26 December 1942

26 December 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: East force 3–4, cloudy, visibility 5 nautical miles, morning haze and light coastal fog, sea 2, slight southerly swell.

Under 3rd Security Division's order, V 210/08 were ordered to occupy position Terminus on the night of 26/27 December, making a sweep to the eastern end of Titus. M 4245/46 and UJ 1402 with convoy 3331 (Otto, Welle and Wittekind) were ordered by 3rd Security Division to sail westward at 1030. 1000, Guernsey: FK 01/03 sailed with Noordplein and Claus for Granville [vessel name as read]. 1030, Malo: M 4245/46 and UJ 1402 sailed westward with convoy 3331 (coastal motor vessels Otto, Welle and Wittekind). 1030, Malo: buoy tender Augustin Fresnel sailed with FC 33 for buoy work at Minquier–M–Tonne [designation as printed]. 1145, Malo: M 4600/12 returned from position. 1200, Malo: V 208/10 sailed for position Terminus, night sweep to eastern end of Titus.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 26 December: (1) V 703/04 ready at Cherbourg; (2) M 4245/46 and UJ 1402 westward with convoy 3331; (3) V 711/22, V 208 and A and C Groups, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, rest at Malo [208 also named in the Terminus departure and item 5]; (4) M 4600/12 night of 25/26 December Terminus/Titus, morning return to Malo; (5) V 208/10 night of 26/27 December Terminus with sweep to Titus; (6) V 209/12 at Malo, two hours' notice 0600–0900 and 1830–0030 on 27 December.

Intentions for 27 December: (1) V 703/04 morning with Lena Cherbourg–Alderney, evening Alderney–Guernsey; (2) V 711/22 ready at Malo 0630–0900, evening night troop convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (3) 46th Minesweeper Flotilla ready at Malo; (4) V 208/10 return from position; (5) V 209/12 with Midsland Malo–Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey.

1830, Malo: M 4606/01/05 sailed for route sweep with SSG, Ida 1–Ida 8–Ida 1–Ida 2–Ida 1. 1900, Malo: Augustin Fresnel returned with FC 33. 2100, Granville: FK 01/03 arrived with Noordplein and Claus from Guernsey. 2225, Alderney: FK 08/21 sailed for Cherbourg. 2300, Malo: radio message 2235/51 received on HSW reporting the departure at 2225 of FK 08/21. Remark: late transmission of the departure report meant the convoy office could no longer take account of the relevant offices in the M.-Dienst. The Alderney harbour commandant responsible for timely submission of the radio message has been reminded of the need to report departures promptly. [M.-Dienst abbreviation retained.] Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0672–0673 left, original pages 21–22.