13 January 1943 Part 2

13 January 1943 Third Security Division review of the early-December St Malo diary

Concerning pages 10–11, 2330: the letter prints “5.11.42”, but the cited passage is 5 December 1942; the error is preserved here explicitly. Control of Ozet Cherbourg’s radar service still required regulation. For detections in 2nd Security Division’s area, clear arrangements already placed control with that division. It made no sense for detections in 3rd Security Division’s area to be evaluated at 2nd Security Division. St Malo Convoy Control Office was the appropriate body for the Channel Islands: it handled most shipping and also served as the shipping-report collection centre.

I therefore proposed, in 3rd Security Division’s top-secret teleprinter message 5291 of 30 November, that Ozet Cherbourg should serve only as a reporting point for detections within 3rd Security Division’s area, passing them by direct telephone line to an Ozet to be formed at Convoy Control Office. If this were not accepted, Ozet Cherbourg must at least maintain constant telephone contact with Convoy Control Office and immediately pass all detections and enquiries to it as the first recipient. Where 3rd Security Division directly controlled shipping in its area — special tasks or through convoys — the division would take Convoy Control Office’s place. Handling of radar information during 2nd Torpedo Boat Flotilla’s operations off Cherbourg on the nights preceding 9 and 11 January 1943 showed that this was possible even with the existing wire connection. A direct wire connection between 3rd Security Division and Ozet Cherbourg was naturally desirable.

The Seetakt radar sets on the Channel Islands must also receive direct telephone connection with Ozet Cherbourg as soon as possible, so that they could fulfil their proper purpose instead of being used only for artillery purposes as hitherto. Signed on behalf, Dr Diederichs. Endorsement records enclosure to Commander Security West G 794 of 20 January 1943; the separate surviving forwarding letter is dated 6 February.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0660 left and 0661 left, two-page letter. 3rd Security Division, G 247 A II, 13 January 1943; Secret. To Commander Security West, copy to St Malo Convoy Control Office. Subject: St Malo Convoy Control Office war diary, 1–15 December 1942. No previous correspondence; one enclosure. One copy of the diary submitted.