14 December 1942

14 December 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South to south-west force 6, overcast, rain, visibility 5–8 nautical miles, sea 4.

0400, Guernsey: M 4605/02 sailed for Jersey. 0800, Jersey: M 4605/02 sailed with combined convoy for Granville. Tasks: (1) training passages for the mine-warfare school; (2) combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (3) combined convoy Jersey–Granville; (4) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) night troop convoy Guernsey–Jersey–Malo; (6) night troop convoy Guernsey–Alderney; (7) convoy Cherbourg–Alderney and back. Assigned: (1) V 210/12 with SDG (P), M 4623/25 with ORG, M 4600/01 with SSG; (2) M 4611/06; (3) M 4605/02, independently Guernsey–Jersey beforehand; (4) M 4605/02 after item 3; (5) V 207/13; (6) V 703/04; (7) V 711/22.

0900, Malo: V 210/12, M 4623/25 and M 4600/01 sailed for training passages. 1030, Malo: M 4611/06 sailed with combined convoy for Jersey–Guernsey. 1145, Granville: M 4605/02 arrived with combined convoy from Jersey. 1215, Granville: M 4605/02 sailed with combined convoy for Jersey–Guernsey. Weather deteriorated further. It was to be expected that the less seaworthy vessels in the combined convoys would have to be taken to the nearest harbours. Remark: Harbour Commandant Guernsey reported St Peter Port harbour heavily occupied and the vessels lying very uneasily in the stormy south-easterly wind.

1510, Malo: I therefore ordered M 4611/06’s convoy, proceeding from Malo towards Jersey–Guernsey, by radio to enter Jersey. 1540, Malo: M 4600/01/25/23 returned from training off Malo. 1540, Jersey: M 4605/02 reported entering with the combined convoy from Granville owing to weather. 1645, Malo: V 210/12 anchored in the roads after returning from training. 1820, Jersey: M 4611/06 arrived with combined convoy from Malo as ordered by radio. Remark: the weather had greatly reduced this convoy’s speed, also justifying the order to enter Jersey.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 14 December: (1) V 703/04 night troop convoy of 14/15 December Guernsey–Alderney with Karel; (2) M 4602/05 independently Guernsey–Jersey, then combined convoy to Granville, followed by combined convoy Jersey–Guernsey [wording as printed]; (3) V 207/13 night troop convoy of 14/15 December from Guernsey with Minotaure, from Jersey with Rob. Müller 8, to Malo; (4) M 4604/12 repairs at Malo; (5) M 4611/06 with Spes Salutas, Claus, Midsland, Irene and Schokland for Jersey–Guernsey; (6) V 212/10 and M 4600/01/23/25 available in Malo roads for mine-warfare course; (7) V 208/09 fitting out at Malo; (8) V 711/22 and M 4607/13 ready at Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage: 8,900 GRT.

Intentions for 15 December: (1) V 703/04 complete night troop convoy of 14/15 December, then continue to Cherbourg for MES check; (2) M 4602/05 ready at Guernsey; (3) V 207/13 complete night troop convoy of 14/15 December Guernsey–Jersey–Malo, then ready; (4) M 4604/12 fitting out at Malo; (5) M 4611/06 ready at Guernsey; (6) V 212/10 and M 4600/01/21/24 available in Malo roads for mine-warfare course; (7) V 208/09 with hospital ship Hüxter Malo–Guernsey; (8) V 711/22 and M 4607/13 ready at Cherbourg.

2350, Malo: M 4621/24/00/01 sailed into the roads to be available early on 15 December for mine-warfare school training passages. Convoys in task items 5, 6 and 7 above were cancelled owing to stormy weather. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0657–0658, original pages 26–28.