30 November 1942 Part 5

November 1942 undated day Third Security Division review of the second October St Malo diary

3rd Security Division, reference G 7454 A II. Secret. To Commander Security West, two copies; for information, St Malo Convoy Control Office. Subject: St Malo Convoy Control Office war diary for 16–31 October 1942. Previous correspondence: none. One enclosure.

One copy of the diary for 16–31 October is submitted as enclosure. The first copy was submitted directly by the Convoy Control Office. The questionnaire on the performance of mobilised and auxiliary ship formations will follow on receipt.

Remarks on page 18, 27 October, 2145 and 2230: Subsequent enquiries by the Chief of the Convoy Control Office established that Naval Signals Officer Cherbourg’s warning of an expected attack by enemy surface forces in the Cherbourg–Alderney area was radioed on the basis of detections of “unknown targets”. OZ Cherbourg did identify these as friendly, but OZ Wimille disagreed and caused the radio message to be sent. A prior enquiry to the Convoy Control Office would have established that these were friendly vessels. It is not known here why OZ Wimille became involved at all.

Signed on behalf of the commanding officer [signature not securely read].

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0589–0590. The November heading leaves the day blank. Enclosure endorsement refers to BSW G 14928 of 2 December 1942; the later forwarding sheet is dated 27 December.