28 December 1943 Part 2

28 December 1943 Initial report of the commando landing on Sark

Secret message to Seventh Army. According to 319th Division, an English raiding party of unknown strength landed under difficult terrain conditions on the rocky point of Petit Château between Dixcart and Derrible Bays, using the same route as the previous year. It entered a minefield running across the promontory. After daylight, two soldiers were recovered with difficulty; one was still alive when found but died shortly afterwards. One was French, wearing a uniform with the Cross of Lorraine and the words “France libre.” Besides numerous equipment items, a field radio, an American submachine gun, ammunition and an elongated explosive charge were found.

Immediately after the mine explosions, combat readiness was ordered and strong patrols with illuminating equipment were sent out, probably causing the raiders’ rapid withdrawal. Engine noise was heard only as they departed. The garrison knew that German minesweepers were clearing between Jersey and Guernsey. No immediate divisional report was made because the presence of Englishmen ashore was established only after engineers searched the minefields; until then the explosions and engine noise had been attributed to the minesweepers. Inquiries were to be completed before reporting. Corps has criticized the division for failing to report immediately regardless. Details will follow through intelligence channels.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 28 December 1943 | Source PDF pages 1299–1300. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.