27 February 1942 Part 2

27 February 1942 Third Security Division reviews first-half February convoy diary

Secret, Third Security Division, G 1078 AIV/Br., 27 February 1942, to Commander of Security West in duplicate, copy St Malo Convoy Control Office. Subject: diary 1–15 February. The diary had been submitted directly to Security West. Repeatedly criticised shortcomings persisted.

Holland sailed from Granville for Guernsey or Jersey on 1 February without the convoy office’s knowledge or consent. Coasters Schleswig Holstein and Hermann sailed unescorted from Alderney for Cherbourg and were destroyed shortly afterwards by English surface forces [the cited diary entry is 4 February; the loss is not dated here as that day]. Naval Commander Channel Coast was again asked to require escorts arranged solely by St Malo and early notice of all movements. Security West also requested Granville’s harbour commandant’s recall. Channel Coast confirmed that the coasters sailed contrary to orders, and was examining whether an absolute escort requirement could operate without intolerable delay; meanwhile escorts were to be provided where possible even for less important transports. A clear prohibition on unescorted transport was needed to prevent recurrence.

Harbour commandants must not alter convoy dispositions except in compelling emergencies. Poor telephone and teleprinter links between Cherbourg, Granville, St Malo and the islands caused or aggravated these failures. Alderney’s planned small radio station would help. Signal stations at St Helier, St Peter Port, Port Braye, St Malo and Granville were urgent. The Plemont station appeared to have ceased operating and lay six nautical miles from the red route; Sark, four nautical miles away, might be better.

On escort strength and armament, the division referred to its earlier review, G 696 of 14 February [number as printed in this memorandum]. The failure to provide fighter protection was a new difficulty, hopefully temporary and linked to the strong fighter formations supporting the battleships’ transfer from Brest to home waters. Correction: the 5 February 02:00 entry should read “L’Abervrach”, not “L’abre Wrath”. Signed Hans Hartmann.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0254–0256.