2 February 1942 Part 1

2 February 1942 St Malo convoy diary

A slight weather improvement greatly eased convoy work inside St Malo Bay. All intentions were carried out except the tows, which St Malo’s harbour commandant withheld. M 1208 did not sail for Point 28 because the Chief of the 14th Submarine Chaser Flotilla reported remaining at Guernsey. At 15:15 a telephone discussion with the 3rd Security Division disclosed that a priority teletype was still en route. Earlier instructions of the same substance enabled orders to Cherbourg and Guernsey to hold M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 and M 4005/M 4008 at immediate readiness for the division overnight.

Situation: V 208/V 212 from Jersey with convoy via Granville to St Malo; M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 at Cherbourg after the Alderney night convoy; M 4005/M 4008 Guernsey–Jersey and back. V 206/V 213 replenishing equipment at St Malo; V 205 boiler cleaning; M 1208 had not sailed. Escorted tonnage: 3,325 GRT.

Intention for 3 February: V 206/V 213 at 07:00 without convoy St Malo–Granville, then at 10:00 with Adolph le Prince for Jersey and Diamant for Guernsey. M 4005/M 4008 with Helma Guernsey–Alderney, then at night with two coasters to Cherbourg. M 4000/M 4006/M 4007 on the 3/4 February night convoy with three coasters from Cherbourg via Alderney to Guernsey. V 208/V 212 from St Malo to Jersey with tug Anton, two other tugs and four barges, only in calm weather. V 205 boiler cleaning; M 1208 to sail when the 14th Submarine Chaser Flotilla left Guernsey. The flotilla’s departure notice was later withdrawn; M 1208 was therefore ordered not to sail to the rendezvous on 3 February.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0246.