4 July 1944

4 July 1944

From 02:57 to 03:09 the Alderney Artillery Group engaged a radar-located destroyer three to four nautical miles west of Cap de la Hague. The vessel withdrew at maximum speed while changing course. No hit was observed. [T-1022/2174, PG 38470, scans 0668 and 0674]

At 01:18 Minotaure, approaching from Jersey about ten nautical miles off St Malo, was attacked by S-boats and hit by torpedoes in the bow and stern. The badly damaged vessel was towed into St Malo Roads and beached. The Harbour Commandant added that Minotaure carried about 500 passengers, including women, and that escort boats V 208 and V 210 were lost.

Two fighter-bomber attacks were also recorded against St Malo and the St Servan basin. RO 8 was lightly damaged between the bridge and funnel, with two men seriously wounded. Hospital ship Hixter suffered larger fires amidships and aft; RO 8 was damaged and set alight around the bridge and amidships; the minelayer Augustin Fresnel was hit in the side and damaged forward. All remained afloat but were expected to be out of service for some time.

Sources: Roll 2424, PG 38004, scans 0897 and 0904.

T-1022 Rolls 2174–2175, Admiral Channel Coast. Source section in Version 1.74.