18 May 1942 Part 1

18 May 1942 St Malo convoy diary

St Malo. Slight to moderate sea, at times fairly heavy; cloudy to overcast; visibility 15 nautical miles. The planned night convoys were carried out. V 206 reports leaking feedwater preheater and feed valve, limiting readiness; V 203 has both generators out of service and is unready.

08:45: divisional teletype concerning accelerated transfer of H 85 with Mütz from Cherbourg to Lorient. V 704, intended to escort to Brest, is unready because both generators have failed. This is reported to the division; the escort must first be brought from Cherbourg. Remark: generator failures are increasing. Frequent operation with magnetic self-protection equipment (MES) overloads electrical machinery. More thorough and more frequent degaussing should be considered to reduce generator demands. Measuring stations have recently tended to degauss less and send more current through the MES cables.

Situation reported to 3rd Security Division: V 208/09 arrived Alderney 04:30 with RO 8, unescorted Alderney–Cherbourg, then Cherbourg–Alderney with convoy not yet known; V 207/06 after special task to St Malo, then ready, V 206 restricted readiness; V 203/02 after special task to St Malo, then V 202 ready and V 203 unready [hand-corrected number]; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 Guernsey–Jersey night troop convoy with Minotaure and Ad. le Prince; V 213 unready St Malo. Tonnage 2,400 GRT.

Intentions for 19 May: V 208/09 Alderney–Guernsey night troop convoy with RO 8; V 207/02 ready St Malo for night convoy; V 203/13 unready St Malo; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 Jersey–St Malo night troop convoy with Minotaure, Ad. le Prince and Holland; V 206 ready St Malo, minor machinery repairs.

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