14 January 1943

14 January 1943 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North force 8–9, sea 6–7, visibility 3 nautical miles; morning north-west to west force 5–7, sea 6–4, visibility 8–10 nautical miles, cloudy to fair. 0010, Malo: V 711/22 and V 207 returned with convoy as ordered. V 703/04's convoy again could not leave Alderney owing to weather. 0600, Alderney: V 703 dragged ashore from her anchorage in harbour. 0900, Alderney: V 703 stranded in harbour. Coaster Xaver Dorsch, also anchored there, drifted stern-first onto rocks and sprang a leak. Coaster Lena sprang a leak at berth 2. Xaver Dorsch carried 250 Russians. Rescue measures were in progress.

Remark: attention is again drawn to Alderney's exceptionally unfavourable harbour conditions. The laid barrier and Krupp bridges further severely restrict available space, so the harbour should, if possible, be occupied only lightly even in calm weather. In strong southerly winds the boats lie in danger. Thirteen vessels were anchored there that night: eight coasters, two patrol boats and three harbour-defence boats. This excessive occupancy contributed to V 703's loss in the storm. A convoy of several coasters had still reached Alderney from Cherbourg, while the return convoy could no longer sail because the weather had meanwhile deteriorated.

It seems appropriate and necessary to relax the existing strict ban on daylight passages Cherbourg–Alderney and back, allowing justified exceptions, particularly on the return leg. Attacks on this convoy traffic have so far occurred only on Cherbourg–Alderney convoys, never in the opposite direction. This might suggest that the suspected espionage for the enemy occurs at Cherbourg for departing convoys, rather than those travelling in the other direction. [The espionage suggestion is explicitly an inference in the diary.]

All convoys were cancelled because of the continuing storm, now veered to north-north-west–north. 1000, Jersey: M 4601/06/04/05 sailed to check south-eastern entrance. 1000, Malo: I radioed V 704 permission to proceed Alderney–Cherbourg in daylight with at least one coaster. V 704 could not use this permission because high seas were still running into the entrance; she would sail as soon as weather allowed.

It is again requested that the responsible offices examine moving the barrier farther out, since it greatly restricts harbour capacity. In its present condition the harbour in no way meets the demands of its heavy use. 1200, Malo: Harbour Commandant Alderney reported all of V 703's crew rescued.

Report to 3rd Security Division. Special events: V 703 dragged ashore and capsized in Alderney harbour. Xaver Dorsch drifted stern-first onto rocks, carrying 250 Russians. Lena leaking but still afloat. V 704 lost one anchor. Corrections to 13 January: item 4 V 210/424 with Spinell Cherbourg–Alderney, then independently to Guernsey; item 7 cancelled owing to weather; item 8 returned to Malo because entry to Guernsey was impossible. Escorted tonnage reduced by 900 GRT.

Situation for 14 January: (1) V 212/10/07, V 424 and M 4600 ready at Guernsey [list retained as recorded; V 207's return to Malo is recorded above]; (2) M 4600/06/04/05/07/01 check Jersey roads with SSG [list as typed]; (3) V 711/22 and M 4612/02 ready at Malo; (4) V 703/04: V 703 see special events; V 704 ready to sail for Cherbourg with two to three coasters. Escorted tonnage: none.

Intentions for 15 January, weather permitting: (1) V 212/10 and M 4600 as intended for 14 January; (2) M 4600/01/06 likewise; (3) V 711/22 night troop convoy of 15/16 January Malo–Guernsey; (4) V 207/424 with Tinda, night troop convoy of 15/16 January Guernsey–Alderney, then convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (5) V 704 complete convoy Alderney–Cherbourg, then rest; (6) M 4602 and Hummer boats available to WO course in Malo roads; (7) M 4612 ready at Malo; (8) M 4604/05/07 as intended for 14 January; (9) V 206/11 coming from east, Cherbourg–Malo passage.

1525, Jersey: M 4601/04/05/06 returned from searching, no mines swept. 2300, Alderney: V 704 sailed with coaster Spinell for Cherbourg. Signed on behalf, Wunderlich.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0696–0697, original pages 25–27.