on one m.s. 1 - general
INTRODUCTION
1. These orders are issued in amplification of those issued by
the Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force, the Naval
Commander Eastern Task Force and the Naval Commander, Force ‘S’.
COMMAND OF THE FIRST MINESWEEPING FLOTILLA
2. In the event of the Senior Officer, First Minesweeping
Flotilla becoming a casualty, or being temporarily out of action,
command of the Flotilla will devolve on the following officers in
the order shown:-
(a) Acting Commander T C P Crick DSC RN (HMS Jason)
(b) Lieut-Commander A J Galvin DSC RD RNR (HMS Britomart)
(c) Lieut-Commander T E Williams DSC RD RNR (HMS Speedwell)
(d) Lieut-Commander R C Briggs DSO DSC RN (HMS Hussar)
and remaining Commanding Officers in order of their
seniority.
3. Change of command is to be promulgated by the Officer
assuming command to NCETF, FO Force ‘S’ (R) MS 15
TABLE
OF IMPORTANT SIGNALS
4. Attention is drawn to ONEAST/S Appendix II.
SHIPS RETURNING TO HOME BASE FOR FUEL, STORES ETC
5. (a) Attention is drawn to ONAD ONE PORTSMOUTH which gives
full particulars of the administration of Ports in the Portsmouth
Command during Operation Neptune and of the signals required of a
ship entering any of the ports for fuel, stores etc.
(b) When two or more ships are in company the Senior Officer
should make collective signals.
DEGREES OF READINESS
6. (a) Battle state of damage control is to be assumed by all
ships.
(b) Ships of the First Minesweeping Flotilla are to keep the
after ballast tank empty of oil fuel and the capacity of this tank
(29 tons) is not to be included in reports of fuel short.
7. (a) The third degree of readiness is to be assumed on sailing
and the second degree from 2200B on D – 1 day until daylight on D
– Day.
(b) Thereafter subject to any special orders issued by the
Senior Office, Commanding Officers may at their discretion revert
to the third degree of readiness. They should bear in mind that if
the full minesweeping efficiency of their ships is to be
maintained, they and their Ship’s Companies must seize every
opportunity that the situation will allow of obtaining rest.
(c) Particular care and attention must be devoted to the
organisation of the Communication, A/S Radar and Coder branches
whose efficiency will fall off considerably without a reasonable
amount of rest.
STATE OF DEPTH CHARGE ARMAMENT
8. (a) When minesweeping:- Harbour lashings on, primers
removed.
(b) When anchored in the Neptune Area:- Harbour lashings
OFF, primers inserted in the WITHDRAWN position, pistols to
SAFE.
Senior officer’s intentions during approach
9. (a)
The clearance of Channel 9 is to be continued to the
Lowering position regardless of enemy interference and casualties
.
(b) In the event of enemy attack the sweeping formation MUST be
preserved and the attack fought off with the best available
means.
(c) No ship must be allowed to sink in the swept channel.
REPORTS OF MINES SWEPT
10. (a) While sweeping at night a rating armed with glasses is to
be stationed at the after end of the boat deck to watch for
mines cut by own ship’s sweep.
(b) When called upon to report mines swept the times of
cutting or detonating are to be included in the report, e.g.:-
‘0132 TWO cut’, ‘0134 ONE detonated’
Mines cut by ships ahead are NOT to be included in these
reports.
(c) Collective reports are to be made by Senior Officer in
accordance with ONEAST 6 para 40 & 41.
LIGHTS WHEN SWEEPING AT NIGHT
11.(a) Upper minesweeping station-keeping lights and shaded
stern lights may be used for station keeping at night.
(b) Care is to be taken when turning away from the enemy coast
that these lights and any other lights on the sweep deck are
switched off before starting a turn. This is particularly
important during the evolution of changing the side of the sweep
and when carrying out the turn to port after passing the lowering
position.
USE OF ASDIC DURING THE APPROACH
12. While sweeping channel 9 all ships except the guide are to
set mine detection watch, using STU 40 degrees on either bow.
FH 830 BEACON
13. An FH 830 beacon will be laid on the Eastern side of the
entrance to channel 9 and will be pointed at HDME 416
NOTICE FOR STEAM
14. All ships are to be at IMMEDIATE notice for steam while in
the Neptune Area.
