6 July 1942

6 July 1942 St Malo convoy diary

SW, moderate sea [wording as typed], visibility fifteen nautical miles, slight to moderate sea and small SW swell. 00:55 St Malo: night convoys proceed as planned except V 209/206’s troop convoy, delayed over an hour by disruption of lock operations. Remark: during these short nights such delays shift the intended night passage into daylight. Reinforcing the escort is generally impossible because all serviceable boats are usually assigned elsewhere and fighter cover is difficult to obtain. 05:30 Cherbourg: V 202/208 return from patrol position. 07:00 Guernsey: V 209/206 arrive with night troop convoy. 07:30 Granville: V 713/729 release the troop convoy, which remains under shore anti-aircraft protection until it can enter, and start for St Malo. V 203/204 and V 209/206 receive orders for the Jersey–St Malo and Guernsey–St Malo night convoys respectively; V 203/204 must first proceed alone to Jersey. 11:00 St Malo: V 713/729 arrive from Granville.

Situation: V 202/208 at Brummer during night 5/6 July, then Cherbourg–Alderney with convoy not yet known; V 711/724 complete Guernsey–Cherbourg passage with six harbour-protection boats [described as night troop convoy], then ready; V 209/206 finish Livadia, Rob. Müller 8, Minotaure and Karel troop convoy to Guernsey, then ready for Minotaure’s return during night 6/7 July; V 203/204 ready, then alone St Malo–Jersey for Ad. le Prince troop convoy back to St Malo overnight; V 713/729 finish H 2, Maas and Holland troop convoy Guernsey–Granville, then alone to St Malo and ready; M 4605/4601/4604 minor repairs at St Malo. Escorted tonnage 2,850 GRT.

Intentions for 7 July: V 202/208 Alderney–Cherbourg with convoy not yet known, then ready; V 711/724 at Bremse overnight [night printed 5/6 July], then ready; V 209/206 finish Minotaure convoy, then ready; V 203/204 finish Ad. le Prince convoy, then ready; V 713/729 replenishing stores St Malo; M 4605/4601/4604 ready St Malo. Night convoys begin according to plan. 16:30 St Malo: V 203/204 sail alone for Jersey. 20:00 Cherbourg: V 202/208 sail with convoy for Alderney. 20:30 Jersey: V 204/203 arrive from St Malo. 22:40 Alderney: V 202/208 arrive with convoy from Cherbourg. 22:45 Jersey: V 203/204 sail with Ad. le Prince troop convoy for St Malo. 23:00 Cherbourg: V 711/724 sail for Carmen. 24:00 Guernsey: V 209/206 sail with Minotaure troop convoy for St Malo. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0400–0401.