28 September 1943 Part 6

28 September 1943 M 4601 report grounding of H 6 S and tank lighter René

Editorial note: This report dates the René and H 6 S grounding to 28 September. The existing Sea Defence Commander account includes a printed 27–28 August date within its September entry. The discrepancy is retained; these accounts do not establish separate groundings.

Left page: authentication of the preceding report by von Bechtolsheim, Korvettenkapitän and flotilla commander.

Copy. M 4601, aboard, 28 September 1943. Commander's report on casualty of tug H 6 S and tank lighter René.

07:35: weighed anchor; René had dragged from her anchorage. 07:40: René fired a distress signal. 07:41: M 4601 proceeded to René and established a tow. 08:00: towed René into the fairway. 08:55: tow broke while turning into the leading line. Meanwhile H 6 S came out of harbour and took René in tow. Shortly afterwards Guêpe 76 joined.

While making the tow connection, H 6 S fouled her propeller with the towline. H 6 S and René drifted toward the rocks. M 4601 tried to approach, but could no longer do so because they were already too close to the rocks. Guêpe 76 also attempted to approach, succeeding only after several attempts. After some time a tow was established; it broke after about five minutes. René and H 6 S then drifted onto the rocks. Their crews were taken aboard an English lifeboat. M 4601 then entered Saint Helier and secured at Albert Pier at 10:40. Signed Jonas, Obersteuermann and commander. Certified correct [signature].

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 503 | Source PDF scans 503.