21 September 1942

21 September 1942 report of the Diamant rescue by the 46th Minesweeping Flotilla

20 September, St Helier, 2250: Message from the signal station: steamer Diamant grounded off the harbour entrance. Harbour protection boats sail immediately to assist. 21 September, 0000: M 4605 and M 4604 sail for salvage work on Diamant, with pilots aboard. Wind west force 6, sea 5, high swell, visibility 5–10 nautical miles, overcast.

Repeated attempts were made to drift towards Diamant while anchored. After several attempts the operation had to be abandoned because of insufficient depth and excessive swell. M 4604 tried to bring inflatable boats to Diamant on a line paid out slowly, to establish contact with the grounded steamer. This attempt was stopped because the Jersey lifeboat had meanwhile secured alongside Diamant. Navigation lights had been requested through St Helier signal station and burned continuously. The unlit buoys were clearly visible. Visibility 8–10 nautical miles.

0200: Diamant gives distress signals. Lifeboats and shallow-draught harbour protection boats take off the crew. 0235: M 4605/04 return after completion of the rescue. 0247: M 4605/04 secured in harbour. Apparently Diamant, approaching from the west, had overshot the harbour entrance leading line. Strong swell and sea from the west, and the wind, made entering more difficult. Times differ from the harbour diary and are retained as reported by this flotilla.

T-1022 Roll 2422, scan 0306. Signed von Bechtolsheim, Kapitänleutnant and flotilla commander. Report covers 20–21 September; no separate report date stated.