23 April 1944 Part 2

23 April 1944 Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Normandy radar reporting station — 1944-04-23

Night 23/24 April. Wind WSW–W1–2, visibility 5–8 nautical miles, sea 0–1. Mammut Jobourg tracked enemy convoy, probably callsign Fathom, 0825–1055 from centre BF3146 to upper-right corner 3147. FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II same convoy 0908–0911 in BF3146 at 914–916 hectometres. FuMO214 Jobourg 0936–1018 fast enemy targets from lower-left corner BF2394 to upper-left corner 2395 at 937–972 hectometres.

FuMO214 Jobourg detected several small sea targets 2317 at 258 hectometres, and FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II2313 at 236 hectometres, in lower-edge centre BF3525. Course 2317:180°; 2318:90° to upper-left 3529,180° to 3529,270° to 2320 in upper centre 3528; northwest until 0111 in lower-left 3525; 0112 northeast to lower centre 3525; 90° until 0134 to upper-right corner 3525.

0147: FuMO214 Jobourg detected several sea targets in lower-edge centre BF3519, course and speed changing markedly, general course east. Set and Radar Reporting Station classified them as questionable, so locating signal 0208: contacts questionable. 0226 targets lost in lower-right BF3523 at 219 hectometres. Assumption of genuine targets strengthened by Normandy interception network bearings on same targets 0122 in BF3528, 2527 [as typed] and 3524. Enemy locating signals 0127 and 0158. Northerly course and high speed prevented torpedo-boat deployment. Repeatedly directed FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II did not detect targets simultaneously, only later 0234 in lower-right BF3528 (uncertain whether same targets), at 0251 in right-edge centre 3553, course south; lost 0251 at 251 hectometres.

FuMO51 La Pernelle 0337 detected small enemy targets at 272 hectometres in upper centre BF3538, matching interception bearings. General course NW. 0413 targets lost in lower centre BF3534. FuMOII Jersey 0139 several small targets from upper-right BF3574 to upper-left 3575, course SW to right centre 3574; lost 0224 on northward course. One locating signal. Probably enemy fast boats acting as minelayers. No confirmation from other sets.

Normandy interception network 0255–0353 took bearings on further radar emitter (sea target) in BF3538, later stopped. From 0354 northward via 3534, 3531 to 3197. According to commander 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla radio report, radar emitters identified as enemy fast boats. After engagement 0349–0415, they departed north at only about 12 knots.

Three torpedo boats of 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla departed Cherbourg 0000 pursuant to Commander Security West top-secret teleprinter 03921 A I to attack targets detected by Jobourg 2317 in lower centre BF3525. Through continuous locating signals, enemy-bearing and range signals [continued].

Normandy radar reporting station — 1944-04-23

Continuation of 23/24 April. Boats guided towards enemy. Battle contact 0108 in upper centre BF3528 until 0120 in upper-right BF3525 (commander 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla radio message 0112/73). On return passage torpedo boats directed towards targets tracked by Jobourg 0127–0226. No battle contact. When shipborne radar emitters appeared 0255 in BF3538 and FuMO51 La Pernelle detected enemy targets from 0337 in same sea area, boats again directed onto targets by continuous locating signals, enemy-bearing and range signals. Battle contact about 0349 in upper-left BF3538 until 0415 in BF3534 (commander 5th Torpedo-boat Flotilla radio message 0356/16). Return of own torpedo boats to Cherbourg assisted by locating signals.

Contacts today confirmed as enemy targets resemble, according to reports by set commanders and observers and Radar Reporting Station findings, enemy targets previously reported by Radar Reporting Station as MTBs or MGBs but unconfirmed. In both torpedo-boat deployments against enemy fast-boat groups, boats approached undetected and entirely unexpectedly despite enemy groups having radars switched on. FuMO214 Cap Lévy 0251–0329 and FuMO51 Cap de la Hague II0258–0325 suffered metal-strip interference. Twenty-one locating signals for navigational assistance.

T-1022 Roll 2448, T1022_R2448_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 38122 | Frame 00685 | original page 45 verso
PG 38122 | Frame 00686 | original page 46