19 November 1942 Part 3

19 November 1942 St Malo diary review by Security Forces West

Commander, Security Forces West. Secret command matter. Reference Gkdos 3862 A4. To Naval Group Command West—Admiral France, Operations Group; information copies to 3rd Security Division and St Malo Convoy Control Office.

The War Diary of St Malo Convoy Control Office for 16–31 August 1942 is submitted with the comments of 3rd Security Division.

1. Entry for 16 August, 1555, page 2, and 3rd Security Division's comment: The division's explanation is endorsed. To ensure flexible handling and rapid transmission of shipping-movement reports, St Malo Convoy Control Office must have transmitting and receiving facilities on a coastal wavelength and a teleprinter. The relevant requests have been made to Naval Group Command West—Admiral France.

2. Entry for 18 August, 1400, remark on page 6: In the present situation it is sufficient to check portions of the routes, particularly in shallow water off the harbours, where alone there is danger from G mines [source designation retained].

3. Entries for 20 August, 0100, and 21 August, 0400, remarks on pages 8 and 10: The report is an illuminating contribution to the question of displaying navigation-light measures for unnecessarily long periods.

4. Entry for 20 August, 2015, page 9: Equipping aircraft support ships with Cipher M has advantages and disadvantages. It provides direct radio communication, but carries a considerable risk of compromising cipher material because these ships perform their tasks alone far offshore and their destruction by superior forces must be reckoned with. Aircraft support ships can be reached through the Sea Emergency Service area commands.

5. Entry for 28 August, 0226, page 19: Eight wire rockets have been allocated to 2nd Patrol Flotilla.

Signature and further handwritten routing initials not securely identified.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scan 0472, single-page letter. Date in the typed heading: 19 November 1942; Naval Group Command West receipt stamp: 21 November 1942.