24 February 1943 Part 1

24 February 1943 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

Weather: wind 180°, 3 m/sec. Army Coast Artillery Battalion 722 (H.K.A.A. 722) reported at 04:15 that engine noises at sea had been heard from Guernsey between 03:15 and 03:30 in a south-westerly direction, in grid square B.F. 2695. They were believed to be E-boats. At approximately 04:30 the noises grew louder and approached the island.

No friendly E-boats had been reported, while German minesweepers travelling from Cherbourg to St Malo were then between Guernsey and Jersey. The following wireless message was therefore transmitted on K.L.W.: ‘Suspicious engine noises at sea in grid square B.F. 2695, probably E-boats. No friendly E-boats reported.’ The message was also sent to the Commanding Admiral, Channel Coast, and the Guernsey Artillery Group was ordered to exercise heightened vigilance.

Because of the shortage of harbour-protection boats, positions 9 and 11 could not be manned during the night of 24/25 February.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37997, scan 0602.