19 July 1944

19 July 1944 Assessment of the blockade of Channel Islands supplies

Editorial note: Placed under the covering comments dated 19 July 1944; the quoted operational assessment concerns 18 June 1944.

Secret command matter. Admiral Atlantic Coast, Command Staff. Reference secret command matter 1024/44 AI. Headquarters, 19 July 1944. Two copies; copy no. 1. To Naval Group Command West, Command Staff (two copies). Subject: War diary of Sea Commander Brittany, 16–30 June 1944.

3. 18 June 1944, 1827: It is to be assumed that the night contacts at sea north of Île de Batz and the afternoon movements of enemy naval forces north of Paimpol, which led to an enemy cruiser being fired upon, are connected. If mines were swept there, as I suspect, this may indicate further invasion intentions against the Bay of St Brieuc towards St Malo or Brest, after the failure to achieve a quick success in the Bay of the Seine. I consider a blockade against German naval forces coming from the west unlikely here, since German movements by day could hardly be expected.

The repeated attacks with relatively small forces on the equipment at Le Conquet and St Mathieu could be interpreted as diversions, possibly also a raid on Ouessant, although such a raid is not really understandable. I shall alert the island commandant of Ouessant to this possibility.

These are the Sea Commander's reflections on the events of the afternoon of 18 June.

Comment by Admiral Atlantic Coast: The Sea Commander's opinion is not shared. In our view, the enemy naval forces are being employed to watch the sea area and prevent supply transports entering the Channel Islands, and possibly also to prevent U-boats entering. No raid on Ouessant is currently expected.

T-1022 Roll 2439, T1022_R2439_English_Translation.docx. Archive and frame references follow.
PG 37951 | PG 37951 | frame 00529