28 January 1942 Part 1

28 January 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Worsening weather made the day's intentions impracticable. The entire leave transport to and from the islands was brought to a standstill. The diary again pressed for completion of Amethyst and Turkoise at Le Havre. At 15:30 the 3rd Security Division's convoy for the Siebel ferries lying off Morlaix could not sail because neap tides had lowered the harbour water level at St Malo and M 4010 could not leave its berth even with strong tug assistance. Situation: V 206/V 213 returned from the Granville run to Jersey because of weather; M 4000/M 4007/M 4006 at Cherbourg; M 4005 at Guernsey; M 4010/M 4003 reported on passage to Morlaix, thence to escort Siebel ferries to Brest [departure subsequently reported delayed]; V 208/V 212 fitting out; V 205 undergoing boiler cleaning; M 4008 ready at Malo. Increasing the already excessive loading of the available vessels to deal with the leave-traffic backlog further endangered the troops in winter and spring weather. At 18:45 the situation and intentions were issued to the 3rd Security Division.

Intention for 29 January, weather permitting: M 4000/M 4007/M 4006 to escort Cherbourg-Alderney and return at night; V 206/V 213 from Jersey to Guernsey with Derfflinger, Karel, Nestor and Comptoir 51; if that task was completed, V 206/V 213 and M 4005 with Adolph le Prince, Favorit and possibly Holstein for Jersey, M 4005 to be released at Point 27 for Malo; V 208/M 4008 to leave Malo at 08:00 and Granville at 16:30 with a troop transport for Jersey; V 212 fitting out, V 205 boiler cleaning. Supplements: M 4010/M 4003 delayed by poor water conditions; replace M 4008 with V 212 and replace V 212 with M 4008 in the intentions.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scan 0236, original pages 8–9.