Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Combat Report Transcript of British Engagement

A combat report transcript, measuring 208x284mm, extremely fine condition with folding creases and some fraying. With it come three photos, measuring 63x92mm, 91x61mm, and 176x118mm, all in near mint condition, showing one of the ships, as well as her captain. The document is dated to October 12, 1944 and gives an account of a Kriegsmarine group of ships engaging ships of the British Navy the night before. The original is written by the Captain (name unknown) of Forward Post Ship V 2007, part of the 14th Forward Post Flotilla. The transcript is attributed to Senior Lieutenant of the Kriegsmarine, Hermann Kassel, Captain of V 1414 (see photos for Kassel and ship). The battle took place off the Dutch coast, around 3:30 a.m. It involved the German ships V 2007, V 2004, V 2011, and V 1414. They engaged two groups of British ships, one after the other, the first one including a radar picket. The first British group was taken by surprise. It consisted of five fast attack crafts of which the German group managed to sink three, including the radar picket, before the remaining two retreated. Immediately afterwards, the German ships were engaged by another British group, also consisting of five ships. They retreated after exchanging fire without losses. All German ships suffered minor damage, V 2007 had one man dead, one severely wounded, and six lightly wounded. A small newspaper cutout states that a group set fire to two British ships, losing one of their own ships in the process, which according to a handwritten note was V 1412. Apparently this happened earlier that year, on July 14, 1944.