31 December 1944 Part 9

Organisational note: escort and outpost forces

As a result of the posting home of Kapitän zur See der Reserve Lensch, on 18 December the Escort Office, Channel Islands, and the command of the 2nd Outpost Flotilla were dissolved.

After severe losses in the invasion fighting, the flotilla’s A Group comprised only the two fully serviceable fishing steamers V 204 and V 214. V 203 had been placed out of service at St Helier because of damage from the air attack of 24 July—exhaust-steam turbine and shafting. V 215, a very old and small French fishing steamer formerly belonging to the Brest Outpost Flotilla, had subsequently joined A Group.

A considerable part of the K.F.K.s of B Group had proceeded from its operational base at Morlaix under its leader, Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Pluns, to Brest and thence to Lorient, or had remained in the eastern Channel. In the Channel Islands area there remained only V 228, V 229 and the vessel F.L. 13 left there by the Harbour Defence Flotilla.

The Hummer boats of C Group, under their leader Oberleutnant zur See der Reserve Brusgatis, had all but two proceeded from Lézardrieux to Brest and were then transferred to the southern ports.

A Group is now assigned to A Group of the 46th Minesweeper Flotilla; V 215 is again being placed out of service because of its low speed.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0161 — original page 330