13 September 1942

13 September 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-east, weak to moderate breeze; fair to overcast; slight tendency to thunderstorms and precipitation; visibility 3–5 nautical miles, at times heavy fog; calm to slightly disturbed sea.

0030, Cherbourg: V 705/22/209 arrived with convoy from Alderney. 0030, St de Cordière [source spelling]: V 704/07 anchored with convoy because of fog. I have Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg transmit: “V 707/04: no daylight passage. Remain at Jersey with Minotaure on 13 September, to avoid exposing the troops to air attack.” 0930, Jersey: V 707/04 entered with convoy owing to fog.

Requests: (1) complete Minotaure's night troop convoy Jersey–Guernsey; (2) transfer Planet Cherbourg–Guernsey–Malo; (3) from Malo, Chiemsee for Jersey, RO 8, Sperber and Irene for Guernsey; (4) RO 21 and Robert Müller 8 with troops Alderney–Guernsey. Since V 704/22 are to return to Brest, I order V 707/04 for (1); M 1204 with V 705/22 for (2), taking Planet in tow to achieve 9 knots; M 4611/05 for (3); V 209 and M 1207 for (4), first independently Cherbourg–Alderney. Planet's departure Cherbourg–Guernsey is fixed for 0330 on 14 September, allowing for the current and Commander, Security Forces West's prohibition of daylight convoys.

0930, Malo: M 4611/05 sailed with Chiemsee for Jersey, RO 8, Sperber and Irene for Guernsey.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 12 September, item 2: V 707/04's troop convoy proceeded only to Jersey because of fog. Situation for 13 September: (1) V 209 and M 1207 night convoy of 13/14 September Cherbourg–Alderney–Guernsey; (2) V 705/22 and M 1204 with Planet in tow Cherbourg–Guernsey at 0300 on 14 September, 9 knots [the preceding order says 0330]; (3) V 707/04 with Minotaure Jersey–Guernsey on the night of 13/14 September; (4) V 212/08 at 2nd Security Division's disposal; (5) M 4611/05 daylight convoy from Malo, Chiemsee for Jersey, RO 8, Sperber and Irene for Guernsey; (6) M 4604/01 ready at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 4,200 GRT.

Intentions for 14 September: (1) V 209 and M 1207 completing night convoy, then Guernsey–Alderney–Cherbourg with convoy; (2) V 704/22 daylight passage Guernsey–Lézardrieux, then with F 6 to Brest under 3rd Security Division's orders; (3) V 707/05 and M 1204 night troop convoy of 14/15 September, Minotaure from Guernsey and La France from Jersey to Malo; (4) M 4611/05 daylight passage with Planet to Malo; (5) M 4604/01 independently to Granville, then combined convoy Jersey–Guernsey.

Additional requests: (1) from 15 September, two days' escort for steamer Peuthlièvre [name indistinct here; H 2], towed by Vollmar and Georges Guynemer, Malo–Cherbourg; (2) from 16 September, two days shadowing hospital ship Hüxter; (3) from 19 September, about six days for transport of a troop unit in three parts Cherbourg–Alderney. With only V 707/05 at Malo and V 209/M 1207 at Cherbourg available, I request at least two additional pairs. Teletype G 14356 AI allocates V 710/24 and V 713/02.

1530, Jersey: M 4611/05 released Chiemsee and continued with the remainder to Guernsey. 1725, Guernsey: M 4611/05 arrived with convoy from Malo. 1830, Cherbourg: V 209 and M 1207 sailed independently for Alderney. 2055, Alderney: they arrived from Cherbourg. 2100, Jersey: V 707/04 sailed with Minotaure for Guernsey. 2400, Guernsey: V 707/04 arrived with convoy.

Signed: Wunderlich.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0497–0498, original pages 21–22.