14 April 1943

14 April 1943 Channel Islands Sea Defence diary

Weather: wind 315°, 2 m/sec. From 17:15 to 17:27, Batterie Lothringen conducted a daylight practice run, firing 44 rounds 15-cm practice shells with service cartridges. From 22:46 to 23:00, it conducted night firing, expending 29 rounds 15-cm practice shells with practice cartridges and 25 rounds 15-cm illuminating shell.

A new Channel Islands S.B. plan, transmitted with Naval Group West top-secret order No. 350 D.V. of 3 April 1943, arrived at midday on 14 April and took effect on 15 April. It incorrectly directed that the measures to be requested from the Sea Commander, Channel Islands, except item 4, should be requested from the Sea Commander, Normandy. Following a telephone report to Group West, the error was corrected by wartime teleprinter message at about 1800 on 14 April. Sending these requests to Normandy could delay or entirely prevent the showing of the ordered navigation lights.

T-1022 Roll 2422, PG 37997, scans 0621.