15 January 1943

15 January 1943 Enemy intelligence bulletin 1

3. Enemy air activity: enemy aircraft repeatedly overflew the coastal area, particularly the sector between the Vire and Orne estuaries and the Channel Islands. On 4 January at 20:08 an enemy aircraft attacked the Paris–Cherbourg express near Moult, 24 kilometres southeast of Caen, hitting three French railway officials. On 6 January between 14:40 and 14:50 two British fighters strafed a level crossing and goods train on the Bayeux–Caen line. The locomotive was put out of action; the driver and fireman were seriously injured. On 8 January at 15:30 a Boeing aircraft flying over Guernsey with five others was hit in the tail by antiaircraft fire. On 12 January at 21:30 a four-engined enemy aircraft probably laid mines in the sea south of Saint Helier harbour, Jersey. At noon on 15 January twelve fighters and sixteen bombers attacked Cherbourg. Despite strong antiaircraft defence, five bombs were dropped. One hit a motor torpedo boat barrack building, causing slight material damage.

Translation note: This retrospective bulletin gives forty-six artillery rounds on 6 January; the daily report gives thirty-six. Both readings are retained.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 15 January 1943 | Source PDF pages 98. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.