4 April 1942 Part 1

4 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: SW weak to moderate breeze, visibility ten nautical miles, calm to slight sea. V 209 has restored seaworthiness with onboard resources and is ordered to come to St Malo with two harbour-protection boats; it reports intended departure at 19:30. Today’s intentions are carried out. Olwe’s captain reports that machinery repair will take about eight days, so protection is unnecessary until completion is reported. There are no escort tasks for 5 April, allowing some rest.

17:00: order received for heightened readiness from 21:00. Neither the harbour commandant nor the infantry battalion knows its reason. I therefore refrain from anchoring two or three boats in St Malo Roads, where I could distribute them according to circumstances and need. With the uncertain security situation after dark I consider it appropriate to remain in harbour, but go aboard for the night. V 209 is ordered to stay in Jersey; it could reach St Malo only around midnight and would have to enter without lights, which could particularly cause misunderstandings.

Lesson: an order for heightened readiness must give its reasons, so that, if necessary in agreement with the harbour commandant and relevant Army authorities, I can decide on employing my boats. Their artillery could be decisive on the roads, whereas remaining in harbour leaves it useless.

Situation: V 211/13 Jersey–St Malo with Olwe; V 206/08 complete the troop convoy from 3 April item 7; V 1510/704 return Guernsey–Cherbourg without convoy; V 209 repair Jersey; V 204/07/010 ready St Malo [identifier as typed]; V 212 boiler cleaning St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage 3,250 GRT. Intentions for 5 April: V 206/08 ready Guernsey; V 209 ready Jersey; V 204/07/10/11/13 ready St Malo; V 1510/704 ready Cherbourg; V 212 boiler cleaning St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0304.