The German convoy that bumped into the Allied ships failed to get messages to shore due to damage to their radio aerials in the fire fight however the operator of the long range Freya 28 (Radar) at Pourville correctly identified five columns of stationary ships at 03:45 at a range of 35 km. An alert was given to the Navy command who did not believe the warning, however when the ships started to head to shore a further warning was given at 04:35, troops along the coast had heard gun fire out to sea and some units went to alert, it was 05:05 before German orders came from Le Havre for artillery to open fire. Within an hour the extent of the attack was being understood by German command and reserves were notified to prepare to move to the coast.