5 December 1944 Part 1

Secret command communications: paragraphs 1–3

Marine Communications Service. SECRET COMMAND MATTER. Teleprinter references 1138, 1142, 1153, 1224, 1256, 1315 and 1342 of 5 December [1944].

1. The request made by FT 0315/15 for S-boat torpedoes and small combat equipment to be flown in — see War Diary, 15 November, page 248 — was answered by Naval High Command West in FT 0118/KKW: examination of the means of transporting small combat equipment produced a negative result. Transporting an operational unit would require twelve to fifteen transfer flights by a slow large aircraft with high fuel consumption. Primitive small combat devices offered prospects of success only against stationary targets at night or dusk. Examination of the means of supplying S-boat torpedoes was continuing.

2. FT 1958/19 to Naval High Command West: for the preparation of the next mining operation by S 112, examine making serviceable again the eleven British aerial mines recovered at spring low water during recent months. They were at present incorporated into the harbour barrage, partly as replacements for three LMF mines that had been restored to service and used during S 112’s operation on 14 November. A prerequisite was the complete restoration of the fuzing mechanism. An attempt was also to be made to recover the three mines still lying out, after rendering them safe, and prepare them for service. One of these was recovered on 16 November.

3. FT 2129/22 to Naval High Command West, referring to FT 2027/17: Captain Meyer’s intentions concerned proposals already under consideration for some time from the Chief of the 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, Leutnant zur See der Reserve Brütt and Leutnant zur See der Reserve Ertel. A coastal motor vessel, a KFK, or a fishing trawler that could be recognised as German as little as possible was to break out through the Denmark Strait or by way of the Faroes to Norway, and subsequently bring a supply vessel here for fat and soap supplies. The principal difficulties were: (1) the unknown surveillance of the England–Brest convoy route; and (2) the demand upon our own fuel reserves. The situation regarding a resumption of the U-boat war was important. I considered getting a vessel out of the Channel Islands area difficult, but not impossible.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0080