11 September 1943

Summary

Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Location Details

Jersey; Guernsey; Alderney; St Malo; Cap de la Hague; Normandy

Diary Entry

11 September 1943 Normandy radar reports concerning the Channel Islands

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-09-11

Wind S–SW3–4, moderate visibility, occasional rain. 2040–2238: La Pernelle radar detects unknown targets which, from speed and wind direction, prove to be false detections, probably thunderclouds. 0410: Following Air Force visual and acoustic report of artillery fire east and engine noise south of Guernsey, Pointe du Grouin, Jersey, Guernsey I and II and Cap Hague II sets ordered to search sector intensively. Alderney radar unreachable by telephone and radio. Sets produced no [continued].

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-09-11

[Continued:] results. Eight locating signals transmitted for navigational assistance to own ship formations. 1155: Air Force Mammut, Cacilie [handwritten correction replacing WR241; name uncertain], detects several surface targets off English coast. Continuous detections at 90–97 km establish definite course. 1240: Locating signal transmitted: several enemy targets in BF2369, course 280°. 1302: Target no longer discernible. 1302: Locating signal: enemy target lost. Own naval sets also employed, without result.

2112: Visual report from 3/344 (Air Force): several surface targets definitely sighted on horizon towards N–NW. Probably about seven targets, likely cruisers and destroyers. 2115: Cap Hague II, Cap Lévy, La Pernelle, WR240 and 241 employed. 2115: Sea Commandant Normandy informed. 2121: Cap Lévy reports enemy irradiation 260° through 0° to 50°. 2125: Cap Hague II enemy irradiation 50–65°. 2130: Group West informed of increased enemy irradiation. 2140: La Pernelle enemy irradiation 45–65°; Group West informed. 2140: Birk reporting head reports unknown target at 30°, carrying unknown radar on 202 MHz; target moving slowly. 2145: Commander of E-boats notified. 2155: Report to Channel Coast Radar Centre. 2205: Report to 3rd Security Division. 2210: St Malo convoy control notified. 2235: Fighter Leader III informed to employ reconnaissance aircraft. 2245: Alderney anti-aircraft unit reports enemy surface target in fighter grid 5–5 RQ. 2245: Locating signal concerning unknown surface target in BF3518 transmitted; subsequent report to Sea Commandant and Fighter Leader III. Sets employed produce no results. 2355: Cap Hague II enemy irradiation 45–75°.

Normandy radar reporting station — 1943-09-11

Supplement to 11 September. 1240: Arromanches sights several ship targets at 360°, about 30 km (BF3649). 1245: Sea Commandants Normandy and Seine–Somme, Wimille Radar Centre, 2nd Security Division and Fighter Leader notified. 1330: Arromanches reports movement of four boats in line ahead, course east, high speed; one craft observed with smoke plume, one separate craft stationary about 5 km astern. 1418: Percée also sights these targets on horizon; excessive distance prevents recognising types. [Hour obscured] 00: Air reconnaissance establishes these are French fishing boats which have gone too far seaward.

Source of Information