29 June 1942

29 June 1942 St Malo convoy diary

NNW weak breeze, calm sea, visibility fifteen nautical miles. 03:15 Guernsey: V 204/206 arrive with convoy. 04:15 St Malo: V 209/M 4430 arrive alone in the roads. 04:30 Guernsey: V 713/729 arrive with Minotaure convoy. In response to the 3rd Security Division’s teletype requiring regular occupation of patrol positions Carmen/Caruso until further notice, I report that the short nights must be used for convoys with the fast boats of the 2nd Patrol Flotilla; regular occupation is possible only by deferring convoys.

Three convoy requests: Granville–Jersey on 30 June; St Malo–Jersey night troop convoy on 29 June; Guernsey–St Malo night troop convoy on 29 June. I assign respectively M 4601/4604/4605; V 713/729, to return from Guernsey to St Malo and undertake the convoy with M 4430; and V 204/206.

Situation: V 204/206 finish Claus Wilhelm night troop convoy Alderney–Guernsey, then ready for Robert Müller 8 and Minotaure troop convoy Guernsey–St Malo on night 29/30 June; V 713/729 finish Minotaure troop convoy Ida 3–Guernsey, then alone to St Malo for Holland and Karel night troop convoy to Jersey; V 209/M 4430 alone Ida 3–St Malo, V 209 then boiler cleaning and M 4430 reinforcing V 713/729; V 202/208 anti-aircraft training and coaling; M 4605/4604 at St Malo Roads overnight at 3rd Security Division’s disposal; M 4604 ready St Malo [duplicated as printed]; V 203/213 Cherbourg–Alderney with Spinel and Weber, then ready for Alderney–Cherbourg convoy. Tonnage 3,750 GRT.

Intentions for 30 June: V 204/206 finish Minotaure and Robert Müller 8 troop convoy Guernsey–St Malo, then ready; V 713/729/M 4430 finish Holland and Karel troop convoy St Malo–Jersey, then ready; V 202/208 ready, anti-aircraft training; M 4601/4604/4605 alone St Malo–Granville, then Rheinland, Comptoir 66, Comptoir 51 and Pointe à Pitre Granville–Jersey; V 203/213 ready Cherbourg for convoy service.

I order V 209 docked immediately for boiler cleaning. Its hull is heavily fouled and its boiler has accumulated many operating hours. Unless this docking opportunity is used, another will not occur for four weeks. 20:20 St Malo: St Brieuc air-reporting centre reports an unidentified vessel, probably a motor torpedo boat, approaching St Malo at high speed. I notify the harbour commandant. The vessel proves to be a harbour-protection boat. 20:50 Alderney: V 203/213 sail with convoy for Cherbourg. 22:15 St Malo: V 713/729/M 4430 sail with Holland, carrying troops, and Karel for Jersey. 23:00 Guernsey: V 204/206 sail with convoy for St Malo. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0391.