27 September 1942 Part 3

27 September 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North to north-west, light breeze; visibility 12–15 nautical miles; calm to slight sea; cloudy to fair.

0230, Jersey: V 705/209 released Robert Müller 8. 0430, Guernsey: V 705/209 arrived with convoy from Malo. Requests: (1) night troop convoy Robert Müller 8 Jersey–Malo; (2) night convoy La France and Minotaure with evacuees Guernsey–Malo; (3) night troop convoy Spinel Guernsey–Alderney; (4) night convoy Hydra and Schwalbe to Cherbourg; (5) daylight convoy Rheinland, Spes-Salutis, Iris and Paul et Janine, Guernsey–Jersey. I assign V 212/07 to (1), V 705/209 to (2), V 710/24 to (3) and (4), and M 4605/04 to (5).

0400, Malo: Alert State 1 ordered. Remark: In connection with the order I am told that an air attack has taken place at Morlaix, shipping has assembled on the English south coast, and a large convoy has been observed leaving there. 0830: Alert State 1 ended.

Remark: A considerable improvement in the weather has occurred; if it holds, the bridge convoy can be expected to proceed. My dispositions today also aim to concentrate the necessary escort vessels at Cherbourg. 1800, Malo: 8th and 12th Minesweeping Flotillas and three boats of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla report their intentions to sail this evening.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 26 September: Item 2 cancelled because of the weather. Corrected tonnage: 14,000 GRT.

Situation for 27 September: (1) V 713/02/UJ 1407/01 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 710/24 night troop convoy of 27/28 September Guernsey–Alderney; (3) V 705/209 complete night troop convoy of 26/27 September with Minotaure, La France, Kurland and Robert Müller 8, Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (4) V 212/07 night troop convoy of 27/28 September with Robert Müller 8, Jersey–Malo; (5) V 707 minor repairs at Malo; (6) V 208 out of war readiness at Malo until 7 October 1942; (7) M 4605/04 Guernsey–Jersey with Rheinland, Paul et Janine, Spes-Salutis and Iris; (8) M 4611/01/02 at 46th Minesweeping Flotilla’s disposal. Escorted tonnage: 5,200 GRT.

Intentions for 28 September: (1) V 713/02/UJ 1407/01 bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney if the weather improves; (2) V 710/24 night convoy of 27/28 September with Spinel Alderney–Cherbourg, then task (1); (3) V 705/209 night evacuee convoy of 27/28 September with Minotaure and La France Guernsey–Malo, then readiness; (4) V 212/07 shadow hospital ship Hüxter Malo–Jersey; (5) V 707 ready at Malo; (6) M 4605/04 ready at Jersey; (7) M 4611/01/02 at 46th Minesweeping Flotilla’s disposal.

1410, Jersey: M 4605/04 arrived with convoy from Guernsey. Remark: This convoy had initially not been requested from the Convoy Control Office, but was set in motion at Sea Transport Office Jersey’s instigation. I again point out that independent convoy dispositions must cease.

Hospital ship Hüxter is to go to Jersey and return on 28 and 29 September. I order V 212/07 to arrange the passage with convoy (1) so as to ensure arrival at Malo no later than 0500 on 28 September.

V 207/212 are then to begin the passage with Hüxter to Jersey at 0600. Hüxter will be placed in Malo roadstead this evening in readiness. 1915, Malo: Five boats of 8th Minesweeping Flotilla sailed for Le Havre. 2000, Guernsey: V 710/24 sailed with Spinel for Alderney. 2030, Malo: Six boats of 12th Minesweeping Flotilla sailed for L’Aberwrac’h on 3rd Security Division’s orders. 2110, Jersey: V 212/07 sailed with Robert Müller 8 for Malo. 2300, Alderney: V 710/24 arrived with Spinel from Guernsey. 2345, Guernsey: V 705/209 sailed with La France and Minotaure for Malo. 2400, Alderney: V 710/24 sailed with convoy for Cherbourg.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0523–0524, original pages 19–21.