19 May 1942 Part 1

19 May 1942 St Malo convoy diary

I travel to Cherbourg for the burial of V 205’s dead and discussions about emergency repairs for its transfer to the Antwerp yard. The planned night convoys proceed as arranged. Attempts to repair V 206 while retaining operational readiness have failed. I therefore order the boiler blown down and the cleaning planned for 22 May begun immediately; unavailability reported.

Discussions conclude that V 205’s emergency repairs should finish by the evening of 1 June. Commander Security West makes two 2-cm C/38 anti-aircraft guns available for the transfer voyage; collection from Brest is initiated. V 704/12 undertake minor repairs and replenish supplies; V 704 remains unready.

Correction to 18 May, item 1: Cherbourg–Alderney with Gerfried; corrected tonnage 2,600 GRT. Situation: V 208/09 Alderney–Guernsey night troop convoy 18/19 May with RO 8, then ready for night convoy 19/20 May; V 207/02 ready St Malo, departing 20:30 for Cherbourg to relieve V 208/09; V 203/13/06 unready St Malo; V 204/05 ready Cherbourg, V 205 unready; V 211/1510 Jersey–St Malo night troop convoy 18/19 May with Minotaure, Ad. le Prince and Holland, then ready; V 704/12 St Malo, V 704 unready. Tonnage 1,700 GRT.

Intentions for 20 May: V 208/09 Guernsey–Alderney night troop convoy with RO 8, Alderney–Cherbourg with Gerfried, Heinrich and Claus, Cherbourg–Guernsey with Livadia, tug H 8 S and Muz 111, then St Malo; V 207/02 ready Cherbourg; V 203/13/06 unready St Malo, V 213 raising steam; V 204/05 Cherbourg, V 204 to St Malo with convoy item 4 [cross-reference as typed], V 205 unready; V 211/1510 and V 704/12 ready St Malo, V 704 unready.

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