24 December 1942 Part 2

24 December 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South to south-west force 3–4, sea 2, visibility 5–8 nautical miles, variable cloud, slight swell from south-west.

0045, Guernsey: V 208/09 sailed for Malo with Minotaure. 0200, Cherbourg: FK 08/22 sailed for Alderney. 0240, Jersey: V 208/09 took La France into convoy for Malo. 0430, Alderney: FK 08/22 arrived from Cherbourg. 0530, Alderney: V 703/04 sailed with convoy for Cherbourg. 0540, Vieux Bank: V 208/09 anchored with convoy owing to fog. 0700, Malo: FK 27/30 sailed for Granville–Jersey. 0800, Cherbourg: V 703/04 arrived with convoy. 0900, Granville: FK 23 sailed with Paul et Janine for Jersey. 1005, Malo: V 208/09 arrived with convoy.

Under 3rd Security Division's order for special vigilance and readiness on the nights leading into 25, 26 and 27 December, I ordered three boats each night to be at two hours' notice, taking lock times into account. M 4600/12 were ordered to occupy position Terminus on the night of 25/26 December. There were no other tasks for the Christmas holidays. 1045, Granville: FK 27/30 continued to Jersey. 1340, Jersey: FK 23 arrived with Paul et Janine from Granville. 1420, Jersey: FK 27/30 arrived from Granville.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 23 December: item 6 add Rabat Jersey–Guernsey, then M 4613/12/07 returned towards Malo with Helma for Jersey. Special occurrence: attack by about 12–18 bombers on Malo lock, 23 December at 1413. Forty to fifty bombs, mostly in the water, some on St Servan. Dead: seven French people and one soldier. One shore anti-aircraft position and two lighters hit. No other military damage. No shoot-downs observed. [This updates the initial report of 23 December.]

Situation for 24 December: (1) V 703/04 with Gerfried, Tinda, Schwalbe, Hydra and Karel Alderney–Cherbourg; (2) V 208/09 early morning night troop convoy from Guernsey with Minotaure and from Jersey with La France to Malo; (3) V 210/12/09 at Malo, two hours' notice 1700–2400; (4) V 711/22 and B and C Groups, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, rest at Malo; (5) M 4245/46 and UJ 1402 with convoy 3331 at Malo, fitting out and rest. Escorted tonnage: 3,100 GRT.

Intentions for 25 December: (1) M 4245/46 and UJ 1402 with convoy 3331 Malo–Brest; (2) V 711/22 and V 208 at Malo, two hours' notice 0530–0900 and 1800–2400; (3) M 4600/12, night of 25/26 December, Finale [position as printed here; Terminus in preceding and following entries]; (4) remaining boats rest. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0671–0672 left, original pages 19–20.