5 January 1944

5 January 1944 Higher command comments on navigation and convoy formations

Secret. Commander of Security Forces West, G 16260 A5, 5 January 1944. To Naval High Command, Naval War Staff; copies to 3rd Security Division and 46th Minesweeping Flotilla. Enclosed Groups A/B/C diary, 1–15 November, engineering section and division comments.

1. Group A, 3 November 01:08–03:55: this command also considers Group A stood substantially farther west during reported sweeping than assumed or plotted in its sketch.

2. Mine finds 3, 6 and 10 November: EFA minefield protected by anti-sweeping buoys. EFA mines failed to detonate when swept because wedge on disarming plate was missing, as established from mines washed ashore and recovered.

4. M 4613, 11 November 23:10: with larger convoys, keeping vessels together is most important. All escorted craft in Channel Islands traffic carry anti-aircraft weapons, making hedgehog formation best for defence. Three columns with tug and lighter in middle would have been preferable.

Additional instruction to division/flotilla: endorse division's criticism of escort dispositions. Errors suggest commanders insufficiently instructed in formation principles; flotilla commander to provide appropriate instruction. For Commander of Security Forces West, acting Chief of Staff [signature]. Scan 608 contains routing/receipt markings, no additional operational text.

T-1022 Roll 3129, 46th Minesweeping Flotilla and reviewing commands. Supplied English translation T1022_R3129_English_Translation.docx. Record 606b | Source PDF scans 606, 607, 608.