24 October 1942 Part 2

24 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: West, moderate to fresh breeze, gusts to force 6; cloudy, isolated showers; visibility outside showers 10–12 nautical miles; medium-height, medium-length swell; slight to moderate sea.

0100, Guernsey: V 207/09 sailed with night troop convoy via Jersey for Malo. 0345, off Jersey: V 207/09 took La France into convoy. 0630, Malo: UJ 1411/02 arrived with Amethyst from Cherbourg. Weather deteriorated again. I postponed convoy task 2 from 23 October, since task 1 had already been cancelled. Remark: The convoy, already known on the morning of 23 October, was requested again during the day by Harbour Commandant Alderney, through Naval Group West’s Operations Staff. Why this incorrect channel was chosen is unknown.

0830, Malo: The combined convoy planned for this afternoon with M 4611/12, which are themselves to proceed to Cherbourg for demagnetisation, is cancelled because of weather. 0845, Granville: V 714/210 sailed with convoy for Jersey–Guernsey. Requests: (1) combined convoy of tugs and barges Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, cancelled as above at 0830; (2) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey.

(3) M 4611/12 independently Malo–Cherbourg for demagnetisation; (4) five coasters Alderney–Cherbourg [direction as printed here]; (5) Georgi night troop convoy Alderney–Guernsey. I assign V 210/714 to (2); order departure at 1800 for (3); V 711/29 for (4) and (5).

0900, Malo: V 207/09 arrived with convoy from Guernsey–Jersey. 1240, Jersey: V 714/210 released convoy and continued only with Rheinland to Guernsey.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 23 October: Item 2 cancelled because of weather; item 3 with Amethyst [item number as printed]. Tonnage: 400 GRT less. Situation for 24 October: (1) V 713/02/212/13 ready at Cherbourg, V 212 under repair; (2) V 711/29 five-coaster convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, then night troop convoy of 24/25 October Georgi, Alderney–Guernsey; (3) V 714/210 combined convoy from Granville with Tourane and Comptoir 66 to Jersey, Rheinland, Pointe à Pitre and Pondicherry to Guernsey; (4) V 207/09 finish night troop convoy Guernsey–Jersey–Malo, ready; (5) M 4605/04/02/01 ready and resting at Malo; (6) UJ 1411/02 complete night passage Cherbourg–Malo, ready; (7) M 4611/12 independently Malo–Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage: 2,500 GRT.

Intentions for 25 October: (1) V 713/02/212/13 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 711/29 finish night troop convoy Georgi, Alderney–Guernsey; later night troop convoy of 25/26 October Guernsey–Alderney; (3) V 714/210 ready at Guernsey; (4) M 4611/12 complete independent Malo–Cherbourg passage, demagnetisation; (5) M 4602/01 ready at Malo; (6) UJ 1411/02 fitting out at Malo; (7) V 207/09 ready at Malo; (8) M 4605/04 combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey.

1645, Guernsey: V 714/210 arrived with Rheinland from Jersey. 2000, Malo: M 4611/12 sailed for Cherbourg. Remark: Weather is becoming progressively worse. 2345, Malo: Order received to establish increased defensive readiness from 0600 on 25 October.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0574–0575, original pages 12–13.