17 May 1942 Part 1

17 May 1942 St Malo convoy diary

St Malo. SW moderate breeze, cloudy with scattered showers, heavy coastal haze in the morning, calm sea. V 208/09 receive divisional orders for submarine surveillance and occupy their assigned position. Night convoys are cancelled because of the division’s special task. Having refuelled overnight, the Siebel ferries are at the protected vessel in good time in the morning to provide anti-aircraft cover.

Correction to 16 May, item 1: V 208/09 Alderney–Cherbourg with Midsland, Kurland, Gerfried and Lena, then on position under divisional special orders; corrected tonnage 4,100 GRT. Situation: V 208/09 after special task Cherbourg–Guernsey with Olwe, then RO 8 night troop convoy to Alderney; V 207/06 on position under divisional special orders; V 203/02 after relieving patrol boats 704 on position under divisional special orders; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 ready St Malo for night troop convoy 17/18 May, H 49 and Holland for Jersey, RO 45 and Minotaure for Guernsey; V 213 unready St Malo. Tonnage 8,700 GRT.

Intentions for 18 May: V 208/09 Alderney–Guernsey, then ready for night convoy; V 207/06 and V 203/02 under divisional special orders; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 ready Guernsey for night convoy; V 213 unready St Malo. The division orders sections V 203/02 and V 207/06 to enter; V 203/02 are also to escort the Siebel ferries. 20:00: I telephone ferries 108/110 to leave Lézardrieux at 03:30 on 18 May and proceed to St Malo escorted by V 203/02. [Continuation on scan 0351: this departure time is determined by tidal conditions.]

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0350–0351.