15 April 1942 Part 1

15 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: WNW strong to stiff wind, coastal mist, visibility five to eight nautical miles, moderate to fairly rough sea. 08:30: I ask V 204/11 by radio when they expect St Malo, as further passage is necessary. At Harbour Commandant St Malo’s offices there is a meeting about island transport chaired by Commanding Admiral France. It produces no new considerations for convoy service or employment of the boats. 12:25: V 204/11 report expected arrival about 14:00 and are ordered to enter at 17:00. 12:45: I order V 207/08 to leave at 15:00 with RO 45 for Cherbourg, then on 16 April escort Stade and H 86 PM to St Malo. 13:50: V 204/11 report anchored in St Malo Roads. 15:00: the divisional commander inspects Siebel ferry 108.

Situation: V 206/12 Granville–Jersey convoy under the previous intention, then protect Olwe in the afternoon; V 204/11 Brest–St Malo without convoy; V 207/08 Guernsey–Cherbourg with RO 45; V 1510/704 evening troop convoy from Guernsey with Georgi and St Antonius for Alderney; V 213 ready St Malo; V 209 unready; V 210 boiler cleaning; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage 13,600 GRT.

Intentions for 16 April: V 206/12 protect Olwe, required about ten days; V 204/11 ready St Malo; V 207/08 Stade and barge H 86 PM Cherbourg–St Malo; V 1510/704 complete troop convoy; V 213 ready St Malo; V 209 unready; V 210 boiler cleaning; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Remark: the attached Annex I illustrates circumstances obstructing and delaying convoys. I approve its conclusions and demands. Wind and sea increase during the night, causing V 1510/704 and convoy to return to Guernsey.

Closing escorted-tonnage table, 1–15 April: 1st 7,056; 2nd 9,197; 3rd 12,531; 4th 3,250; 5th dash; 6th 2,846; 7th 3,150; 8th 5,500; 9th 850; 10th 11,500; 11th 14,540; 12th 8,100; 13th 5,400; 14th 11,800; 15th 13,600 GRT. Subtotals 43,430 and 65,790; total 109,220 GRT. [The daily figures sum to 43,530 and 65,790, hence 109,320 GRT: 100 more than the printed first subtotal and total. Printed totals are retained.] The final table includes later corrections to earlier daily figures. Closed 15 April; signed Dr Diederichs, Fregattenkapitän and chief of the 2nd Patrol Flotilla and Convoy Control Office St Malo.

Convoy annex, ordered / carried out / carried out later / refused: 1 April 3/2/0/1 (shortage of boats); 2 April 3/2/1/0 (weather, carried out 3 April); 3 April 2/2/0/0; 4–5 April dashes; 6 April 1/1/0/0; 7 April 3/3/0/0; 8 April 5/5/0/0; 9 April 3/0/3/0 (weather, carried out 10 April); 10 April 2/2/0/0; 11 April 3/3/0/0; 12 April 1/1/0/0; 13 April 2/2/0/0; 14 April 2/2/0/0; 15 April 3/2/1/0 (weather, carried out 16 April). Printed totals 33 ordered, 27 carried out, five later, one refused. [The column records requested/ordered convoys, not every individual leg described in daily reports.]

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0309–0310, 0313.