16 May 1942 Part 1

16 May 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Secret. War Diary of Convoy Office St Malo, 16–31 May 1942; officer in charge Fregattenkapitän Dr Diederichs, chief of the 2nd Patrol Flotilla. Two annexes. [Title on 0349; daily text on 0350, original pages 2–3.] 01:00: return to St Malo. Moderate SW breeze, calm sea, visibility three nautical miles. No convoys during night 15/16 May, on Security Division orders.

08:45: an urgent divisional teletype issued at 01:50 orders both Siebel ferries transferred to Lézardrieux. I issue the necessary orders. Siebel ferry 108 at Jersey first has to obtain fuel not yet available, then leaves at 11:00 with Nordplain and Schokland for St Malo. Ferry 110 is not ready because both anchors are fouled by a heavy anchor chain lost by a steamer. A naval officer and several experienced seamen free the ferry in two hours. 13:25: after replenishing provisions, V 203/02 leave St Malo with ferry 110, ordered to meet ferry 108 and proceed with it to Lézardrieux. I place a watch officer aboard 110.

V 203/02 are to proceed from Lézardrieux to Jersey only if they can be east of the Rosa route after 22:00; otherwise remain at Lézardrieux pending orders. The division later gives the boats special orders to occupy a designated position. Harbour Commandant Granville, whose convoy request for today had to be refused, again allows five transport vessels to sail without meeting the conditions ordered by Commanding Admiral France.

Correction to 15 May: item 3, on position under divisional orders; item 4, ready St Malo. Patrol section V 210/12 has entered Amsterdam yard. Situation: V 208/09 Cherbourg–Alderney with Dorsch, Claus and Schwalbe and return, day convoy, returning vessels not yet known; V 207/06 on position under divisional special orders; V 203/02 St Malo–Lézardrieux with ferries 108/110; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 ready St Malo; V 213 unready St Malo. Tonnage 1,200 GRT, corrected next day to 4,100.

Intentions for 17 May: V 208/09 ready Cherbourg; V 207/06 to Guernsey for night convoy after special task; V 203/02 to Jersey for night convoy after special task; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 ready St Malo for night convoy; V 213 unready St Malo.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0349–0350.