11 April 1942 Part 1

11 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: WSW light to weak breeze, visibility two nautical miles, fog west of the Channel Islands, calm to slight sea. 09:15: I order V 204/11 to Brest for demagnetisation and compensation; the 3rd Security Division is asked for Sperrbrecher escort from Brest. 09:30: V 209/10 are ordered to escort troop transports H 2 and Karel Jersey–St Malo tonight. Intended convoys are carried out.

Situation: V 206/08 complete the previous night’s troop convoy, entering St Malo at 05:00; V 207/13 evening Holland Guernsey–St Malo; V 211/13 complete the previous convoy, then Guernsey–Brest [line struck through]; V 204/11 Guernsey–Brest [inserted replacement]; V 209/10 complete previous night’s escort and take H 2 and Karel Jersey–St Malo tonight; V 1510/704 Cherbourg–Alderney without convoy, returning with Sperber carrying troops; V 212 coaling St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage initially 6,242 GRT; corrected on 12 April to 14,540 GRT.

Intentions for 12 April: V 206/08 ready St Malo, evening RO 45 troop convoy to Jersey; V 207/13 and V 209/10 complete their troop convoys; V 1510/704 ready Cherbourg, possible night convoys; V 209/12 ready St Malo; V 210 boiler cleaning on arrival St Malo; V 204/11 demagnetisation Brest; V 205 dock Cherbourg. [Vessel combinations vary in the source and are retained.]

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0307–0308.