29 January 1942 Part 1

29 January 1942 St Malo convoy diary

08:50: Cherbourg’s Sea Transport Officer reported that two boats of the 15th Patrol Flotilla were going to Alderney to collect a sick man, also bringing RO 8 to Cherbourg. 09:00: today’s intentions were impracticable because of weather. 10:00: after learning Claus Wilhelm would not leave Granville, I ordered V 208/V 212 from St Malo to Guernsey to stand by and escort some assembled vessels back when the weather improved. 14:45: M 1208 was requested and promised by the 3rd Security Division for 30 January. Convoy service had practically stopped for two days, so tomorrow’s dispositions aim to relieve congestion in the island harbours if weather improves. Consequently, the convoy requested by St Malo’s harbour commandant for tomorrow cannot be promised. M 4010/M 4003 were assigned to the Morlaix Siebel-ferry convoy; section leader Lieutenant Meinen in M 4010 was told that onward departure with the only partly seaworthy ferries depended on suitable weather and must be reported by wireless. Adequate supplies, particularly water, were to be carried for the tugs and ferries if needed.

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