6 January 1943 Part 2

6 January 1943 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: South-west force 5–6, overcast to cloudy, rain, visibility 3–5 nautical miles, sea 3–4. 0020, Cherbourg: Naval Commandant N ordered fire on detected enemy targets; targets disappeared [following direction cut off at page edge]. 0120, Cherbourg: V 210/703 arrived with convoy from Alderney. Remark: nothing further could initially be communicated from here concerning the whereabouts of the French fishing cutters bound for Cherbourg.

Convoy requests: (1) night troop convoy from Malo, Holland to Jersey, Rob. Müller 8 to Guernsey; (2) Dorothea Weber and Franka Cherbourg–Alderney; (3) night troop convoy Lena and Tinda Alderney–Guernsey; (4) combined convoy of tugs and barges Jersey–Malo. Assigned: (1) V 711/22; (2), then (3), V 703/04, V 210 having crushed her stern while coming alongside the coal pier in Cherbourg; (4) V 207/08.

0913, Granville: FK 01/03 sailed for Guernsey. 0930, Jersey: FK 07/11 sailed for Guernsey. 1000, Jersey: combined convoy Jersey–Malo cancelled owing to weather. 1100, Cherbourg/Guernsey: by this time five S-boats had entered Cherbourg and one Guernsey. 1200, Jersey: FK 01/03 arrived from Granville. 1330, Cherbourg: nine French fishing cutters arrived from Jersey [as recorded here]. 1440, Malo: teletype G 132 S received from Naval Commandant N reporting nine French fishing cutters entering Cherbourg at 1330 on 5 January. Remark: this report contradicts Harbour Commandant Cherbourg's report [5 January, 2115]. Enquiry now states only six fishing cutters entered Cherbourg. Naval Commandant N is asked to investigate the whereabouts of the others. 1440, Jersey: FK 01/03 sailed for Guernsey. 1450, Guernsey: FK 07/11 arrived from Jersey.

Correction to situation for 5 January: item 2 V 207/08 only Malo–Jersey owing to weather; item 3 add Claus Wilhelm Guernsey–Alderney. Escorted tonnage for 5 January increased by 250 GRT.

Situation for 6 January: (1) V 210 minor repairs at Cherbourg; (2) V 207/08 ready at Jersey, combined convoy to Malo postponed 24 hours owing to weather; (3) V 703/04 with Weber and Franka Cherbourg–Alderney; (4) V 213 ready at Cherbourg; (5) V 212/09 rest at Malo; (6) V 711/22 night troop convoy from Malo, Holland to Jersey and Rob. Müller 8 to Guernsey; (7) C Group of 46th Minesweeper Flotilla and M 4612 fitting out at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 1,240 GRT.

Intentions for 7 January: (1) V 210 minor repairs at Cherbourg; (2) V 207/08 combined convoy Jersey–Malo; (3) V 703/04 night troop convoy of 6/7 January, Tinda and Lena Alderney–Guernsey; (4) V 213 rest at Cherbourg; (5) V 212/09 and M 4600/01/06/07 ready at Malo; (6) V 711/22 complete night troop convoy of 6/7 January Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, evening return convoy; (7) M 4612/02/04/05 with Normand Malo–Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey.

1615, Guernsey: FK 08/22 sailed for Alderney. 1650, Malo: Sea Transport Office Jersey reported that a boat containing about eight to ten people from Schokland had been sighted from Sorel Point, Jersey. I ordered V 207/08 to sail and search. 1700, Jersey: V 207/08 sailed as ordered. 1730, Malo: V 711/22 sailed with night troop convoy for Jersey–Guernsey. 1800, Malo: Sea Transport Office Jersey stated that the sighting had been a false report. V 207/08 were ordered through Corbière to return. 1900, Jersey: V 207/08 returned. 1910, Alderney: FK 08/22 arrived from Guernsey. 2000, Guernsey: FK 01/03 arrived from Jersey. 2200, Cherbourg: V 703/04 sailed with Weber and Franka for Alderney. 2215, Jersey: V 711/22 detached Holland, continuing with Rob. Müller 8 to Guernsey. 2245, Aubin Bay roads: Holland anchored. Draft signed Dr Diederichs; certified correct, Wunderlich, Lieutenant Commander.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0690–0691, original pages 12–14.