3 August 1944

3 August 1944

The command examined whether Channel Islands supply traffic could be diverted after the loss of Granville and the threatened closure of St Malo. Brest was considered as an emergency base, but the route was longer, more exposed and dependent on scarce escort craft. Orders concerning harbour demolitions and the retention of loading facilities therefore attempted to preserve the possibility of limited island traffic for as long as possible.

At the request of Army Coastal Artillery Regiment Staff 1266, Battery Ile de Cezembre fired 51 rounds of 19.4 cm ammunition at resistance forces south of St Cast who had surrounded German troops; the diary states that the fire ceased. At 15:06 the battery fired a further two-salvo concentration, using nine rounds, to prepare a German infantry attack.

Roll 4009, PG 37596, scans 0110–0115.
Roll 2424, PG 38004, scan 0914 (St Malo Harbour Commandant War Diary). German descriptions and claims are translated as recorded and are not independently confirmed.