German R-type minesweepers operating near the coast of occupied France.
1945. Vice-Admiral Huffmeier decorates Germans involved in the raid on Granville
There were actually two main raids on Grainville after the
port had fallen in August of 1944, the first being on February 6th-7th, 1945,
and the second one month later on March 8th, 1945. The last raid took place
more than 500 miles behind enemy lines, and two months before the Third Reich
would surrender to the Allies!
For the first raid,
the following units took part:
8 Heer assault detachments from the occupation forces of the
Channel Islands (mainly the 319.Infanterie-Division) consisting of 9 officers
and 148 men.
2 Kriegsmarine naval detachments with 1 officer and 20 men.
As well as the following naval vessels:
S112, a fast motor torpedo boat or Schnelleboot
M412, a M 40 Class minesweepers of the 24.Minesuchflottile
M432, a M 40 Class minesweepers of the 24.Minesuchflottile
M442, a M 40 Class minesweepers of the 24.Minesuchflottile
M452, a M 40 Class minesweepers of the 24.Minesuchflottile
2 auxiliary minesweepers of the 46.Minesuchflottille and
2.Vorpostenflottile
AF65, an "artillery carrier" or
Artillerie-Träger" of the 46.Minesuchflottille and 2.Vorpostenflottile
AF68, an "artillery carrier" or
Artillerie-Träger" of the 46.Minesuchflottille and 2.Vorpostenflottile
AF71, an "artillery carrier" or
Artillerie-Träger" of the 46.Minesuchflottille and 2.Vorpostenflottile
V228, a KFK (Kriegsfischerkutter) of the
2.Vorpostenflottille
V229, a KFK (Kriegsfischerkutter) of the
2.Vorpostenflottille
FK01, a "Harbor Protection Vessel" or
Hafenschutzboot of the Hafenschutzflottille Kanalinseln
FK04, a "Harbor Protection Vessel" or
Hafenschutzboot of the Hafenschutzflottille Kanalinseln
FK56, a "Harbor Protection Vessel" or
Hafenschutzboot of the Hafenschutzflottille Kanalinseln
FK60, a "Harbor Protection Vessel" or
Hafenschutzboot, in this case a captured Allied LCV(P) of the
Hafenschutzflottille Kanalinseln
For the second raid,
the following units took part:
8 Heer assault detachments consisting of 10 officers and 148
men.
3 Kriegsmarine assault groups consisting of 2 officers and
34 men.
1 Luftwaffe flak crew of 6 men.
As well as the following naval vessels:
M412
M452
M432
M442
AF65
AF68
AF71
FK01
FK04
FK56
M4613
FL13
The Germans in fact never captured the load of coal they
were hoping for, although they did manage to take some back, and Eisenhower was
not in the town at the time of either raid. SHAEF HQ was located about 5 miles
to the south of Granville the previous September, but that was as close as they
came to Eisenhower during either raid!
The Granville Raid by Jack Yeatman
HMS "Pearl", an Asdic Trawler based at Plymouth, was one of the three
warships which "liberated" the Channel Islands 60 years ago. I wasn't
aboard then, having been transferred to the Army in April. The Army
needed trained wireless operators for the invasion of Japan -so we
DIDN'T celebrate VE Day ! "Saved by the Bomb" though !
The stories coming out concerning the Channel Islands however, do
not include any reference to a quite remarkable story, of which, if our
chaps had been the "heroes", we'd still be showing the film ! I, for
one, would very much like to meet any of the Germans who took part.
The Granville Raid - March 9th. 1945
[Extracts from " German Occupation of the Channel Islands" - Charles
Cruikshank, and the diary of Jack Yeatman, O/Tel. in HMS "Pearl",
Royal Naval Patrol Service ]
Just before Christmas 1944 a Naval Assault Troop cadet and four
paratroopers, captured at Brest, escaped from an American
prisoner-of-war camp at Granville. They attached themselves to a working
party in the harbour area, passing themselves off as interpreters, and
slipped away under cover of darkness to an American landing-craft which
they contrived to take out on the evening tide. With only a pocket
compass and a sketch-map to guide them, they reached Maitress Ile in the
Minquiers group, where the German observation post first fired on them,
and then, when their identity had been established, directed them to
St.Helier.
They reported that the harbour at Granville was in full operation.
There were usually about five ships there, most of them discharging
coal. (These ships came over in a convoy from Falmouth every other
night, escorted by one Escort Trawler of the Plymouth Command Auxiliary
Patrol. A USPC - a large American Motor Patrol Boat - was also
stationed at Granville, usually anchored outside the tidal harbour.
