24 July 1942 Part 1

24 July 1942 Commander Security West review of St Malo diary, 1–15 May

Secret Command Matter. Commander Security West, B.Nr. Gkdos 2544 A 4, 24 July 1942, to Naval Group Command West, copies to 3rd Security Division and Convoy Office St Malo. Submits the St Malo diary for 1–15 May 1942 with comments.

1. On 5 May, 11:50, page 7: the Favorit affair is being pursued; Naval Commander Channel Coast has been informed. 2. On 5 May, 15:00, lesson 1, page 8: the convoy office is instructed to ensure proper lock operation through sensible cooperation with the harbour commandant, involving Sea Transport Chief Channel Islands if necessary and contacting Naval Commander Channel Coast. 3. On 7 May, 12:00, remark, page 11: when difficulties arise, the convoy office is to arrange intervention by Sea Transport Chief Channel Islands.

4. On 12 May, 09:00, lesson, page 16: Epsilon positioning signals are certainly a valuable navigational aid in the Channel. The 2nd Patrol Flotilla’s proposal to replace S.B. measures with them goes too far. Enemy transmissions may interfere with the signals; they also have sources of error that prevent accurate navigation in all circumstances. [S.B. retained as abbreviated in the source.] 5. On 13 May, 14:35, page 18: the division, in consultation with Sea Transport Chief Channel Islands and Naval Commander Channel Coast, must ensure harbour commandants obey orders closing sea traffic.

Addendum for the division and convoy office, concerning points 2, 3 and 5: for all difficulties in Channel Islands traffic, especially friction with harbour commandants, Sea Transport Chief Channel Islands should be involved first and attempts made to obtain a remedy through him. Signed for Commander Security West by the acting chief of staff [signature not securely read].

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0346–0347.