25 July 1942 Part 4

25 July 1942 — St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: south-west, moderate to fresh breeze; light precipitation; visibility 10–15 nautical miles, 3–5 in precipitation; slight to moderate sea.

00:45, Alderney — V 203/02 arrived with a convoy from Cherbourg and sailed for Position Caruso, also recorded at 00:45. 01:15, St Malo — Teletype from the 3rd Security Division: torpedo boat voyage cancelled. 01:30, Guernsey — V 712/08 sailed with the night convoy for Alderney. 02:00, Guernsey — M 4601/11 arrived with the remainder of the Jersey convoy. 02:25, Jersey — V 213/08 detached Ad. le Prince and continued to Guernsey. 04:30, St Malo — M 4605/04 arrived with H 2 from Guernsey. 05:20, Guernsey — V 213/08 arrived with the St Malo convoy. 06:45, Alderney — V 712/08 arrived with RO 21, Irene and Holland from Guernsey. 07:30 — V 712/08 sailed with a daytime convoy for Cherbourg; V 203/02 returned from position [Caruso, replacing the typed Brummer].

Irene’s very low speed made her unsuitable for Alderney service. The Sea Transport Chief was informed and asked to withdraw her and substitute a faster vessel.

10:30 — Requests from Cherbourg: (1) RO 21 Alderney–Jersey and Georgi Alderney–Guernsey; (2) night troop convoy Minotaure Guernsey–St Malo; (3) Ad. le Prince Jersey–St Malo; (4) daytime Alderney–Cherbourg. Allocations: (1) V 203/02; (2) V 213/08; (3) V 206/11; (4) V 712/08.

13:00, St Malo — R 179/81/80 sailed for Guernsey, intending to sail at 23:00 for Ouistreham. 13:00 — Commander of Security Forces West reported the torpedo boats delayed twenty-four hours and expected at any time today. 14:00 — I asked the 3rd Security Division whether the positions and intentions remained as yesterday; this was assumed to be the case.

Situation for 25 July: (1) V 712/08 completing the night troop convoy RO 21, Irene and Holland Guernsey–Alderney, then Alderney–Cherbourg with Heinrich, Schwalbe, Meteor and Franka. (2) V 711/24 in dock at St Malo. (3) V 203/02 at Position Caruso [amended], then Alderney readiness, then night troop convoy 25/26 July with Georgi to Guernsey and RO 21 to Jersey. (4) V 213/08 completing St Malo–Jersey–Guernsey with Ad. le Prince, RO 8 and Minotaure, then night troop convoy 25/26 July Minotaure Guernsey–St Malo. (5) V 206/11 Jersey readiness, then Ad. le Prince Jersey–St Malo on 25/26 July. (6) M 4605/04 completing the night Guernsey–St Malo convoy with D. H. 2 and two tugs, then readiness. (7) M 4611/01 Guernsey readiness. (8) R 179/80/81 St Malo–Guernsey at midday, then at 23:00 to Ouistreham. Escorted tonnage: 4,800 GRT.

Intentions for 26 July: (1) V 712/08 at Position Caruso [amended], then Cherbourg readiness. (2) V 711/24 in dock at St Malo. (3) V 203/02 completing Alderney–Guernsey–Jersey, then unescorted Jersey–Guernsey, then night troop convoy 26/27 July Guernsey–Alderney with RO 8, Georgi and Oceanie. (4) V 213/08 completing Guernsey–St Malo, then readiness. (5) V 206/11 completing Jersey–St Malo, then V 206 docking for bottom cleaning. (6) M 4605/04 St Malo readiness. (7) M 4611/01 Guernsey readiness.

18:45, St Malo — Two teletype messages from the 3rd Security Division concerning the 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla’s Le Havre–St Malo voyage; message from that flotilla requesting pilot and lock arrangements. 20:15 — Coded teletype via Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg to the 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla: possible encounters on 26 July with (1) two outpost boats at Position Brummer; (2) three minesweeping boats about 02:00 east of nautical grid points 354 and 326; (3) two outpost boats and one steamer about 03:30 south-east between points 330 and 332; (4) between Ida 2 and Ida 1 after 04:30, possible overtaking of two outpost boats and one steamer. I notified the Harbour Commandant and booked pilot, lock and berth.

22:30, Jersey — V 206/11 sailed with the troop convoy for St Malo. 22:45, Alderney — V 203/02 sailed with the troop convoy for Guernsey. 23:00, Guernsey — V 208/13 sailed with a convoy for St Malo. 23:00, Cherbourg — V 712/08 sailed for Position Carmen. [Position names vary between the amended intentions and the sailing record.]

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0421–0422 (original pages 18–20).