5 December 1944 Part 13

Continuation: 5 December 1944; plans for 6 December

19:30

From 22:30 until further notice, lights and firing at aerial targets were prohibited, except in the event of an attack by enemy aircraft. The measure was intended to protect a supply aircraft expected from 23:30.

Convoy Order No. 11:

1. M 4613 and F.L. 13 are to escort Tonkin from Jersey to Guernsey at 11:30 on 6 December. Convoy leader: commanding officer of M 4613.

2. A.F. 71 is to leave Guernsey at 10:30 for Point 14, take over the convoy and return with it.

3. A.F. 65 is to reinforce the escort under item 1 until the handover under item 2, and then return to Jersey.

4. From 11:30, A.F. 68 is to remain at immediate readiness in St Helier as distant cover for items 1 and 3. Naval Commander, Channel Islands, Gkdos. 1364 A I.

A supply voyage by two F.K. boats to Sark was planned for 10:00 on 6 December.

The purposes of my visit to Jersey were: to visit the naval forces based there and address their men; to review continued officer training after the Chief of Convoy Control and commander of the 2nd Outpost Flotilla, Kapitän zur See Lensch, had been reassigned; and to discuss necessary organisational changes.

These changes included dissolving the mine-sweeping detachment of the 2nd Outpost Flotilla, reassigning naval mine-sweeping officers on Jersey, implementing the new air-defence organisation ordered for Jersey, reorganising merchant vessels, lighterage formations and boarding personnel, and discussing the Harbour Commander's emergency measures following the loss of the E-works, maintenance of naval forces and merchant shipping, and fuel-saving measures.

I also intended to inspect the newly established Army coastal batteries 13/– and 14/1265 and the new naval radar station in the east (see War Diary, 11 August 1944); introduce the new commander of Battery Lothringen; and settle unresolved disputes with the Fortress Commander, Jersey, and the Naval Artillery Commander, Jersey.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0109 — original page 281