31 August 1943 Part 2

31 August 1943 Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-08-31

Wind W–NW3–4, good visibility, sea 3–4, occasional rain. 0010–0023: Normandy radar-interception service tracks enemy radar carrier, probably fighter-bomber, departing via BF3513, 3521, 3522, 3523 and 3197.

0205: Air Force Goldfisch set on Guernsey reports through Fighter Leader 3 that unknown targets detected in fighter grid R. O. 9–5. Detections proceed via grid R. O. into S. P. 0206: Radio message to Guernsey I and II radars: intensively search sector at long range. 0208: St Malo convoy control and Sea Commandant Normandy informed. 0210: Group West informed. 0215: Sea Commandant Channel Islands informed and battle communications established. 0218: Guernsey II radios target detected in BF2665. 0228: Locating signal concerning unknown target in BF2665 transmitted. 0230: Commander of E-boats informed.

Further radio reports from Guernsey II radar and Air Force W310 give detections according to which target approaches Guernsey via BF2669. New locating signal concerning hostile target transmitted after fourth fix, with course and speed. [Marginal note: too detailed.]

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-08-31

WR310 provides further detections with elevation angle: height about 150 m. Target moving southeast with wind. 0249: Supplement to 0242 signal: target probably with barrage balloon. 0250: Further discussion with Group West watch officer. 0255: Discussion with Sea Commandant Channel Islands’ watch officer; Guernsey searchlights cannot find target. Further detections from Guernsey II and WR310 show target drifting over Sark in BF3571. 0305: Further discussion with Channel Islands watch officer: course, height and wind direction prove conclusively that this is drifting barrage balloon. 0308: Radio message in clear: enemy detections off Guernsey = drifting barrage balloon. [Marginal note: Why? That is impossible.] Further balloon detections by Jersey radar. 0325: Sea Commandant Normandy informed of balloon’s position. 0340: Jersey loses target; Air Force sets continue tracking it. One additional locating signal transmitted for navigational assistance to own ship formations.

In addition, during past month leader of St Malo convoy control and various commanding officers of 2nd Patrol-Boat Flotilla and 46th Minesweeper Flotilla repeatedly called at Normandy Radar Centre and exchanged experience of locating signals for navigational assistance and air-danger signals. On several days individual commanding officers made Epsilon comparisons, which in every case confirmed correct position. Cooperation with aforementioned formations is good. [Marginal note: essential.]

Closed 31 August 1943. For the head, [signature, possibly Wesemann].

T-1022 Roll 2448, T1022_R2448_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 38122 | Frame 00620 | original page 6 verso
PG 38122 | Frame 00621 | original page 7