24 April 1943 Part 1

24 April 1943 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

No special occurrences.

Batterie Mirus: Organisation Todt continued the work begun during the preceding week. Progress on construction by battery personnel was slowed by difficulty in bringing in the necessary materials.

Batterie Strasbourg: lighting circuits were laid in the new fire-control post and its floor was almost completed with cement slabs. Embankment work at the new post and cabling of the lighting circuits between the individual bunkers began. Battery personnel continued the ammunition-trolley tracks and splinter protection at No. 4 gun.

Batterie Steinbruch: Organisation Todt poured the base slab of the ammunition bunker and continued work on the cable trench. Earth was removed to improve the field of fire at No. 4 gun and the field of view from the fire-control post. Naval Artillery Equipment and Zeiss personnel installed the rangefinder and two direction indicators in the main fire-control post. Ceiling shuttering was installed in the combined galley building. Battery personnel established NCO quarters within the battery grounds, fitted out a carpenter's workshop and continued construction of the communal barrack.

Batterie Lothringen: searchlight B was relocated. Water tanks for the strongpoint reserve were installed, the ammunition was reworked and re-stowed, and splinter protection at all four guns was strengthened.

Naval Artillery Battalion 605 — Batterie Annes, Organisation Todt work: the base slabs of the machinery bunker and ammunition replenishment bunker I were poured. Excavation for the fire-control cable began, together with levelling and embankment work. Battery personnel strengthened the wire obstacle, began excavating for a washing and decontamination barrack and further developed the anti-aircraft positions.

The retrospective account under 19 April records that the 46th Minesweeping Flotilla detonated a third mine in the Little Russel, at 49°29.6′ N, 2°29.3′ W, in 19 metres of water.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37997, scans 0624–0626.