2 November 1942

2 November 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-east to east, gentle to moderate breeze, later south-east; overcast to cloudy, patches of rain, morning haze; smooth to slight sea; visibility outside rain showers 8–10 nautical miles.

0010, Malo: M 4621/22/11/12/06 anchored to be available for the mine-warfare course during the day. 0215, Malo roads: V 714/08 anchored with Rob. Müller 8 from Guernsey. 0250, Cherbourg: Group M 4620 (M 1201) arrived with convoy.

Tasks: (1) two tugs and two targets Jersey–Guernsey; (2) night troop convoy Georgi and Lena Guernsey–Alderney; (3) night troop convoy from Malo, La France, Schokland and Sperber for Jersey, Minotaure, Holland and RO 8 for Guernsey; (4) Weber, Dorsch and Antonius Cherbourg–Alderney; (5) return convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (6) V 713/02 Malo–Brest passage. For tasks 1–5 I issue orders: (1) UJ 1411/02, afterwards task 2 and then Cherbourg; (3) V 207/08 for the vessels destined for Jersey and V 714/08 for those destined for Guernsey; (4–5) V 212/13.

0900, Malo: Nine boats of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla sailed for training trip for the mine-warfare course.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 2 November: (1) V 711/29 ready at Cherbourg, bridge convoy again not ready; (2) V 213/12 convoy Cherbourg–Alderney and back; (3) V 713/02 passage Malo–Brest, released to 3rd Security Division; (4) V 714/08 night troop convoy of 2/3 November, Minotaure, Holland and RO 8 Malo–Guernsey; (5) V 207/08 night troop convoy of 2/3 November, La France, Schokland and Sperber Malo–Jersey, together with item 4; (6) UJ 1411/02 two tugs and two targets Jersey–Guernsey; (7) V 210 still S-equipment repair at Malo; (8) M 4621/22/11/12/01 and M 4602/04/05/06 in Malo Bay for mine-warfare course; (9) M 4600 minor repair at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 5,500 GRT.

Intentions for 3 November: (1) V 711/29/213/12 evening bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney; (2) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy of 2/3 November Malo–Guernsey, evening return convoy Guernsey–Malo; (3) V 207/08 complete night troop convoy of 2/3 November Malo–Jersey, then independently Jersey–Granville, afterwards combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (4) UJ 1411/02 night troop convoy Georgi and Lena, Guernsey–Alderney at 0000, then Cherbourg, evening protection for item 1; (5) nine boats of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla in Malo Bay for mine-warfare course; (6) M 4600 and V 210 minor repairs at Malo; (7) V 712/22 evening Cherbourg–Alderney, then night troop convoy of 3/4 November Georgi and Lena Alderney–Guernsey.

1400, Jersey: UJ 1411/02 sailed with tugs Guepe 58 and Quatrième and two sea-targets for Guernsey. 1600, Malo: V 713/02 proceed to Brest. 1750, Guernsey: UJ 1411/02 arrived with convoy from Jersey.

Remark: There are concerns about carrying out the Cherbourg–Alderney and Guernsey–Alderney convoys after group V 712’s convoy with steamers Hispania and Ronwyn had been attacked on two successive nights. It must be expected that the enemy, having recognised the convoy as proceeding west to east, will await it tonight at the particularly dangerous point, or still near Cap de la Hague. On enquiry, 3rd Security Division shares these concerns.

I therefore move the convoys in the Alderney area to the early morning hours, which experience shows are less exposed. Later these convoys are cancelled altogether owing to bad weather.

1900, Malo: V 207/08 and V 714/08 sailed with La France, Schokland and Sperber for Jersey, Minotaure, Holland and RO 8 for Guernsey. 2000, Malo: Secret command radio order from 3rd Security Division received: this office is to control the onward convoy of Ronwyn and Hispania, which entered St Helier with battle damage, with V 712/22 and M 4014/13, and ensure replenishment of the escorts’ ammunition. Through Naval Commandant Jersey I arrange for the boats to report their ammunition requirements to the Convoy Control Office.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0594–0596, original pages 3–5.