19 April 1942

19 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: S light to weak breeze, overcast, slight sea. Night convoys run as planned in favourable weather. Remark: the slowness of communications makes control and monitoring of shipping between the Channel Islands illusory. Departure teletypes arrive after the vessels have reached their destination, leaving the convoy office practically uninformed while they are at sea and unable to advise of possible encounters.

10:00: I order V 207/13 to take over Olwe’s protection. V 206/08 are to escort Jersey–St Malo: V 208 requires boiler cleaning and V 206 turbine inspection by AEG specialists. Situation: V 206/08 protect Olwe then, after relief, Holstein Jersey–St Malo; V 204/12 Georges, Guynemer and Naphtha Jersey–Guernsey, then St Malo; V 207/13 Jersey to Olwe’s working area; V 1510/704 Cherbourg–Anton [Alderney] and back with convoy; V 210/11 ready St Malo, night H 23, Kurland, Schockland and Seigon troop convoy to Guernsey; V 209 ready St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage 8,300 GRT.

Intentions for 20 April: V 204/06/09/12 ready St Malo; V 207/03 protect Olwe [03 as typed]; V 1510/704 ready Cherbourg; V 210/11 Guernsey–Jersey without convoy, then night H 13 troop convoy Jersey–St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg; V 208 boiler cleaning, unready St Malo.

17:00: Harbour Commandant Granville requests an escort on 20 April at 11:00, one boat to enter and embark Jersey’s commander. V 210/11 are ordered to proceed to Granville after releasing the Guernsey convoy, V 210 to enter there. 20:00: V 206/08 enter. 21:00: V 204/13 enter [13 as typed]. 22:00: V 210/11 leave with the night troop convoy, one hour late.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0321.