31 May 1942 Part 1

31 May 1942 St Malo convoy diary

St Malo. Gentle to moderate NW breeze, slight sea, visibility 5–8 nautical miles, locally falling to two, rain. Planned convoys and patrol positions carried out. The barge convoy postponed for days is again cancelled because of the harbour commandant’s concerns about stormy weather. V 206/11 are ordered to Position Carmen during 31 May/1 June. Weather improves during the day; decreasing wind and rain forecast for the night. I propose sailing the barge convoy this evening, but the tugs cannot raise steam in time for the lock. Departure is intended for the morning of 1 June.

Situation: V 703/726 ready St Malo for night troop convoy 31 May/1 June with Minotaure and Holland to Jersey; V 203/02 St Malo roads at divisional disposal during 30/31 May, then ready; V 204/08 Jersey–St Malo continuation with Derfflinger and Ad. le Prince, then ready; V 206/11 on position during 30/31 May, Carteret–Cherbourg with Redon at daylight, then ready; V 207/09 ready St Malo; V 213 ready Cherbourg; SF 108/110 ready St Malo, convoy again cancelled because of stormy weather. Tonnage 1,890 GRT.

Intentions for 1 June: V 703/726 Jersey–Guernsey continuation with Holland; V 202/09 ready St Malo; V 204/08 replenishing supplies St Malo; V 206/11 on Position Mikado during 31 May/1 June [Carmen in narrative above]; V 213 ready Cherbourg for day convoy to Alderney, V 211 degaussing, exchange of V 211 and V 213; V 207/03 ready St Malo, minor repairs; minesweepers 1201/06 St Malo roads at divisional disposal during 31 May/1 June; SF 108/110 day convoy as planned for 26 May, also Sable d’Or to Jersey, weather permitting. Signed Dr Diederichs. [Scan 0357 repeats original pages 14–15 on 0356.]

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0356–0358.