30 September 1942

30 September 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South to south-east, light to weak breeze; fair to cloudy with isolated light precipitation still occurring; visibility 10–15 nautical miles; very smooth to calm sea.

0050, Guernsey: UJ 1407/01 arrived with convoy from Alderney. 0100, Guernsey: UJ 1407/01 sailed with RO 8 for Alderney. 0325, Malo roadstead: V 707/209 anchored with convoy. 0600, Alderney: UJ 1407/01 arrived with RO 8 from Guernsey. 0900, Malo: M 4605/04 sailed for Granville.

Remark: After a strong rise in the barometer and weather reports obtained from all island ports and Cherbourg [amended in manuscript], the weather appears good and stable. I therefore intend the bridge convoy for the coming night. 1000, Malo: Secret teletype to Commander, Security Forces West requesting E-boat deployment for the duration of the convoy, 0400–0700 on 1 October. I also inform 3rd Security Division, Sea Commandants Normandy and Channel Islands and the participating harbour commands. I request a detailed assessment from the weather station at 1500 of the weather situation and prospects for the coming night.

Requests: (1) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (2) combined convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (3) night troop convoy from Malo, La France and Holland to Jersey, Minotaure and Robert Müller 8 to Guernsey; (4) bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney. I assign M 4605/04 to (1), proceeding first to Granville; UJ 1407/01 to (2), ordered to ensure arrival at Cherbourg by 0100 on 1 October, if necessary leaving part or all of the convoy behind; V 707/05 to (3); V 713/02/10/24/UJ 1407/01 to (4).

V 212 has sea damage and is reported out of war readiness until 6 October for repairs. V 207’s MES installation has been badly affected by shell/bullet penetrations. Repairs only help for a few days; the cable has now become waterlogged. The boat will not be operational until delivery of the requested cable.

1200, Granville: M 4605/04 took over Claus-Wilhelm, Rabat and Comptoir 51 for Jersey, Pointe à Pitre, Bizon and Tourane for Guernsey. 1500: V 713’s commanding officer reports all preparations for the bridge convoy complete; departure ordered for 0400.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 30 September: (1) UJ 1407/01 with RO 8 Guernsey–Alderney, evening Alderney–Cherbourg with Xaver Dorsch, Schwalbe and others; (2) V 713/02/10/24 ready at Cherbourg; (3) V 707/209 complete the night troop convoy of 29/30 September, Robert Müller 8 from Guernsey, La France and Minotaure from Jersey to Malo, then V 209 rest and V 707 as in (4); (4) V 705 ready at Malo, then with V 707 night troop convoy of 30 September/1 October from Malo, Holland and La France to Jersey, Minotaure and Robert Müller 8 to Guernsey; (5) V 212/07 rest and repairs at Malo; (6) M 4605/04 independently Malo–Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (7) M 4611/01/02 rest at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 10,100 GRT.

Intentions for 1 October: (1) V 713/02/10/24 at 0400 bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney; (2) UJ 1407/01 protection for (1), then enter Alderney; (3) V 707/05 complete night troop convoy of 30 September/1 October Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, return convoy Guernsey–Jersey–Malo in the evening; (4) V 212/09/07 rest and repairs at Malo; (5) M 4605/04 ready at Guernsey; (6) M 4611/01/02 ready at Malo.

[Afternoon, time ending 530], off Jersey: M 4605/04 released part of the convoy and continued with the remainder to Guernsey. [Time ending 600], Malo: Cherbourg weather station’s requested detailed assessment for the coming night fully permits the bridge convoy. 1630: Naval Group Command West’s teletype states that E-boat deployment is not intended, but 5th E-boat Flotilla will be at immediate readiness from 0330. [Evening, time ending 930], Guernsey: M 4605/04 arrived with Bizon, Tourane and Pointe à Pitre from Granville. [Time ending 100], Malo: Secret message 922 from 8th Minesweeping Flotilla reports its intended passage Le Havre–Cherbourg and arrival there about 0400 on the night of 30 September/1 October. [Time ending 445, as positioned in the diary:] Remark: In relation to the bridge convoy, 8th Minesweeping Flotilla’s passage provides additional protection, although the convoy only begins its westward passage about 0400.

[Time ending 115], Alderney: UJ 1407/01 sailed for Cherbourg with Schwalbe. [Time ending 000], Malo: V 707/05 sailed with Holland, La France and Minotaure for Jersey–Guernsey; Robert Müller 8 left behind because its MES was unready. [Time ending 315], Cherbourg: UJ 1407/01 arrived with Schwalbe from Alderney.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0525–0526, original pages 24–26. Some time digits at the left edge of page 26 are obscured; these are marked rather than silently restored.