2 January 1943 Part 3

2 January 1943 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North to north-west force 7–8, squally, scarcely easing during the day, cloudy, visibility 10 nautical miles, sea 5–6, strong northerly swell.

0400, Jersey, St Aubin Bay roads: M 4613/11 anchored with convoy. Remark: M 4613 did not make the ordered radio position report. Its commanding officer had previously also failed to supply a requested position report. He apparently does not appreciate that this is necessary for safe convoy control and any assistance required in the prevailing weather, even if he believes a shore station has already sighted him. The purpose of the radio enquiry is to clarify the situation promptly for all interested offices, avoiding delays in wired communications. The commanding officer is to be instructed on his return to Malo. He later telephoned that radio communication had been impossible because his entirely inexperienced crew was incapacitated by seasickness.

The continuing bad weather and heavy seas prevent all convoys and other tasks. 1010, Guernsey: Chiemsee arrived from Jersey. Remark: Harbour Commandant Jersey had reported that the whole convoy had entered Jersey or anchored in the roads. In fact Chiemsee had lost sight of the convoy in a squall and, unable to find it again, continued alone to Guernsey. Harbour Commandant Jersey was again reminded to report all convoy observations directly to the Convoy Control Office, so that the ship-reporting service could operate properly and avoid risks, including to independently proceeding ships.

To 3rd Security Division: Correction to 1 January, item 3: M 4611/13 entered Jersey with combined convoy owing to weather. Situation for 2 January: no convoys owing to weather. (1) V 703 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 209/12/10/07/08/13, A Group of 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, V 711/22 and M 4612 ready at Malo; (3) C Group of 46th Minesweeper Flotilla and M 4613/11 ready at Jersey. Escorted tonnage: none.

Intentions for 3 January, weather permitting: (1) V 703 ready at Cherbourg; (2) M 4611/13 Jersey–Brest; (3) M 4600/01/06 combined convoy Jersey–Guernsey; (4) M 4602/04/05/07 check Jersey roads with SSG; (5) V 207/08/10/13 night troop convoy of 3/4 January Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, then V 210/13 Guernsey–Cherbourg for degaussing; (6) V 209/12, M 4612 and V 711/22 ready at Malo; (7) A Group of 46th Minesweeper Flotilla Malo–Brest, ORG [abbreviation retained]. Draft signed Dr Diederichs; certified correct, Wunderlich.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0685–0686, original pages 3–4.