23 October 1943 Part 2

23 October 1943 Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-10-23

Night 23/24 October. Wind S–SW3–4, visibility 8–10 nautical miles, sea 1–2. Nine E-boats from Cherbourg westwards, around Alderney to north and west, eastwards between Alderney and Cotentin, then northwards as distant escort for Münsterland convoy. Boats well detected by WR240 and tracked to 18 km. WR240 technically defective until 2300; excellent detections thereafter. E-boats detected south of Alderney at 20 km, tracked in BF3516, 3524, 3525, 3528, 3529 and 3552 out to 28 km. Münsterland convoy Lézardrieux–Cherbourg excellently tracked by all sets it passed except Carteret; WR241 from 60 km. WR310 tracked over Sark.

WR310 produced four detections 2231–2243 in BF3545, after which two enemy signals transmitted. Targets initially course 220°, later reciprocal 40°. Sea Commandant Channel Islands and Artillery Commander Alderney notified by radio; Commander of E-boats, 3rd Security Division and St Malo convoy control immediately informed.

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-10-23

[Continued:] Communications difficulties with Guernsey and especially Alderney. Radio message from St Malo convoy control following enemy detections, 2304/35: “Expect enemy E-boats south of Alderney.” Guernsey II radar also produced unknown detection 2308 in BF3545, after which locating signal 2308 transmitted. Discussion with set indicates probably false detection. Own E-boat group employed against enemy detections south of Alderney; searched grid 3545 without result. Other units informed by Commander of E-boats’ radio message 2325/47.

Five torpedo boats which, according to St Malo, were to pass between IdaII and III then westwards were, according to Jersey radar detections 0007–0037, farther north in upper-left BF3815. Initial uncertainty over target identification; recognised as own torpedo boats after discussion with St Malo convoy control. Position extracts and partial detections for all movements concerning special operation continuously passed every ten minutes to Brittany Radar Centre for 3rd Security Division.

Enemy radar aircraft 2050 in left-centre BF3554 [last digit faint]; warning signal issued. Maritime reconnaissance aircraft switched off soon after detection by radar-interception set. 5th Torpedo-Boat Flotilla, four boats Cherbourg–Le Havre, held by La Pernelle at 78° only out to 30 km. Total eleven signals for navigational assistance.

Telephone-line difficulties: Navy St Lô–Guernsey line unserviceable; through H. V. [exchange], overloaded with long waits. Direct Radar Reporting Station–3rd Security Division line unserviceable. Call to convoy control could not get through; cumbersome connection via St Lô–St Malo, fault rectified 2345. Alderney radio set unserviceable, transmission by telephone with great delays.

T-1022 Roll 2448, T1022_R2448_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 38122 | Frame 00637 | original page 18
PG 38122 | Frame 00638 | original page 18 verso