3 November 1942 Part 3

3 November 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South-east to south, gentle to moderate breeze; cloudy to fair, smooth sea; later freshening to fresh breeze–strong wind, slight to moderate sea, overcast with precipitation.

0150, Jersey: V 207/08 arrived with convoy from Malo. 0550, Guernsey: V 714/08 arrived with convoy from Malo. 0745, Malo: I travel with Chief of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla to Nostang for flotilla chiefs’ conference with Commander 3rd Security Division.

Requests: (1) combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (2) La France night troop convoy Jersey–Malo; (3) Minotaure night troop convoy Guernsey–Malo; (4) Georgi, Lena and Holland night troop convoy Guernsey–Alderney; (5) Dorsch, Gerfried and Weber Cherbourg–Alderney; (6) return convoy Alderney–Cherbourg. Orders: (1) V 207/08, proceeding independently Jersey–Granville; (2) V 712/22, which are to go to Malo to replenish ammunition; (3) V 714/08; (4) UJ 1411/02, afterwards independently Alderney–Cherbourg for tasks there; (5–6) V 212/13.

Remark: Since Malo does not have enough ammunition for the boats at Jersey, I have it brought from Cherbourg by lorry. V 712/22 go to Malo for this purpose and combine this task or trip with an escort task, after having replenished their stock of 2-cm ammunition at Jersey. Hispania cannot be repaired at Jersey but is ready to proceed at a reduced speed of six knots, having partly replenished her steam-pipe insulation. I intend to send her to Cherbourg during the night of 5/6 November. I inform 3rd and 2nd Security Divisions by secret command teletype.

1145, Jersey: V 207/08 sailed for Granville.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to situation for 2 November: item 2, held back by agreement with 3rd Security Division.

Situation for 3 November: (1) V 711/29 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 212/13 convoy Cherbourg–Alderney and back; (3) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy of 2/3 November Malo–Guernsey, then night troop convoy of 3/4 November with Minotaure Guernsey–Malo; (4) V 207/08 complete night troop convoy of 2/3 November Malo–Jersey, then independently Jersey–Granville, followed by combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) UJ 1411/02 night troop convoy of 3/4 November Holland, Georgi and Lena Guernsey–Alderney; (6) V 210 still S-equipment repair at Malo; (7) M 4611/21/22 in Malo Bay for mine-warfare course; (8) V 712/22 night troop convoy of 3/4 November La France Jersey–Malo; (9) M 4600/01/02/04/05/06/12 ready at Malo, entered owing to weather; (10) V 209 again war-ready; (11) M 4014/13 resting at Jersey. Escorted tonnage: 8,000 GRT.

Intentions for 4 November: (1) V 711/29/213/12 evening bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, weather permitting; (2) UJ 1411/02 independently Alderney–Cherbourg, evening protection for item 1; (3) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy of 3/4 November Guernsey–Malo; (4) V 207/08 ready at Guernsey; (5) V 712/22 complete night troop convoy of 3/4 November Jersey–Malo, then replenish ammunition also for M 4013/14, return later; (6) M 4600/02/01/04/05/06/11/12/21/22 ready at Malo; (7) V 209/10 shadow Huxter Malo–Guernsey; (8) M 4013/14 resting at Jersey.

1430, Granville: V 207/08 arrived from Jersey. 1430, Malo roads: M 4611/12/21/22 arrived from training trip with mine-warfare course. 1500, Granville: V 207/08 sailed with Normand, Tourane and Rabat for Jersey, Maas, Rheinland and Comptoir 51 for Guernsey. 1730, Jersey: V 712/22 sailed to the roads with La France.

1800, Cherbourg: V 212/13 sailed for Alderney with Dorsch, Weber and Gerfried. 1830, Guernsey: V 714/08 sailed with Minotaure for Malo. 1845, Jersey: V 207/08 released Normand, Tourane and Rabat, then continued to Guernsey with the remaining convoy. 2000, Cherbourg: M 4620/23/24/25 sailed on equipment passage to Malo with ORG deployed. 2100, Alderney: V 212/13 arrived from Cherbourg with Dorsch, Weber and Gerfried. 2100, Guernsey: V 207/08 arrived with Maas, Rheinland and Comptoir 51 from Granville. 2200, Jersey: V 712/22 sailed with La France for Malo.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0596–0598, original pages 5–7.