21 September 1942 Part 2

21 September 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South-west to west, fresh to strong wind and rain; clouds breaking towards evening, rain showers, wind veering north-west with gusts up to near gale; visibility outside showers 12–15 nautical miles; slight sea, later rather rough; medium-height, medium-length swell from west-south-west; barometer 1,000 mb.

0045, St Helier: M 4605/04 sailed to assist, each carrying a pilot. 0110, St Helier: Harbour-protection boats returned with 12 rescued people; further fishing cutters and harbour-protection boats later sailed. 0245: All boats returned. The island lifeboat made several further searches for the missing: five men missing. Diamant a total loss.

0210, Guernsey: V 710/24 sailed for Cherbourg. 0500, Cherbourg: V 713/02 arrived with Volkmar from Malo. 0630, Cherbourg: V 710/24 arrived from Guernsey.

Requests: (1) weather-dependent bridge convoy under item 2 of 20 September; (2) night convoy La France and Robert Müller 8 with evacuees, RO 8 and RO 21 in ballast, Guernsey–Malo; (3) onward escort Gabes and Nestor Jersey–Guernsey; (4) two coastal motor vessels, three tugs and five barges, Malo–Jersey. I assign V 209/07/710/24/UJ 1407/01 to (1) under secret order 775 of 20 September; V 212/08/M 4611 to (2). Convoys (3) and (4) are postponed during the morning.

For (1), I obtain the coming night’s forecast from Cherbourg weather station. After discussion with V 209’s commanding officer, I decide to proceed on the forecast of south-west to west force 3–4. Commander, Security Forces West sends secret teletype 5881 to Group West, copied to this office, requesting protection through immediate readiness of 5th E-boat Flotilla, and instructing me to report any cancellation directly to that flotilla because the weather is uncertain. 1440: Group West agrees by secret teletype 011374 A I.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Special occurrence: Steamer Diamant grounded, total loss; probably five dead. Corrections to 20 September: Item 5: G. Guynemer returned to Malo because of the weather. Item 6: Nestor and Gabes entered Jersey because of the weather; M 4605/04 continued with Diamant, turned back at Corbière, and entered Jersey; for Diamant see special occurrence.

Situation for 21 September: (1) V 209/07/710/24 ready at Cherbourg for the weather-dependent Krupp bridge convoy that evening to Alderney; (2) UJ 1407/01 protection for (1); (3) V 713/02 arrived with Volkmar at Cherbourg, ready; (4) V 212/08/M 4611 night convoy of 21/22 September, La France and Robert Müller 8 with 500 evacuees, RO 8 and RO 21, Guernsey–Malo; (5) V 707/05 ready at Malo; (6) M 4605/04 at Jersey, no onward convoy because of the weather, ready; (7) M 4602/01 at Malo, did not sail because of the weather. Escorted tonnage: 5,300 GRT [corrected on 22 September to none].

Intentions for 22 September: (1) V 209/07/710/24 complete bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, then V 209/07 Alderney–Malo and V 710/24 escort Alderney–Cherbourg; (2) UJ 1407/01 protection for (1), then patrol off Alderney; (3) V 713/02 convoys Alderney–Cherbourg; (4) V 212/08/M 4611 complete night convoy of 21/22 September Guernsey–Malo, ready; (5) V 707/05 shadow hospital ship Hüxter, Malo–Guernsey–Jersey; (6) M 4605/04 daylight convoy Jersey–Guernsey; (7) M 4602/01 combined convoy Malo–Jersey.

1945: In view of the worsening weather, I decide to postpone the bridge convoy. Later I receive secret short teletype 561 from the commander of 5th E-boat Flotilla stating that the weather makes support impossible. V 209’s commanding officer, the convoy leader, informs that flotilla of the cancellation. As V 713/02 has now reached Cherbourg, I send the no-longer-needed V 209/07 independently to Malo. 2000: By short teletype G 5537 I inform Sea Commandant Normandy, Harbour Commandants Cherbourg and Alderney, Commander, Security Forces West, 3rd Security Division and Group West of the postponement.

2005: Sea Transport Chief St Malo telephones with misgivings about conducting convoy (2) because of the weather. I do not share them. [Following time’s hour obscured, minute 10:] After consulting Harbour Commandant Guernsey, Sea Transport Chief invokes his right to issue instructions and orders cancellation. I issue the corresponding correction to the ship-reporting service. [Hour obscured, minute 15, Cherbourg:] V 209/07 sailed for Malo. [Hour obscured, minute 00:] In a secret teletype conversation, the Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg reports a seriously ill patient at Alderney who urgently needs transfer to the mainland. I order V 209/07 by short radio message 2306/32 to enter Alderney and embark the patient.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0518–0519, original pages 10–12.