20 August 1942 Part 3

20 August 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: Westerly, weak to moderate breeze; calm to slightly disturbed sea; rain showers; visibility 10–15 nautical miles.

0020, Alderney: V 206/09 arrived from Guernsey.

0100, Malo: I found the SB navigation-light measures for entering Malo illuminated. On enquiry, Harbour Commandant Malo stated that Sea Commander Normandy had ordered them shown from 0000 until daylight.

Remark: After the day's events, while the Malo fortress garrison is at the highest state of alarm against a landing, this is an obvious misuse of the request for lights. Only the night troop convoy with M 4605/04 is expected from Guernsey, where it sailed at 2230. At 7 knots, allowing for the current, it cannot reach Malo before 0600, and probably not until about 0700–0730. I shall hold the leader of the pair responsible.

0715, Malo: M 4605/04 with RO 21 anchored in the roadstead. 0900: Coastal alarm ended.

The following escort tasks are available: (1) combined convoy Cherbourg–Alderney; (2) independent passage by V 206/09/07, Alderney–Malo; (3) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey. I assign V 707/04 and V 207 to (1). After completing that task, V 207 is to join V 206/09 for the passage to Malo. M 4611/01 are assigned to (3), first proceeding without a convoy from Malo to Granville.

1045, Malo: Granville reports that today's requested escort is no longer needed because loading was not completed during the coastal alarm. M 4611/01, already in the lock, are ordered not to sail. The convoy is scheduled for 21 August.

A notice from the Sea Transport Chief states that hospital ship Hüxter will visit Guernsey and Jersey on 22/23 August to evacuate the island hospitals. I plan shadowing by two patrol boats.

The following situation and intentions were sent to 3rd Security Division. Intentions for 20 August: (1) V 213/08 and UJ 1411 at the disposal of 2nd Security Division; (2) V 206/09 to complete the Guernsey–Alderney night troop convoy, then readiness; (3) M 4611/01 Malo–Granville without convoy, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey, followed by readiness; (4) V 707/04/207 ready at Cherbourg for a possible convoy; (5) M 4605/04 to complete the Guernsey–Malo night troop convoy, then readiness; (6) passage west under orders of 2nd Security Division [no vessel designation entered against this item].

Supplement to the situation for 19 August: escorted tonnage 2,550 GRT. This is the delayed total for 19 August.

Situation for 20 August: (1) V 213/08 and UJ 1411 at the disposal of 2nd Security Division; (2) V 209/06/07 without convoy, Alderney–Malo; (3) M 4611/01 ready at Malo; (4) V 707/04 with V 207 and combined convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, then ready for the return convoy; V 207 as in (2); (5) M 4605/04 completing the night troop convoy of 19/20 August, Guernsey–Malo with RO 21, then readiness; (6) V 210/12 at Vlissingen. Escorted tonnage: 800 GRT.

Intentions for 21 August: (1) V 213/08 and UJ 1411 at the disposal of 2nd Security Division; (2) V 209/11 ready at Malo for the night troop convoy of 21/22 August with La France and Minotaure to Jersey; (3) M 4611/01 without convoy to Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (4) V 707/04 ready for convoy Alderney–Cherbourg and back; (5) M 4605/04 ready at Malo; (6) V 210/12 westward under orders of 2nd Security Division.

[1]800, Cherbourg: V 707/04/207 sailed with combined convoy to Alderney. [1]800, Malo: Teleprinter message from 3rd Security Division received concerning the intended passage of aircraft support vessel Tschirschky from Lézardrieux to Cherbourg. [2]015: Teleprinter message from Sea Emergency Service Area Command Brest concerning Tschirschky's speed and other passage details. I report the possibility of an encounter.

Remark: Tschirschky has no naval cipher material. In danger, or when important information or orders must be sent to this aircraft support vessel passing through my area—for example concerning approaching enemy forces—it could not be reached directly, but only by teleprinter or telephone.

[Time partly hidden, ending 25], Alderney: V 707/04 arrived with combined convoy from Cherbourg. [Time partly hidden, ending 30]: Outside the harbour V 206/09 took V 207 into company with Georgi and Sperber for passage to Guernsey–Malo. [Time partly hidden, ending 10], off Guernsey: V 209/06/07 released Georgi to enter and continued to Malo with Sperber.

A radio message over the harbour-protection wavelength to Sea Commander Normandy is received, requesting Malo entry lights from 0030 until daylight.

Remark: On checking, I again find the lights have been requested far too early, since V 206/09/07 cannot be off Malo before 0400. My telephone suggestion, through Harbour Commandant Malo to Sea Commander Normandy, to show them only from 0330 is rejected: the lights have been ordered from 0030 and that must stand. I shall investigate after the pair arrives. [The following day's entry refers to this remark as 20 August, 2200; no corresponding time is visible beside it here.]

Signed on behalf: Wunderlich.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scan 0460 left and right, original pages 8–9, and scan 0461 left, original page 10. Digits hidden in the binding are bracketed where reconstructed; uncertain readings are identified.