2 March 1942 Part 2

2 March 1942 Security West reviews January convoy diary

Secret Command Matter, Gkdos 340 A4. Commander of Security West to Naval Group Command West; copies 3rd Security Division and St Malo Convoy Control Office. Submits the 21–31 January diary with the division’s comments.

Communications had again been discussed with the Commanding Admiral in France on 7 February, and instructions to improve them had been issued. The division’s assessment of insufficient escort strength was endorsed. Further sections could not be transferred from elsewhere in the Security West area because existing forces there could no longer cope with their own tasks. Convoys of twelve or more ships were too large and should be divided, increasing the already unmet demand for escorts.

Siebel ferries belonged to the Luftwaffe; the Navy had no authority over their artillery. The 2nd Patrol Flotilla had been particularly favoured in anti-aircraft armament and was the only patrol flotilla with two quadruple 2 cm mounts. Limited allocations prevented further mounts for the time being.

The 7 February conference again required signal stations at ports used for Channel Islands traffic, able to communicate with escort boats outside the harbours. The danger to leave transports was emphasised. From 1 March, leave traffic was to be diverted through St Malo and operate from there only at night. Signed for Commander of Security West by the Chief of Staff [signature uncertain].

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0239–0240, memorandum pages 1–2.