29 August 1943 Part 9

29 August 1943 Jonas report on the loss of lighter Mazagan

Copy. 46th Minesweeping Flotilla, boat M 4601. Operational location, 29 August 1943. Report on the loss of the lighter Mazagan.

On 28 August at 17:30 sailed from Saint-Malo via Granville for Jersey under Boat Order 461. Took over convoy off Granville at 21:30. Wind WSW 3–4, sea 2–3, cruising speed 5 knots. About 22:30 freshening strongly; wind and sea increasing. At 23:00 wind WSW 5–6, sea 4. At 23:30 passed Minquiers buoy; WSW 6, sea 4–5, visibility intermittently poor in rain squalls. At 24:00 WSW 6, sea 4–5. Had to proceed slowly, otherwise convoy became strung out.

00:00, lighter Tourane: please send me an escort boat; I cannot make headway against the wind. 00:03, to M 4605 [boat number indistinct]: remain with Tourane to assist. 00:04 [minute faint], Tourane: I have anchored. At 01:45 Demie des Pas abeam. After passing the light-and-bell buoy Hinguette, stopped and released convoy. M 4601 to all: lighters and coastal motor vessels enter; steamers anchor in Saint Aubin's Bay.

About 02:00, Mazagan asks whether she may enter. M 4601 replies: please enter. Mazagan altered course to starboard and was not observed further. M 4601 proceeded westward into Saint Aubin's Bay to provide anti-aircraft protection for the anchored convoy.

At 02:12 distress signals were fired and SOS signalled. Altered course toward the presumed casualty and approached slowly. Meanwhile the harbour-protection boats came out. To avoid collisions and being driven onto a rock by the strong west wind, it was necessary to turn away. M 4601 waited near the casualty. A Morse message from Mazagan reported she was free again. M 4601 then anchored in Saint Aubin's Bay. No Morse request was made to the escorts to provide towing services. At 06:55 weighed anchor and entered Saint Helier with the rest of the convoy. Signed Jonas, Obersteuermann, acting group commander. Certified correct: Oberleutnant zur See, first adjutant. Scan 474 is an otherwise blank numbered page.

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 473 | Source PDF scans 473, 474.