JY.)
A battalion of the United States Army was billeted on the hill
overlooking the harbour, there was a signal station on the south pier,
and a radar station on the coast a short distance to the north.
Von Schmettow ....... decided to seize the chance of hitting back at
the enemy, and incidentally raising the morale of his own men, which
was suffering almost as much from lack of action as from lack of food.
The plan was to put Granville Harbour out of action, to capture a coal
ship to help the desperate fuel situation in the Channel Islands, and to
destroy the rest of the shipping. It was calculated that all this could
be achieved if the port was held for an hour.
The escaped prisoners-of-war were treated as heroes. They were
sent back to Germany at the beginning of 1945, but sadly their 'plane
was picked up by a night-fighter and shot down near Bastogne. Admiral
Krancke .... decided that the operation had a good chance of success,
since the observation post on the Minquiers could keep a close watch on
traffic into Granville, and agreed that it should go ahead.
The assault was planned for the night of 6/7 February, but the
weather was rough, there was thick fog, and the convoy was recalled soon
after it had left St.Helier. One tug and three patrol boats failed to
receive the signal. The tug proceeded according to plan to the entrance
of Granville Harbour, and the patrol boats went so close inshore that
they could hear music from the Hotel des Bains. But before the men could
disembark they realized that the rest of the assault fleet was missing
and hastily withdrew.
[Extract from diary -
Wed. Feb.7th.
Arrived off Granville at 1500 . Harbour full.
1700. Our USPC friend came out and announced that she'd seen an
E-boat last night, so we have to do a patrol from sunset to sunrise.
The E-boat must have come from the Channel Isles, only a few miles
away. There's still a German garrison there, but completely cut off, so
I don't suppose anyone thinks it worth bothering about. They must be
out of spares and fuel too. We advised the Yanks to leave it alone if
they saw it again, but they're very keen to get it. Told us all about
their radar-controlled gun etc. We tried to point out that they
haven't any experience - a lot of their lads have only now seen the
sea ! - and the Germans have plenty, but they don't go anything on
that. We all hope it stays in port while we' re patrolling, anyway !
Went out on patrol at 1800. JY]
The next month was spent perfecting the plan. There was no dearth
of volunteers - anything was welcome after months of idleness and
inadequate rations. Most of the ships had been laid up at St.Helier for
some months. They included six minesweepers, the masts of which had
been removed to present a smaller target to Allied radar, three
artillery carriers, two converted landing-craft, three motor torpedo
boats (E-boats. JY.) and a number of smaller craft. They were manned
by 600 men, and in addition there were 70 infantry and engineers to
destroy the port installations and, with the help of 7 Luftwaffe men
armed with light anti-aircraft weapons, to hold back the Americans; 8
naval ratings to blow up the vessels in the port; 12 to destroy the
radar station; and another 12 to take any prizes back to Jersey. 25
infantrymen were to create a diversion by attacking the Hotel des Bains
(A "rest" hotel for high-ranking American officers. JY) to the north of
the harbour.
In March the weather
became favourable, and at the end of the first week Maitresse Ile
reported that a number of Allied ships were heading for Granville.
[Diary extract -
Wed. Mar 7th.
Dull, calm. Arrived off Morlaix River at 0915. Our ship had
already sailed, so we headed back for Plymouth. Great activity at
Carantec - the Americans are transferring their base to Granville and
shifting everything moveable. A string of small craft, fishing boats,
tugs with strings of pontoons and barges etc. were coming out, with a PC
escort. Just after midday, received a signal from Plymouth diverting
us to Granville, so turned back. At 1700, sighted one of the
aforementioned tugs with 3 pontoons, broken down and drifting, looking
very lonely. Apparently they had dropped behind and the escorting PC
hadn't noticed ! Speaks well for U.S. Navy escort !! I know we've
mislaid ships at times, but not in flat calm and broad daylight ! Since
they had no means of communication they just had to wait till something
came along. Just as well we were diverted after all. Took the whole
lot in tow and headed back to Morlaix at 3 knots. Wirelessed Granville
about their "lost sheep".
Thurs. Mar. 8th.
Fine, calm. Disposed of tug etc. off Carantec at 0930 and headed
for Granville - a day late ! Anchored off Pointe du Roc at 1930. 1
ship - the " Gem" - anchored, rest coming out later. USPC 564 out on
patrol - all quiet.
