29 December 1943

29 December 1943 Detailed investigation of the Sark raid on 27 to 28 December

Secret. To Seventh Army operations and intelligence. The landing probably occurred between midnight and 02:45, almost at the same place as the commando operation of 3–4 October 1942. At 01:10 the strongpoint in the island centre heard five detonations from that direction. The party climbed an approximately fifty-metre cliff on the Petit Château promontory between Derrible and Dixcart Bays, using a doubled rope secured to the rock to overcome a steep section about twenty metres high. The rope was found hanging there. They followed the ridge path to a mine barrier 1.8 metres deep crossing the ridge.

At 09:20 on 28 December, a dead English soldier was found in the barrier. A systematic search found a second, seriously injured, ten to fifteen metres away. He showed weak signs of life and died during evacuation. Six mine craters were visible on the path, one suggesting attempted removal of a mine. Slipping marks in scree and numerous bloodstains on the rocks clearly showed the approach and withdrawal route. Weapons, ammunition and equipment were found at several points.

Both dead men wore British uniforms in good condition, without headgear or rank insignia. Their faces were blackened; they wore black lace-up shoes with rubber soles. Both were about twenty to twenty-two years old, about 1.70 metres tall, slim and strong. Each had carrying equipment with a pouch containing a hand grenade and an incendiary grenade, as illustrated on page 91 of the British Army handbook. One, apparently French, wore an identity disc reading “Dignac Andre 6286-41, R” and carried a small badge with the Cross of Lorraine and “France libre.” Both thighs had been tied with cord, apparently to stop bleeding; there were severe wounds to upper and lower legs. The other had no identity disc, but carried a small amulet pouch with a cross and an English prayer. His ankles were tied together and he had a serious back wound. A two-metre rope with a wooden handle under his arm was probably intended for dragging him.

Neither carried papers.

Recovered equipment: Thompson 1928 submachine gun, 11.4 mm, with seven magazines; two pistol magazines; two daggers; a BC-611-B radio receiver and transmitter with telescopic aerial; wire cutters; a camouflage net; an elongated tubular charge with about ten metres of fuse and three detonators; a pouch containing maps, a saw and francs equivalent to 100 marks, and a compass; seven cellophane cartons with food concentrates; three first-aid packets; petrol lighters and matches [small-item quantities faint]; one climbing rope and two ropes with wooden handles.

T-314 Roll 1604, T314_R1604_English_Translation.docx. 29 December 1943 | Source PDF pages 1301–1302. Selected island-related text; document or report date governs placement.