8 November 1944 Part 19

8 November 1944 Jersey convoy assistance and rescue of V 228

Editorial note: The existing Sea Defence diary places the corresponding rescue on 7–8 November; this flotilla diary and its logs give 8–9 November, also supported by the dated radio extract. Both chronologies are retained as a discrepancy, not two separate rescues. Times, drift directions and the tug name also differ: this source reads Dielsand, while earlier entries use Dicksand and related spellings.

8 November, St Helier–sea. Northwesterly force 5–6, sea state 5, moderate visibility. M 412 and M 452 had immediate readiness with one boiler for the convoy coming from Guernsey to Jersey. Readiness was cancelled at about 1045. On receipt of a report that a lighter and two KFK patrol cutters were in distress, immediate readiness was ordered again; sailed at 1115. The strong westerly wind drove M 412 across to the other side of the harbour basin, where a submerged mooring line of the fishing steamers fouled its propeller.

M 452, with the Flotilla Commander aboard, passed the mole head at 1120. The radio station had been switched off for a long time to economise, and the radio installation had been provisionally repaired after the last action. The main fuse of the transmitter consequently blew, and no radio messages could be sent. It was therefore impossible to report our actions and positions in response to contradictory control orders from two authorities.

1155: Took over Saigon and Tourane one mile west of Corbière; because of the sea conditions they were taken in tow, without sighting the remainder of the convoy. Entered St Helier at 1345 with M 452 providing escort at close range because the sea was increasing. M 412, which had sailed from St Helier at 1315 after clearing its propeller and was approaching us, was sent farther west to assist the convoy; it entered again with the convoy at about 1600.

On receipt of a fresh order to assist V 228 near Les Landes, M 452 sailed again at 1540. Under exceptionally difficult seamanship conditions and with darkness falling, a tow was established off the cliffs of Les Landes after several unsuccessful attempts. When the towline parted at about 2000 near Corbière, the rising tide, sea and darkness carried the towed vessel more than four miles eastward before the connection could be re-established and the boat brought in with the assistance of a harbour tug. M 412 secured at St Helier at 1606.

Translator’s note: The account and its logbook extract differ slightly in times and in the description of the drift; their individual wording is preserved. The words concerning the initial tow are faint.

T-1022 Roll 3252, 24th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3252_English_Translation.docx. 1 November 1944 | Entry 0013 | Source PDF pages 13–14. Selected island-related extract; the date above identifies the event or later report, while the source reference may identify the start of its diary period.