2350. PC reports 3 contacts approaching Granville - "Action stations" ! JY.]
The assault force set off from St Helier after dark on the evening
of 8 March. When they reached Granville at 1.0 am they saw that the
harbour lights were burning, which suggested that there was some
activity there. The three artillery carriers had taken up position
between the Ile Chausey and St.Malo to cut off any Allied patrols in
that area, and two of the minesweepers stationed themselves between
Jersey and the Cotentin Peninsula for the same purpose. Another two of
the minesweepers were to be the spearhead of the attack. Their plan was
to sail straight into the harbour, and when challenged by the signal
station, simply to flash back the same challenge in the hope that this
would throw the defence momentarily off their guard and allow them to
get safely in. (Cf. HMS "Campbeltown" in the raid on St.Nazaire !!
JY.)
This was precisely what happened. Before anyone in the harbour
realized what was happening, the two minesweepers were secured alongside
the quays.
The third pair of minesweepers was left outside the harbour to
provide covering fire, the three motor torpedo boats made straight for
the beach by the Hotel des Bains to land their party, the tug moved
slowly towards the harbour entrance to give the leading minesweepers
time to secure themselves. Before this was completed the assault
parties were ashore and had established themselves in positions from
which they could control the approaches to the dock area. For an hour
and a half they remained in command of the situation in spite of fierce
counter-attacks by the Americans.
[Diary Extract -
Fri.Mar.9th.
0000. Fun started in earnest. Star-shells and tracer near the Isles
Chausey. We have to look after the "Gem", so cannot leave the
immediate vicinity. Granville is calling the PC but isn't getting any
reply. Looks like she's had it ! Off watch now and, as we' re
short-handed, No.2 on Oerlikon.
0100 Heavy firing has broken out ashore .The "Gem" is still
anchored, and with a light on ! Ordered her away to Cancale - hope she
makes it. We have 3 ships approaching us. Fired several star-shells,
but all failed to explode.
0130. Granville called us, then went off the air. We have no idea
what is happening, or which side is which in the exchanges of fire
ashore. Hell let loose there - heavy small-arms fire. Looks like a
commando raid ! All navigation lights have been shot out, including
Pointe du Roc lighthouse.
Back on R/T. had a go at contacting the PC - no reply - she must have
had it. The 3 contacts have been lost, and they don't seem to have
seen us, though some shells and tracer have come uncomfortably close,
but we don't know which side fired them. Cannot close in to the shore
as there isn't enough water for us now, and it's a maze of unlit rocks
and skerries. Anyway, we have no means of knowing what to fire at.
JY.]
It now appeared that the Germans had made a serious
miscalculation. They had assumed that during their attack all the
vessels in the harbour would be afloat - otherwise none of them could be
towed away - but in fact the tide was so low that of the four ships in
the harbour, three were firmly aground and only the 1,200 ton "Eskwood"
was afloat. Further, the tide was ebbing, so that time was against the
assault force. The engines of the three grounded ships were severely
damaged by explosive charges, and the port installations - cranes,
locomotives, wagons, and fuel dumps - were systematically demolished
while the Americans were kept at bay. It had been intended that the tug
should tow away any vessel that was captured, but in the event it was
not needed. The "Eskwood" left the harbour under her own steam.
According to the German account 'The crew took a sportsmanlike view of
the proceedings and worked their ship', encouraged perhaps by German
guns.
Meanwhile, the artillery carriers off the Ile Chausey were doing the
work assigned to them. An American submarine chaser (USPC 564 JY.)
was alerted by the noise of explosions at Granville and approached
from the west to investigate. In the fight that developed the American
ship was sunk by the artillery carriers, which themselves suffered no
damage. (So much for the radar-controlled gun ! JY.) Some of the
Americans were taken prisoner. It was believed that another Allied ship
was hit and withdrew. (There were no other Allied ships in the area.
JY.) The two minesweepers patrolling off the Cotentin coast sighted no
ships.
The attack on the radar station failed because the boats covering
this part of the operation found that the tide was so low that they
could not get close enough in to provide adequate covering fire. In
trying to get close in, one of them ran aground and had to be blown up
with depth charges, the crew having been transferred to another boat.
The diversionary assault on the Hotel des Bains was completely
successful. There was little resistance and nine Americans were taken
prisoner.
On the return journey the lighthouse and signal station on Grande
Ile de Chausey were attacked and put out of action. All the German
vessels, except the boat which had to be blown up, returned safely,
taking with them 30 prisoners captured in the harbour area and 55
prisoners-of-war who had been released. The only German casualties were
one officer presumed killed and five men wounded.
