13 May 1943

13 May 1943 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

Weather: wind 270°, 5 m/sec. The Alderney radar set was operational again.

The falling wooden tower and its water tank had destroyed the radar lattice structure, reflector, reflector support and crosspiece, and severed the oil pipes to the elevation motor and the cables. Acting equipment chief Obermaat Conrads immediately set about repairs using local resources. A reflector was made from timber he procured; the dipoles were straightened and attached to it. The wooden reflector was mounted on the housing head and wedged in place. The oil pipes and cables were repaired. The diary credits Conrads with restoring the set to readiness in a very short time. Installing a replacement would take a long time, and the loss of a station as far forward as Alderney would seriously disadvantage the Channel Islands command.

Subsequent undated assessment of the damage on 8 May (scan 0638, registry 1432/43): the acting equipment chief’s exemplary work restored operational capability, though with reduced performance. Replacement was envisaged by 2. F.M.A.; no date could yet be given, and acceleration was requested. Obermaat Conrads’s excellent performance was recognised in the daily order. Signed for the Commanding Admiral, Channel Coast, by the Chief of Staff [signature not securely read]. This assessment follows the repair account here; its own date is not stated.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37997, scans 0634, 0638.