26 October 1942 Part 2

26 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: Wind veering from south-east to north-west, fresh breeze to strong wind, gusts force 7–8; cloudy to overcast, rain showers; visibility 10–12 nautical miles; high to very high sea.

Further deterioration makes convoy tasks impossible. 0100, Malo: Following the storm warning just received, I order V 713 through Harbour Commandant Alderney: “Undertake passage to Guernsey only in weather acceptable for carrying a senior commander.” 1315, Malo: V 713’s commander requests permission by urgent radio message to sail with the general at 1500 from Alderney to Guernsey. I grant it by telephone if weather permits.

1330: Sea Commandant Normandy requests two patrol boats from Cherbourg to stop a small sailing boat observed near Cap de la Hague. I initially issue no sailing order, since it appears to be a fishing boat and, without further grounds for suspicion, does not justify a daylight deployment of two boats. 1400: Sea Commandant Normandy communicates that the boats are not required. 1515, Alderney: V 713/02 sailed with the general aboard for Guernsey.

1815: Sea Commandant Channel Islands personally reports by telephone that, after a squall reaching force 10/11, V 713/02, previously visible, can no longer be seen. I send an urgent radio message through the Naval Signals Officer ordering them to report their positions immediately; transmitted at 1827. 1915: Report received that V 713/02 have entered Guernsey “after the sailing boat was not found”.

Remark: This addition shows that some office tasked V 713/02 to search for the sailing boat, see 1330 and 1400. Since Sea Commandant Normandy expressly dispensed with the boats, and I also gave no such order, I am having it established which unauthorised office issued the deployment order.

No convoys are possible because of weather. The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Corrections to 25 October: Item 1: V 713/02 independently Cherbourg–Alderney to collect a senior commander. Items 2, 3, 4 and 8 cancelled because of weather; no tonnage.

Situation for 26 October: (1) V 713/02 Alderney–Guernsey with general, weather permitting; (2) V 711/29/212/13 ready at Cherbourg; (3) V 714/210 ready at Guernsey; (4) V 207/708, UJ 1411/02 and M 4605/04/02/01 ready at Malo; (5) V 209 boiler cleaning at Malo; (6) V 208 fitting out at Malo; (7) M 4611/12 ready at Jersey. No tonnage.

Intentions for 27 October: (1) V 713/02 convoy Guernsey–Alderney if weather improves; (2) V 212/13 convoy Cherbourg–Alderney if weather improves; (3) V 711/29 ready at Cherbourg; (4) V 714/210 ready at Guernsey; (5) V 207/708 night convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey if weather improves; (6) V 209 fitting out at Malo; (7) UJ 1411/02 and M 4605/04/02/01 ready at Malo; (8) M 4611/12 ready at Jersey; (9) V 208 degaussing-loop test.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0578–0579, original pages 16–17.