29 July 1942 Part 2

29 July 1942 — St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: south-west to west, light to moderate breeze; cloudy to overcast, showers; visibility 8–10 nautical miles; smooth to slight sea.

01:30, Jersey — Ad. le Prince sailed to join V 213/08’s convoy. 01:40, Alderney — V 712/08 arrived with Holland from Guernsey; even with Oceanie there would therefore have been enough time. 06:05, St Malo — V 213/08 arrived with the night troop convoy. Livadia touched bottom passing the La Traversaine buoy. The buoy’s position was ordered checked and Livadia docked after passing the lock. 07:30, Alderney — V 712/08 sailed with Antonius for Cherbourg. 07:30, Guernsey — M 4605/04 sailed with a convoy for Jersey. 09:00, Cherbourg — Commander of the 3rd Security Division inspected V 204 and V 203, then visited hospitals. 09:50 — V 712/08 arrived with the Alderney convoy.

Convoy requests: (1) daytime Antonius Alderney–Cherbourg; (2) 100-ton floating crane Eule with two tugs Guernsey–Jersey; (3) night troop convoy Karel and Holstein, 200 men, St Malo–Jersey; RO 45, Hubbastone and Ad. le Prince, 350 men, to Guernsey. Hubbastone and Ad. le Prince were subsequently to go to Cherbourg. Corresponding orders were issued to V 712/08, M 4605/04 and V 712/24 respectively [last pair as printed; subsequent entries give V 711/24].

10:00, Tourlaville — Commander of the 3rd Security Division conferred with the Sea Commandant; final reports submitted to the Commander of Security Forces West. 11:45 — Commander departed. 12:30, Jersey — M 4605/04 arrived with the Guernsey convoy. 15:15 — M 4605/04 sailed with a convoy for Guernsey. 15:30, Cherbourg — V 712/08 sailed with a convoy for Alderney. Comment: Sea Transport Officer Jersey had independently assigned the boats to a convoy duty in the foregoing case; I raised an objection with the Sea Transport Chief. 16:00 — I began the return journey to St Malo via Valognes, visiting wounded from the recent actions there.

Report to the 3rd Security Division — correction to 28 July, item 1: V 712/08 left Oceanie at Guernsey contrary to orders; escorted tonnage reduced by 400 GRT. Situation for 29 July: (1) V 712/08 completing Guernsey–Alderney with Holland, then daytime Antonius Alderney–Cherbourg and return to Alderney with two vessels. (2) V 203 out of operational readiness at Cherbourg. (3) V 711/24 degaussing compensation and loop voyage, then night troop convoy 29/30 July Karel and Holstein to Jersey, RO 45, Hubbastone and Ad. le Prince to Guernsey. (4) V 213/08 completing Guernsey–Jersey–St Malo with Livadia, Minotaure and Ad. le Prince, then readiness. (5) V 206/11 and M 4611/01 St Malo readiness. (6) M 4605/04 Guernsey–Jersey with the 100-ton floating crane and two tugs, then readiness. Escorted tonnage: 10,300 GRT.

Intentions for 30 July: (1) V 712/08 daytime Alderney–Cherbourg. (2) V 711/24 completing the night troop convoy, then Guernsey–Alderney with Oceanie, Hubbastone and Ad. le Prince; night troop convoy 30/31 July Holland Alderney–Guernsey. (3) V 206/13 and V 211/08 St Malo readiness. (4) M 4601/11 daytime St Malo–Jersey. (5) M 4605/04 unescorted Jersey–Granville, then combined Granville–Jersey convoy.

18:30, Alderney — V 712/08 arrived with the Cherbourg convoy. 18:30, Jersey — M 4605/04 returned with the convoy because of M 4604’s machinery damage. 20:30, St Malo — I returned from Cherbourg. 23:30 — V 711/24 sailed with a convoy for Jersey and Guernsey. Comment: Ad. le Prince grounded at Grand Jardin with troops aboard, delaying the convoy’s departure until 03:15.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0425–0426 (original pages 27–28).