15 October 1942 Part 3

15 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-west to west, weak to moderate breeze; cloudy to fair, calm to slight sea; visibility 15–20 nautical miles; medium-length, medium-height south-west swell.

0140, off Jersey: V 710/24 released Holland and continued with La France for Guernsey. 0340, Malo: Teletype from Sea Commandant Normandy reports that the bridge convoy cannot proceed because of freshening wind and increasing seas. 0430, Cherbourg: V 212/13 sailed with Spinel and Dorsch for Alderney. 0430, Guernsey: V 710/24 arrived with convoy from Malo. 0715, Granville: M 4605/04/02/01 sailed for route sweeping with SSG. 0720, Alderney: V 212/13 arrived with convoy from Cherbourg. 0810, Malo: Alert 1 cancelled.

Requests: (1) Kochelsee, Malo–Granville, then Rabat, Gabes, H 67 and H 238 to Jersey, Rheinland, Pointe à Pitre, Nestor, Naphta II and G. Guynemer to Guernsey; (2) one coaster Cherbourg–Alderney; (3) three coasters Alderney–Cherbourg; (4) night troop convoy from Guernsey with La France and RO 8, from Jersey with Holland, to Malo. Assignments as printed: V 209/10 to item 1; UJ 1405/16 to items 2 and 3; V 212/13 to item 4; V 714/08 to item 5 [no fifth request is listed; the later situation and movements assign V 714/08 to the Guernsey–Malo troop convoy].

0830, Malo: V 209/10 sailed with Kochelsee for Granville. 1215, Granville: V 209/10 released Kochelsee and took Rabat, Gabes, H 67 and H 238 for Jersey, Rheinland, Pointe à Pitre, Nestor, G. Guynemer and Naphta II for Guernsey.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 15 October: (1) V 713/02 at Cherbourg; no bridge convoy because of weather; (2) UJ 1405/16 Cherbourg–Alderney with coaster; (3) V 212/13 early Spinel convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, ready; (4) V 209/10 Corona convoy Malo–Granville [as printed here; Kochelsee above], then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) V 714/08 night troop convoy of 15/16 October from Guernsey with La France and RO 8, from Jersey with Holland, to Malo; (6) V 710/24 finish night troop convoy of 14/15 October Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, ready; (7) M 4605/04/02/01 repeated route sweeps Granville–Malo with SSG; (8) M 4612 ready at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 6,800 GRT.

Intentions for 16 October: (1) V 713/02 ready at Cherbourg; (2) UJ 1405/16 three-coaster convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (3) V 212/13 night troop convoy of 15/16 October Spinel, Alderney–Guernsey; (4) V 209/10/710/24 ready at Guernsey; (5) V 714/08 finish night troop convoy of 15/16 October Guernsey–Jersey–Malo; (6) M 4605/04/02/01 repeated Granville–Jersey sweeps with SSG; (7) M 4612 ready at Malo.

1620, Jersey: V 209/10 released part of convoy and continued with the remainder to Guernsey. 1900, Cherbourg: V 713/02 sailed independently for Alderney. 1940, Guernsey: V 714/08 sailed with RO 8, La France and the subsequently reported Rob. Müller 8 for Jersey–Malo. 2000, Malo: M 4605/04/02/01 returned from route sweeping without result. As the boats have too few watch officers, they must initially also put in for meals [handwritten amendment]. I give them 16/17 October for rest. 2030, Alderney: V 213/12 sailed with Spinel for Guernsey. 2100, Alderney: V 713/02 arrived from Cherbourg. 2115, Jersey: V 714/08 took Holland into convoy and continued to Malo. 2230, Alderney: V 713/02 sailed with Gerfried, Schwalbe and Franka for Cherbourg. 2152, Malo [entered after 2230]: Increased alert readiness ordered. 2400, Cherbourg: V 713/02 arrived with convoy from Alderney.

Statement of tonnage escorted during 1–15 October: 1 October 5,100; 2 October 3,000; 3 October 3,800; 4 October 7,000; 5 October 5,500; 6 October 4,900; 7 October 6,000; 8 October 6,400 GRT. Subtotal 41,700 GRT. 9 October none; 10 October 450; 11 October 11,750; 12 October 4,500; 13 October 6,700; 14 October 1,200; 15 October 6,800 GRT. Subtotal 31,400 GRT. Total: 73,100 GRT. [The first column accidentally labels both final rows “8”; the sequence indicates 7 and 8 October. The 7 October figure includes the 400 GRT correction issued on 8 October. Both subtotals and the grand total agree with the listed figures.]

Convoys requested during 1–15 October: Source scan 0556, unnumbered closing page. In date order, requested/carried out: 1 October 3/3; 2 October 4/3, one refused for lack of boats; 3 October 3/3; 4 October 4/3, one carried out later; 5 October 4/3, one carried out later; 6 October 3/3; 7 October 3/3; 8 October 4/4; 9 October none because of weather; 10 October 1/1; 11 October 4/4; 12 October 5/5; 13 October 3/3; 14 October 1/1; 15 October 5/5. Totals: 47 requested, 44 carried out, two carried out later, one refused. [Totals agree with the rows. The left edge of the date column is clipped; dates follow the consecutive rows under the explicit 1–15 October heading.]

Closed on 15 October 1942. Signed: Dr Diederichs, Frigate Captain and commander of 2nd Patrol-boat Flotilla.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0554–0555, original pages 25–26.