18 November 1942 Part 5

18 November 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-west to north force 3–4, overcast, patches of rain, visibility 8–10 nautical miles, sea 3.

0330, Alderney: V 712/22 sailed with convoy for Cherbourg. 0615, Cherbourg: V 712/22 arrived with convoy from Alderney. 0800, Malo: Alert I cancelled.

Tasks: (1) route sweeping with SSG Malo–Ida 7–Ida 8, across bar at Îles Chausey at high water, Ida 11, then enter Jersey; (2) M 4605/04/02 Guernsey–Jersey to join group M 4600/01/06; (3) night troop convoy Rheinland from Guernsey, Claus Wilhelm and two barges from Jersey to Granville; (4) night troop convoy from Malo, La France to Jersey, Minotaure, Holland and RO 45 to Guernsey; (5) R 104 Jersey–Cherbourg. Orders: (1) M 4600/01/06; (2) I assemble C group of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla at Jersey for continuation of route sweeping on 19 November; (3) V 207/12, to provide anti-aircraft protection on Granville roads until troop convoy enters, then go to Malo; (4) V 711/29, joined at Noirmont Point by R 104 for passage initially as far as Guernsey.

0815, Malo: M 4600/01/06 sailed for route sweeping with SSG towards Granville–Jersey. 0830, Guernsey: M 4605/04/02 sailed for Jersey. After consulting Convoy Control Office, Harbour Commandant Guernsey attaches Salutés [name reading uncertain], Comptoir 51, Tourane and H 16. 1220, Jersey: M 4605/04/02 arrived with convoy from Guernsey. 1500, Malo: I travel to Nostang to deputise for the absent Commander 3rd Security Division.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to situation for 17 November: item 1, delete Gerfried and Henka; add Derfflinger, Anton and H 3.

Situation for 18 November: (1) V 712/22 with Antonius and Lena Alderney–Cherbourg, then rest; (2) V 207/12 night troop convoy of 18/19 November Rheinland from Guernsey and Claus Wilhelm from Jersey to Granville; (3) V 711/29 night troop convoy of 18/19 November La France Malo–Jersey, RO 45, Minotaure and Holland to Guernsey, R 104 joining from Jersey; (4) V 208 fumigation at Malo; (5) V 209/10 fitting out at Malo, Ad. le Prince convoy delayed 24 hours; (6) V 213 ready at Malo; (7) M 4600/01/06 route sweeping with SSG Malo–Ida 7–Ida 8–bar at Chausey–Ida 11, then enter Jersey; (8) M 4605/04/02 independently Guernsey–Jersey. Escorted tonnage: 6,200 GRT.

Intentions for 19 November: (1) V 712/22 independently Cherbourg–Alderney, then night troop convoy of 19/20 November Midsland Alderney–Guernsey; (2) V 207/12 complete night troop convoy of 18/19 November Guernsey–Jersey–Granville, then independently to Malo; (3) V 711/29 complete night troop convoy of 18/19 November Malo–Jersey–Guernsey with R 104, evening return convoy; (4) R 104 ready at Guernsey, onward passage with V 712/22; (5) V 209/10 with Ad. le Prince towed by Balidar and Nungesser Malo–Cherbourg; (6) V 208 fumigation at Malo; (7) V 213 ready at Malo; (8) C group of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla midday route sweeping with SSG Jersey–Granville.

1830, Jersey: M 4600/01/06 arrived from route sweeping without success. 1900, Malo: V 711/29 sailed with night troop convoy for Jersey–Guernsey. 2000, Guernsey: V 207/12 sailed with Rheinland for Jersey–Granville. 2100, Cherbourg: Eight S-boats sailed west; return from 0500 on 19 November through Channel Islands. I report possible encounters with V 711/29’s convoy through Naval Signals Officer by radio on short wave and S-boat wavelength. 2300, Jersey: V 207/12 took Claus Wilhelm, Tourane and Comptoir into convoy and continued to Granville. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0625–0626, original pages 5–7.