27 October 1942 Part 2

27 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-west, fresh breeze to strong wind, slight gusts; overcast to cloudy, showers; visibility outside showers 12–15 nautical miles; rough to high sea.

Following decisive improvement in the weather, the following requests can now be carried out: (1) night troop convoy Karel, Guernsey–Alderney; (2) Georgi, Spinel, Schwalbe, Tinda, Hydra and Antonius, Cherbourg–Alderney; (3) Weber, Xaver Dorsch and Gerfried, Alderney–Cherbourg; (4) night troop convoy from Malo, La France for Jersey, Rob. Müller 8, Holland and Minotaure for Guernsey; (5) combined convoy Jersey–Guernsey. Orders: V 713/02 for (1), then without convoy to Cherbourg, since weather appears to permit the bridge convoy the following night; V 212/13 for (2) and (3); UJ 1411/02 for (4); M 4611/12 for (5), afterwards to Cherbourg for demagnetisation.

1130, Jersey: M 4611/12 sailed without combined convoy for Guernsey, since the continuing swell still prevents taking the barges.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 27 October: (1) V 713/02 night troop convoy of 27/28 October Karel, Guernsey–Alderney, then independently to Cherbourg; (2) V 212/13 evening convoy Cherbourg–Alderney with Georgi, Spinel, Schwalbe, Tinda, Hydra and Antonius; (3) V 711/29 ready at Cherbourg; (4) V 714/210 ready at Guernsey; (5) M 4605/04/02/01 and V 207/708 ready at Malo; (6) UJ 1411/02 night troop convoy of 27/28 October from Malo, La France for Jersey, Rob. Müller 8, Minotaure and Holland for Guernsey; (7) V 209 ready at Malo; (8) V 208 degaussing-loop test; (9) M 4611/12 combined convoy Jersey–Guernsey, then independently Cherbourg [convoy subsequently omitted, as above]. Escorted tonnage: 6,500 GRT.

Intentions for 28 October: (1) V 713/02/11/29 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 212/13 convoy Alderney–Cherbourg; (3) V 714/210 night troop convoy of 28/29 October Guernsey–Jersey–Malo; (4) M 4605/04/02/01 combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) UJ 1411/02 finish night troop convoy of 27/28 October Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (6) V 207/08/09/708 ready at Malo; (7) M 4611/12 complete Guernsey–Cherbourg passage.

1500, Guernsey: M 4611/12 arrived from Jersey. 1800, Cherbourg: V 212/13 sailed with convoy for Alderney. For the intended sailing of 5th E-boat Flotilla and aircraft-support boats in the Channel Islands area I report possible encounters through Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg. 1900, Guernsey: M 4611/12 sailed for Cherbourg. 1930, Guernsey: V 713/02 sailed with Karel for Alderney. 2030, Alderney: V 212/13 arrived with convoy from Cherbourg. 2100, Alderney: V 212/13 sailed with Gerfried, Weber and Xaver Dorsch for Cherbourg. 2100, Malo: UJ 1411/02 sailed with night troop convoy for Jersey–Guernsey.

2145: Urgent radio message warns that an attack by surface forces is expected in the Cherbourg–Alderney area. Remark: I speak to Sea Commandant Normandy and find my assumption confirmed: the urgent message was not merely transmitted by Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg, but originated there substantively. I consider the reported detection of “unknown units” to concern friendly vessels. Sea Commandant Normandy has no indication of danger to the convoys under way, so I initially issue no orders to them.

2145, Malo: M 1201/05/06/07 sailed on an equipment passage to Cherbourg. 2145, Malo: Notice received that the E-boats’ departure is cancelled. 2230, Malo: Call from OZ Wimille requesting immediate positions of friendly convoys. These are supplied. Remark: It is not apparent why OZ Wimille did not already have the positions: they were reported daily to 2nd Security Division. Further detection reports establish with certainty that these are the friendly convoys; I also report this in response to 3rd Security Division’s telephone enquiry. Subsequently all convoys and independent pairs under way reached their destinations as planned. 2300, Alderney: V 713/02 released Karel and continued to Cherbourg.

2340, Cherbourg: V 212/13 arrived with convoy from Alderney.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0579–0581, original pages 17–19.