) across Vieux Banc, the following were seen: one transport of about 1,500 GRT, two escort destroyers, one coastal patrol boat and four E-boats.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0014 — original page 206