24 August 1943 Part 7

24 August 1943 Division assessment of the aircraft encounter on

Secret. Commander, 3rd Security Division, 24 August 1943. Reference G 5746 AIII. To Commander of Security Forces West. Subject: engagement of Group C, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla, with enemy bomber on 31 July 1943. Reference: flotilla G 2758 of 5 August 1943. Two enclosures.

The combat report of the 46th Minesweeping Flotilla concerning Group C's engagement with an enemy bomber on 31 July is submitted in one copy, with the flotilla commander's comments.

Division commander's comments: the engine noises heard at 01:40 could have come from a motor torpedo boat lying in wait and then departing at high speed. Equally, a low-flying aircraft descending with its engine switched off could have created the impression of a seaplane taking off. It is not considered here that enemy aircraft alight on the sea at night in the Channel Islands area to operate as radar platforms, since navigational considerations alone would give the enemy no advantage from doing so.

The aircraft attack at 01:48 certainly followed prior detection, and timely, effective use of weapons defeated it. No aircraft shot down was reported or established. Signed Bergelt.

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 433 | Source PDF scans 433.