17 February 1942

17 February 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Heavy seas cancelled the intended Cherbourg–Alderney convoy during the night of 16/17 February. V 208/V 213 and M 1205 did not depart until 12:45, without convoy. To bring M 1205 to St Malo quickly, I ordered the three boats to proceed via “West Ross” [designation as printed] to Point 27a, where V 212/M 4006 were to take over M 1205. V 208/V 213 would return via Alderney to Cherbourg. The harbour commandant cancelled the St Malo–Jersey/Guernsey convoy.

13:00: a telephone message from the 3rd Security Division required four boats for a special task during the night of 18/19 February; detailed orders would follow. A later message allowed their use during daylight on 18 February.

Correction to 16 February situation: V 208/V 213, M 1205 and the convoy had remained at Cherbourg because of heavy seas. Situation 17 February: V 208/V 213 departed Cherbourg 12:45 with M 1205 for Point 27a, handing her to V 212/M 4006 and returning to Cherbourg. V 205/V 206 departed Guernsey at 08:05 with Ad. le Prince, Holland, Claus Wilhelm, Saigon, Point a Pietre and Tourane for Granville, then without convoy to St Malo. M 4007/M 4008 ready St Malo. V 1705/M 4000 had not sailed because of weather. V 212/M 4006 took over M 1205 at 27a and escorted her to St Malo. M 4005 ready there. Escorted tonnage: 2,464 GRT.

Intention for 18 February: V 208/V 213 ready Cherbourg after the Alderney–Cherbourg night convoy; V 205/V 206 replenishment St Malo. M 4007/M 4008 St Malo–Granville without convoy, then Hubbastone and Comptoir for Jersey, Diamant and Holland for Guernsey. V 1705/M 4000 St Malo–Guernsey without convoy, returning with Karel, Maas and Nestor. V 212/M 4005 from St Malo with Nordplein, B 113 S and two barges for Jersey, H 23 and Derfflinger for Guernsey. The Guernsey-bound parts of the two convoys were to unite off Jersey and continue with V 212/M 4007/M 4008; M 4005/M 4006 to return St Malo [boat numbers retained].

At least 1,700 men had been announced for transport on 18 February: 1,200 from Granville in three vessels and at least 500 from St Malo in one. These numbers for one day seemed very high compared with island garrisons and Organisation Todt. Figures for daily or weekly traffic should be established so transports in both directions could be spread out, avoiding large concentrations on one day in this small escort area.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0261–0262.