23 October 1944
Summary
Coastal battery firing or engagement. Air or sea observations. Shipping and convoy movements
Location Details
St Helier; Minquiers; Maîtresse Island; Battery Blücher; Battery Annes
Diary Entry
Continuation: 22 October and early 23 October 1944
22:48
Battery Blücher fired one salvo at the radar target. The target turned onto an easterly course and increased speed from 10 to 23 knots. Fire ceased when the radar station lost the target. The guns of Batteries Annes and Blücher remained loaded. Ammunition expenditure: three rounds, 15 cm Kan.Gr. 18 Az.
Enemy occupation of the Minquiers, with the resulting ability to observe the departure route from St Helier, constituted an immediate threat to the important supply convoys within the Channel Islands. In view of future plans, it was also considered essential to exploit the favourable observation opportunities afforded by the islands’ advanced position. The head of Channel Islands Convoy Control was therefore ordered to reoccupy Maîtresse Island with an observation post and radio station as soon as possible.
Source of Information
T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 37998, Commander of Sea Defences, Channel Islands. Source scan 0017 — original page 209