[Diary Extract -
(Fri. Mar.9th.)
0400 Firing ashore has died down. Now there are heavy explosions
from the dock area and big fires started. Sounds as though the
garrison has been overcome and demolition parties at work.
Instructions from Plymouth to remain in area till daylight. The "Gem"
seems to have got away safely, anyway. Asdic picked up several ships,
but unable to make any visual contact. Hopeless in the dark, and among
all these rocks and islets. W/T reception very bad, with heavy
jamming. Practically impossible to hear Cherbourg.
0600 Enemy forces seem to have withdrawn, though heavy explosions are going on intermittently and fires burning.
0700 Getting light at last. Picked up a fishing-boat, one of those
used in the landing. It contained a lot of gear - a quantity of civilian
clothes, a wireless set, and some code- books. Granville W/T on the
air again. Apparently the PC is aground somewhere down the coast.
Small boat came out, bringing a US naval officer - Lieut.Robinson.
What a story he had ! He is the only surviving Allied officer in the
place, and escaped by climbing down the cliffs.
The whole thing had been planned with assistance from ashore. On this
particular night a high-ranking US officer and his staff were visiting
Granville, and the Germans were led to their hotel by a civilian
woman. All were shot. All the ships in the harbour are sunk or
damaged, except one which the Germans have taken away ! The attack was
made by 3 armed trawlers and some 40 small boats loaded with troops.
The PC was probably disposed of by an E-boat, but we don't know yet.
Since we were diverted there unexpectedly they probably thought she was
the only warship there, which accounts for our being left alone. They
must have picked us up on their Asdics or RDF, but each would have taken
us for one of her consorts. If those star-shells had exploded ...... !
There were virtually no effective US forces ashore and resistance
was overcome in a very short time - some 200 casualties suffered,
including crews of the merchant ships. Ron Lister and I had difficulty
in coding up Lieut.Robinson' report, since we had to translate his
Americanese into phrases to fit our Naval Code.
We searched along the coast for the PC and found her near Pierre de Herpin.
An awful sight - guns blown away and bits of her crew all over the
deck - men we' d got to know quite well. 10 killed, 11 wounded
evacuated to Rennes by ambulance, and about a dozen missing. there are
also 11 more known to be adrift in a life-raft, not seen since 0030.
They never really knew what hit them. Took Lieut. Robinson down to
St.Malo and put him aboard "Porcher" just arrived. "Narcissus"
"Ilfracombe" and "Parrsboro'" have also arrived and we are going back
to Falmouth with the "Gem" - we have only a few hours coal left !
Aircraft are searching for the life-raft. Homeward bound by 1700.
Sat. Mar.10th.
Fine, calm. Good trip - entered Falmouth at 1130. Went alongside
at 1300 and took aboard 40 tons of coal. Newspapers report a German
raid on Granville in daylight, yesterday afternoon !! They say that
damage and casualties were slight, and it only had 'propaganda value'
They should have been there !! JY]
The Germans were highly delighted with the success of the operation.
In the words of Admiral Ruge : ' a sound plan, thorough preparation,
and complete secrecy had enabled the Channel Isles to strike a shrewd
blow. Compared with the battle in Germany, it was no more than a
pinprick, yet it was the best they could do for their suffering
country.'
(With which I heartily concur -'Hornblower' at his best !! JY.)
There was also, for me, two quite interesting sequels. Soon after
the war, I was teaching in a school outside Southampton, and a
15-year-old boy from Jersey arrived to do his last term.
I asked him if he remembered anything about March 9th. 1945. "Oh yes -
the Germans got a whole lot of coal from somewhere. We had the first
proper fires for months."
Many years later, a book was published purporting to list all the
losses of all the navies engaged in the Second World War, I wrote to
the author, via the publishers, on another matter, and also commented
on the fact that his lists included a German minesweeper "beached at
Granville, March 9th. 1945", saying that I had a personal interest in
that action.
He turned out to be the Naval Historian at the Admiralty, and
replied immediately, saying that he had been sure that the date of the
minesweeper's beaching must have been a mistake - what could possibly
have been happening there at so late a stage of the War ? Of course he
had never heard of the Granville Raid !
I sent him a copy of the above - he knows now !
LT/JX 358728 A.J.Yeatman O/Tel.
HMS "Pearl" 1943 - 44 - 45
