| Naval High Command |
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| 2 Naval War Staff / B.d.U. Op. |
6 July 1943. |
| Ref. No. Group Command Secret 291 A2. |
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| Most Secret |
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Operational Order "Trinidad" for "U 218" |
(Alternative Operation for "Gibraltar") |
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| I. |
Operation: Minelaying of the North entrance to the Gulf of Paris is to be carried out. |
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| II. |
Enemy Situation: There is regular heavy convoy traffic to and from Trinidad (main harbor Port of Spain). There are overseas, coastal and Caribbean convoys. In the case of Caribbean shipping, fast single vessels may also be expected. Convoys proceeding to the Atlantic consist exclusively of tankers. Shipping enters and leaves Port of Spain usually in the morning. |
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| III. |
Defence: Air patrols must be expected by day and night. In the coastal area naval patrols. Probably detection at once by strong air cover. There are 2 enemy minefields east and west of the gap (See sketch). In the middle of May 1943, according to an intercept message, the designation was mentioned for the first time for small airships in the Trinidad area. These may be expected. |
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| IV. |
Mines: 12 SMA with 600 m. mooring rope, time setting = 55 days disarming device = 3 hours, clockwork arming switch = 36 hours, depth-setting minus 20 m., period delay mechanism one. Mines may be laid only at depths of 50 m. - 500 m. Distance apart of mines 400 m. |
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| V. |
Geographical limits: None. The mines are to be laid as near as possible on the outgoing route. (It is very important to make observations beforehand). |
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| VI. |
Carrying out the Operations: |
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1) |
Boats are to put out in accordance with Order. Mines to be laid if possible at the period of the new moon. |
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2) |
When laying take into consideration the ebb current running strongly to the north, or the less strong flow current running south. |
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The mines are to be laid in front of the mine gap shown. The enclosed sketch is to be taken as a guide for carrying out the operation. |
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The Commanding Officer may make changes according to the enemy situation observed or notified. The time of minelaying is left to the Commanding Officer after investigating the area. |
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Regarding extinguishing of lights and prohibited areas see Standing Order No. 491, Section D. |
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| VII. |
A report is to be made as soon as possible after carrying out the minelaying but from at least 150 miles away, by a short signal. |
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A.F.K.P. = Have carried out minelaying off Trinidad. |
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