30 October 1942

30 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South, light to gentle breeze; overcast to cloudy; glassy to very smooth sea; visibility 10–12 nautical miles.

0230, Cherbourg: M 4600/06 sailed for St Malo. 0230, Malo: Operational command radio message received from 3rd Security Division: steamers Ronwyn and Hispania to be escorted Brest–Lézardrieux by V 712/22 and M 4013/14 on 31 October; Ronwyn then to Jersey on 1 November with a pair from the Convoy Control Office, and Hispania to Cherbourg with V 712/22 and M 4013/14. Steamer Drepanum to be escorted by group M 1201/05/06/07 Brest–Jersey on 31 October, Jersey–Cherbourg on 1 November.

Requests: (1) night troop convoy from Malo, La France and Schokland for Jersey, H 49, RO 45, Minotaure and Holland for Guernsey; (2) bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney. Orders: (1) V 714/08 and, since two patrol boats do not appear sufficient to protect these six vessels, UJ 1411/02, proceeding independently Guernsey–Malo for this purpose; (2) V 713/02/212/13 with V 711/29 providing protection. Weather appears to permit this convoy, and all offices are informed accordingly.

0900, Malo: C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla sailed with ferry-training party. 1200, Malo: M 4600/06 arrived from Cherbourg.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 30 October: (1) V 713/02/11/29/213/12 at Cherbourg ready for bridge convoy; (2) V 714/08 night troop convoy H 49, Minotaure and Holland Malo–Guernsey; (3) UJ 1411/02 independently Guernsey–Malo, then night troop convoy La France and Schokland Malo–Jersey together with item 2; (4) M 4611/12 independently Cherbourg–Malo, then ready [boat numbers as printed, differing from timed entries above]; (5) M 4605/04/02/01 ready at Guernsey.

Situation continued: (6) V 209 at Malo out of war readiness until 4 October [date as printed]; (7) V 210 S-equipment repair at Malo; (8) M 4430 and seven Hummer boats training trips in Malo Bay; (9) M 4600/06 independently Cherbourg–Malo; (10) V 207/08 ready at Guernsey, at immediate readiness from 2000 to 2400. Escorted tonnage: 5,400 GRT.

Intentions for 31 October: (1) V 713/02/213/12 bridge convoy and Iris, Cherbourg–Alderney at 0430, then ready; (2) V 711/29 protection for item 1; (3) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy Malo–Guernsey, then ready; (4) M 4605/04/02/01/207/08 ready at Guernsey [designation as printed]; (5) UJ 1411/02 complete night troop convoy Malo–Jersey, then ready; (6) M 4611/12/00/06 ready at Malo; (7) V 210 S-equipment repair at Malo.

1335, Guernsey: UJ 1411/02 sailed for St Malo. 1430, Malo: Secret command message 3699 received about passage of three torpedo boats Cherbourg–La Pallice. I radio 2nd Torpedo-boat Flotilla about possible overtaking of M 4611/12. No other possible encounters in the Channel Islands area. 1530, Malo: C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla returned from training trip. 1830, Malo roads: UJ 1411/02 arrived from Guernsey. 1840, Cherbourg: M 4611/12 sailed for Malo after completion of demagnetisation. 1900, Cherbourg [inserted entry]: Four torpedo boats sailed as planned.

2230, Malo: 3rd Security Division reports that from 0400 on 31 October four boats of 15th Patrol-boat Flotilla will be at immediate readiness in Cherbourg for the duration of bridge transport. Convoy Control Office is to cancel their immediate readiness when no longer required.

2320, Malo: V 714/08 and UJ 1411/02 sailed with La France for Jersey, H 49, Minotaure and Holland for Guernsey. Steamer RO 45 must remain behind because loading is incomplete. Schokland has engine damage and remains at Malo.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0584–0585, original pages 22–23.