1 December 1942 Part 4

1 December 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North force 4–5, gusting 7; cloudy, showers; visibility 12 nautical miles; sea 3–4, increasing.

0100, Alderney: V 209/10 arrived with Karel from Guernsey. 0800, Malo: Alert I cancelled.

Requests and tasks: (1) combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (2) night troop convoy from Malo, Holland for Jersey, Minotaure and RO 21 for Guernsey; (3) night troop convoy Karel Alderney–Guernsey; (4) return convoy Karel Guernsey–Alderney; (5) route sweeping Jersey–Granville–Malo with SSG. Orders: (1) M 4611/12; (2) V 212/08; (3) V 209/10, subsequently to Malo because V 209’s commanding officer was ill; (4) V 703/04, proceeding independently Jersey–Guernsey; (5) M 4600/01/06.

0830, Jersey: M 4600/01/06 sailed with equipment towards Malo. 1130, Malo: M 4611/12 sailed with Chiemsee and Spes Salutas [ship name as printed] for Jersey, Rheinland and Ostvlandern for Guernsey. Two tugs and four barges which sailed with them for Jersey returned because the sea was too high.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 1 December: (1) V 209/10 night troop convoy of 1/2 December Alderney–Guernsey with Karel, then independently to Malo; (2) V 703/04 independently Jersey–Guernsey; (3) V 207/13 fitting out and magnetic treatment at Malo; (4) V 212/08 night troop convoy of 1/2 December from Malo, Holland to Jersey, Minotaure and RO 21 to Guernsey; (5) V 711/22 rest at Cherbourg; (6) M 4600/01/06 route sweeping with SSG Jersey–Granville–Malo; (7) M 4611/12 combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (8) A group of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla available, anti-aircraft course; (9) M 4602/04/05 minor repairs at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 6,500 GRT.

Intentions for 2 December: (1) V 209/10 complete independent Guernsey–Malo passage of 1/2 December, then ready; (2) night troop convoy of 2/3 December Guernsey–Alderney with Karel [escort designation omitted in this item]; (3) V 207/13 ready at Malo; (4) V 212/08 complete night troop convoy of 1/2 December Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, evening return convoy; (5) V 711/22 ready at Cherbourg; (6) M 4611/12 ready at Guernsey; (7) A and C groups of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla available, anti-aircraft course.

1500, Jersey: V 703/04 sailed for Guernsey. The return night troop convoy Karel Guernsey–Alderney, following the Alderney–Guernsey convoy, was cancelled because reloading could not be completed for the intended sailing time. 1730, Malo: M 4600/01/06 arrived from Jersey without sweeping success. 1800, Malo: Alert I ordered. 1800, Alderney: V 209/10 sailed with Karel for Guernsey. 1805, Guernsey: V 703/04 arrived from Jersey. 1845, Jersey: M 4611/12 released Chiemsee and Spes Salutas, continuing to Guernsey with the remainder. 2115, Guernsey: V 209/10 released Karel and continued to Malo. 2200, Guernsey: M 4611/12 arrived with the remaining convoy from Malo. 2330, Malo: V 212/08 sailed with Holland for Jersey, Minotaure and RO 21 for Guernsey. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0643–0644, title and original pages 2–3. Title: War Diary of St Malo Convoy Control Office, 1–15 December 1942; chief: Commander (Fregattenkapitän) Dr Diederichs, Chief of 2nd Patrol Boat Flotilla.