4 November 1942 Part 2

4 November 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: East to south-east, moderate to fresh breeze; overcast, rain, only occasional breaks in the cloud; moderate sea; visibility 5–6 nautical miles.

0410, Alderney: V 212/13 sailed with Tinda for Cherbourg. 0600, Malo: V 209/10 sailed to shadow Huxter to Guernsey. 0640, Alderney: UJ 1411/02 released convoy and continued to Cherbourg. 0645, Cherbourg: V 212/13 arrived with Tinda from Alderney. 0845, Cherbourg: UJ 1411/02 arrived from Alderney. 0845, Nostang: I begin return journey to Malo with chiefs of 12th and 46th Minesweeping Flotillas.

Requests: (1) shadow Huxter Malo–Guernsey; (2) night troop convoy Georgi, Holland and Lena Alderney–Guernsey; (3) bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney. Orders: (1) V 209/10; (2) V 207/08; (3) UJ 1411/02 and V 212/13, protected by V 711/29. Further tasks: (4) return passage V 712/22 Malo–Jersey; (5) C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla training trip for navigation course.

1100, Malo, remark: Sea Transport Officer Cherbourg reports bridge convoy again not ready, as the replacement tug is also damaged. Tug Baldan is expected to be repaired by 7 November. I report accordingly to 3rd Security Division and Commander Security West. 1245, Malo: M 4430 sailed with six Hummer boats for training trip.

Situation for 4 November: (1) V 711/29/212/13 and UJ 1411/02 ready at Cherbourg; no bridge convoy owing to renewed tug breakdown; (2) V 207/08 independently Guernsey–Alderney, then night troop convoy Georgi and Holland Alderney–Guernsey; (3) V 209/10 shadow Huxter Malo–Guernsey; (inserted item) M 4611/12, M 4605/06 and M 4600/01/02/04 ready at Malo; (4) V 714/08 resting at Malo; (6) M 4013/14 resting at Jersey; (7) C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla in Malo Bay with navigation course; (8) V 712/22 replenish ammunition at Malo, then passage Malo–Jersey. Escorted tonnage: 1,735 GRT.

Intentions for 5 November: (1) V 711/29/212/13 and UJ 1411/02 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 207/08 complete night troop convoy of 4/5 November Alderney–Guernsey; (3) V 209/10 shadow Huxter Guernsey–Malo; (4) V 714/08 night troop convoy of 5/6 November Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) V 712/22 and M 4013/14 evening convoy Hispania Jersey–Cherbourg; (6) 46th Minesweeping Flotilla ready at Malo.

1730, Guernsey: V 207/08 sailed for Alderney. 2150, Alderney: V 207/08 arrived from Guernsey. 2200, Alderney: V 207/08 sailed with Georgi, Lena and Holland for Guernsey.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0598–0599, original pages 7–8.