11 October 1942

11 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-west, weak to moderate breeze; cloudy, visibility 20–30 nautical miles; slight sea; isolated showers; towards evening backing through west to south-west and freshening.

The scheduled night convoys were only partly carried out because of weather. Requests: (1) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (2) Karel and Kurland, Malo–Guernsey, taking Holstein at Jersey; (3) night troop convoy from Malo, La France for Jersey and Minotaure and Holland for Guernsey; (4) night troop convoy Spinel, Alderney–Guernsey. I issue orders assigning V 714/08 to (1), M 4611/01 to (2), V 710/24 to (3), V 713/02 to (4).

0830, Malo: M 4611 suffered engine damage on sailing. I ordered M 4605/04/02 to carry out the convoy, delaying its departure by about two hours. 0930, Granville: V 714/08 sailed with Paul et Janine, Arques, Normand, Maas, Claus Wilhelm, Pondicherry, RO 8 and Mazagan for Jersey–Guernsey. 1030, Malo: M 4605/04/02 sailed with Karel and Kurland for Guernsey. 1245: Teletype from Sea Commandant Normandy concerning lively aircraft activity observed 5–10 km north of Cherbourg during the night of 10/11 October. Minelaying suspected. 1320, Jersey: M 4605/04/02 [as printed; the listed convoy had V 714/08 above] released Paul et Janine, Arques, Normand, Maas, Claus Wilhelm and Pondicherry and continued with the remaining convoy, Holstein and one lighter.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 10 October: Item 3 cancelled because of weather; item 4 only as far as Guernsey. Situation for 11 October: (1) V 713/02 ready at Alderney; (2) UJ 1407/01 convoy Cherbourg–Alderney; (3) V 210 and M 4612 passage Cherbourg–Malo; (4) V 212/13 independently Guernsey–Cherbourg; (5) V 714/08 from Granville with Paul et Janine, Arques [typed variant], Normand, Maas, Claus Wilhelm and Pondicherry for Jersey, RO 8, Mazagan, Bizon and Tourane for Guernsey, taking Holstein at Jersey; (6) V 209 and M 4601 ready at Malo; (7) M 4611 repairs at Malo; (8) M 4605/04/02 from Malo with Karel and Kurland for Guernsey; (9) V 710/24 night troop convoy of 11/12 October from Malo, La France for Jersey, Holland and Minotaure for Guernsey. Escorted tonnage: 11,750 GRT.

Intentions for 12 October: (1) V 713/02 troop convoy during night to 12 October, Spinel, Alderney–Guernsey; (2) UJ 1407/01 convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (3) V 210 and M 4612 complete Cherbourg–Malo passage, ready; (4) V 212/13 complete Guernsey–Cherbourg passage, ready; (5) V 714/08 and M 4605/04/02 ready at Guernsey; (6) V 209 and M 4601 ready at Malo; (7) M 4611 repairs at Malo; (8) V 710/24 complete night troop convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, ready.

1800, Guernsey: V 714/08 arrived with remaining convoy from Granville–Jersey. 1800, Guernsey: V 212/13 sailed for Cherbourg. 2000, Malo: V 710/24 sailed with La France, Minotaure and Holland for Jersey–Guernsey. 2000, Guernsey: M 4605/04/02 arrived with convoy from Malo. 2140, Cherbourg: V 212/13 arrived from Guernsey. 2215, Malo: Alert 1. Remark: I am informed of enemy aircraft making strafing attacks on Granville and on the detection equipment east of Malo. 2300, Cherbourg: V 210 and M 4612 sailed for Malo.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0546–0547, original pages 18–19.