https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sept-%C3%8Eles
What was the rational for sending a blockade runner straight up the English Channel as opposed to sending the cargo by rail?
Even hopping from port to port would seem riskier than the overland route.
The battle of Sept-Iles
The battle of Sept-Iles
The gods do not deduct from a man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.
~Babylonian Proverb
~Babylonian Proverb
Re: The battle of Sept-Iles
It is rather surprising, but the Germans evidently considered it was worth the risk. Even in 1944 German coastal traffic continued, among other things carrying Spanish ore. As long as they stayed close to the coastline German gun batteries (17 cm mostly, with many other calibres) could provide some protection.
On 26 February 1944 the tanker Hecht left Cherbourg for Le Havre, escorted by five Vorpostenboote and two auxiliary minesweepers. A first attack during the night by six, later ten, British MTBs was beaten off by the escorts and the convoy safely reached Le Havre. During the next leg to Boulogne the tanker survived several air attacks, but when going through the Straits several days later British radar-guided guns (9.2 inch most likely) opened fire, her hull was holed by shell fragments and she sank off Calais. But even after that traffic continued.
On 26 February 1944 the tanker Hecht left Cherbourg for Le Havre, escorted by five Vorpostenboote and two auxiliary minesweepers. A first attack during the night by six, later ten, British MTBs was beaten off by the escorts and the convoy safely reached Le Havre. During the next leg to Boulogne the tanker survived several air attacks, but when going through the Straits several days later British radar-guided guns (9.2 inch most likely) opened fire, her hull was holed by shell fragments and she sank off Calais. But even after that traffic continued.
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