27 April 1942

27 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: E fresh wind, slight sea, visibility three to five nautical miles. Divisional Gk 1270 releases V 204/11 from their special assignment for immediate use by this office; I order them to undertake Cherbourg–Alderney and return. Harbour Commandant St Malo reports lock operation limited to two hours before and two hours after low water [Niedrigwasser as printed], owing to the low basin level. Gate repairs on 28–29 April will cause further restrictions. Remark: anchor boats in the roads instead of entering on every visit; repeated experience of inadequate direction and supervision by the harbour captain leads me to expect disruption.

09:00: UJ 1411/04 are to return Guernsey–St Malo with any convoy and be available tonight. 21:15: UJ 1404/11 night St Malo–Jersey convoy; the lock closes from 08:00 on 28 April for two days. 21:40: V 207/11 assigned RO 8 Cherbourg–Guernsey.

Correction to 26 April, item 9: Holland and Schockland, not Rheinland; 4,000 GRT. Situation: V 206/08/09/10/12 St Malo; V 207/11 RO 8 Cherbourg–Guernsey; V 1510/704 Cherbourg special assignment; V 204 ready Cherbourg; V 213 unready Cherbourg; V 205 dock; UJ 1404/11 Guernsey–St Malo without convoy, then H 2 and Schockland St Malo–Jersey. Tonnage 4,700 GRT, corrected on 28 April to 3,900.

Intentions for 28 April: V 206/08/09/10/12 St Malo; V 207/11 Guernsey–Alderney with possible convoy; V 1510/704 Cherbourg special assignment; V 204 Cherbourg; V 213 unready; V 205 dock; UJ 1404/11 Jersey–St Malo without convoy.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0325.