14 December 1943

14 December 1943 Division comments on 1 15 November diary

Secret. Commander, 3rd Security Division, 14 December 1943, G 8613 AII. To Commander of Security Forces West, two copies; copy to 46th Minesweeping Flotilla. Diary enclosed, engineering section in duplicate.

Group A, 3 November 01:08–03:25: 46th Flotilla was far from Heart Route, where radar also detected it. All mine finds therefore in BF 3574 upper left corner. Enemy motor torpedo boats detected there during night 1/2 November. The alleged mine positions on Heart Route were crossed later the same night by 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla without finding anything. 3 November 03:40: lookout was deplorable; 2nd Flotilla requested recognition before IG firing but received no answer. We do not share flotilla commander's confidence in navigation accuracy on 3 November. All other comments endorsed.

Group B, 1 November 22:50: formation completely pointless. Tug should have followed leader, allowing V 203 to move from astern onto threatened flank. Contribution 1, 10 November 22:00: formation apparently chosen against motor torpedo attack expected from starboard. Nearby coast on port side does not justify assuming no attack from that side. Buoy tender poorly protected to port, especially against aircraft; should have followed M 4610. No weather particulars given for night 10/11 November.

Group B contribution 2, 11 November 23:10: merchant vessels should have proceeded in double line ahead. Group C, 1 November 20:09: M 4601 should have been farther astern. 2 November 19:00: protected vessel again exposed on starboard; should follow leader/guide. 3 November 23:05: with many escort boats, leader belongs centrally, toward threatened side, a separate guide ahead; these are established rules. 5 November 01:10: same applies. 9 November 21:15: lone merchant vessel could have been better protected by two boats on each side, forward and aft, one guide ahead, one astern and seventh reinforcing threatened side. 11 November 01:35: same as 3 November. In commander's absence, First Naval Staff Officer [signature].

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 605 | Source PDF scans 605, 606.