18 May 1942 Part 2

18 May 1942 divisional review of St Malo’s first-half April diary

Secret. 3rd Security Division, G 2398 AIV/Le, 18 May 1942. To Commander Security West, two copies; information copy Convoy Control Office St Malo. Subject: diary 1–15 April 1942. No previous reference; one enclosure. The diary is submitted in one copy.

Remarks: the diary again illustrates the difficulties of Channel Islands traffic, but the office nevertheless fulfilled its tasks. On page 4, 2 April: days without employment mainly result from weather or other unforeseen cancellation of planned convoys. Consequently they cannot be used for fitting out, repair, training and rest as desired. The intended reinforcement of the 2nd Patrol Flotilla by harbour-protection boats has not taken place and remains urgent, also for occupying outpost position Tannhäuser, which initially must be served by St Malo-based boats. Once a base exists at Lézardrieux, a patrol group should be stationed there; owing to distance it would better be subordinate to the 2nd Flotilla at St Malo than the 7th at Brest.

On page 6, final paragraph, 4 April: Admiral France had ordered the heightened readiness for several days as a precaution. In cases of uncertainty the convoy office must contact the Security Division. On page 12, 10 April: there still seems to have been no material improvement in communications to and from the islands; Admiral France should also be interested.

Additional instruction for the convoy office, page 18, 15 April and Annex I: the failings identified by V 204’s commander are to be clarified with Harbour Commandant St Malo if this has not already been done. Signed Hans Hartmann.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0314–0315.