5 February 1942

5 February 1942 St Malo convoy diary

23:30 on 4 February–02:00 on 5 February: telephone calls with Fighter Command 3, subordinate offices and Cherbourg’s sea-rescue centre. Initially no fighter search had been ordered for the morning. A rescue boat sent out yesterday returned damaged and without result. Five aircraft rescue boats reported en route from “L’abre Wrath” to Cherbourg were assigned a special task and could search only while passing; even this later fell through when they turned back in bad weather. [The 27 February review corrects the place to “L’Abervrach”.]

03:15: I ordered M 4005/M 4008 to search from daylight until darkness south from Cap de la Hague between the mainland and islands, including Vauville Bay and the coastal area, for wreckage, objects and bodies. Wind, current and the last sighting suggested this area. Fighter Command 3 had meanwhile received supporting orders; at 08:30 it confirmed fighter searches, extending north at my request. At 11:15 Cherbourg’s rescue centre reported that weather prevented floatplane take-offs.

11:30: Higher Command 60 postponed the inspection voyage with Italian officers from Granville to 8 February. At 12:30 Korvettenkapitän Leidholdt, representing Admiral France, and Sperr from Naval Commander Channel Coast arrived; future convoy arrangements were discussed. At 15:30 today’s convoys were reported proceeding as intended.

Situation: V 208/V 212 replenishment and repairs; V 206/V 213 replenishment and rest at St Malo. M 4005/M 4008 searching from Cherbourg. M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 left Jersey at 08:25 with Holland, Adolph le Prince, Comptoir 51 and Comptoir 66 for Granville. M 4000/M 4006 departed Granville at 10:30 with Claus Wilhelm, Mazagan, Georges Gunivers, H 16 and Favorit for Jersey; steamer Schokland for Guernsey. M 4007 to St Malo for repairs; V 1705/V 205 ready. Daily escorted tonnage: 4,123 GRT [closing table differs].

Intention for 6 February: V 208/V 212 repairs; V 206/V 205 ready. M 4005/M 4008 available to Cherbourg’s harbour commandant; M 4000/M 4006 at Guernsey; M 4007 repairs at St Malo. V 213/V 1705 to Granville, then Holland to Jersey; after unloading, Claus Wilhelm and Holland to Granville. An amendment to the 5 February situation replaces the conjunction after Favorit with a full stop, separating Schokland’s destination.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0248–0249.