3 February 1942

3 February 1942 St Malo convoy diary

All intentions were carried out or, for Alderney–Cherbourg, expected to be possible during the coming night. Tug Anton accompanied V 208/V 212 from St Malo to Jersey and joined V 206/V 213’s onward convoy to Guernsey. Lighter Tourane joined at Granville. The 14th Submarine Chaser Flotilla was warned that water levels prevented departure from St Malo between 11:00 and 19:00. Its eventual departure report nevertheless arrived too late for M 1208 to sail on the falling tide.

Situation: V 208/V 212 at 10:00 from St Malo with three tugs and five lighters, including Anton, to Jersey and back. V 206/V 213 via Granville with Adolph le Prince, Tourane and Diamant for Jersey and Guernsey; Anton attached at Jersey. M 4005/M 4008 at 19:00 from Guernsey with Helma to Alderney, then an unnamed convoy to Cherbourg. M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 night convoy from Cherbourg via Alderney to Guernsey, names unknown. V 205 boiler cleaning; M 1208 did not sail. Escorted tonnage: 3,009 GRT.

Intention for 4 February: V 208/V 212 replenishment and sea-damage repair at St Malo. V 206/V 213 without convoy Guernsey–Jersey, then Nordplein to St Malo. M 4005/M 4008 at Cherbourg, possible Alderney night convoy; M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 ready; V 205 coaling; M 1208 available to the 3rd Security Division.

Except on bad-weather days, the few boats had met almost every request, escorting up to 9,000 tons a day. Repairs, orderly replenishment and rest for crews were now urgently needed. More escort boats were essential, particularly with transport officers repeatedly predicting increased traffic.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0247.