31 December 1942 Part 3

31 December 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-east force 5–6, cloudy, visibility 8–10 nautical miles, sea 4–3, moderate easterly swell.

0130, Cherbourg: V 703/04 arrived with convoy from Alderney. 0445, Malo: M 4620/21/22/24 anchored in the roads after making the passage from Cap de la Hague with sweeping gear [handwritten correction].

Under 3rd Security Division's order for special vigilance on the nights of 31 December/1 January and 1/2 January, half the boats of the 2nd Patrol Boat Flotilla and 46th Minesweeper Flotilla lying at Malo were ordered to two hours' notice, taking lock times into account. V 711/22 were ordered to occupy Terminus on the night of 31 December/1 January and make a sweep to the eastern end of Titus. 1230, Malo: after obtaining weather reports I cancelled V 711/22's departure, since operation of their weapons in heavy seas could not be assured.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to 30 December: item 3, M 4623/25 returned to Cherbourg owing to M 4623's unserviceable propeller [number clarified in handwriting]. Escorted tonnage on 30 December: 1,400 GRT. Situation for 31 December: (1) V 703/04 at Cherbourg; V 703 unserviceable anchor windlass; (2) C Group, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, Jersey, unable to sail owing to weather; (3) A Group, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, complete equipment passage Cherbourg–Malo, then readiness; (4) M 4623/25 night passage of 31 December/1 January Cherbourg–Malo; (5) V 212/09/210/07 and M 4612 rest at Malo; (6) V 711/22 at Malo, occupation of position cancelled owing to weather; (7) V 208/13 and M 4613/11 at Malo, two hours' notice [boat numbers faint]. Escorted tonnage: none.

Intentions for 1 January 1943: (1) V 704 and M 4625 ready at Cherbourg; (2) C Group, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, equipment passage Jersey–Malo; (3) A Group, 46th Minesweeper Flotilla, at Malo, two hours' notice; (4) M 4623 and V 704 repairs at Cherbourg [704 appears in both items 1 and 4]; (5) V 212/09 night of 1/2 January at position Finale with a sweep to the western boundary, Chausey [last word faint]; (6) V 711/22 ready at Malo; (7) V 208/13 and 46th Minesweeper Flotilla rest at Malo; (8) V 207/10 night troop convoy of 1/2 January Jersey–Guernsey.

1300, Malo: M 4623/25, both again ready, intended to make their Cherbourg–Malo passage on the night of 31 December/1 January. 1500, Malo: I ordered M 4623/25 to take four boats lying at Cherbourg to Alderney and then proceed to Malo. Correction to intentions for 1 January: item 1, M 4623/25 with four coastal motor vessels Cherbourg–Alderney, then independently to Malo. 1800, Cherbourg: M 4623/25 sailed for Alderney with [first vessel name illegible], [second name uncertain, possibly Peter], Lorch and [fourth name illegible]. 2110, Alderney: M 4623/25 released convoy and continued to Malo. Signed Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0676–0677, original pages 29–31.