24 January 1943 Part 1

24–28 January 1943 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

24–28 January: no special events. Weather not entered for this grouped period.

Present condition of the Channel Islands Harbour Protection Flotilla: of its twenty-eight boats, nine are currently operational. Its courier group is completely out of action, making courier traffic by harbour protection boats impossible. The nine boats fit to sail are just sufficient to man the guard positions. There are no reserves; further failures would prevent all guard positions being manned.

The principal causes of this untenable situation are the boats’ continued employment, in some cases for years, without the possibility of a major overhaul, and inadequate repair facilities. Unless remedied, their condition must deteriorate further as continuous operations continue.

Signed Steinbach.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37997, scan 0589.