6 June 1942 Part 1

6 June 1942 St Malo convoy diary

St Malo: weak easterly winds, cloudless and hazy; visibility 5–10 nautical miles by day, five at night, morning haze, very calm sea. Convoys and patrol stations completed. 05:10: V 703/726 and convoy arrive Cherbourg. 06:55: V 208/213 and convoy anchor St Malo Roads. 10:30: ferries 108/110 leave alone for Granville.

Remark: when occupying Carmen and Caruso, we must reckon with enemy forces now being more frequently near these positions. The enemy has repeatedly detected our forces, most recently on 15 May. Although he did not attack during night 4/5 June because our boats evaded southward, we must consider whether stronger forces of our own, for example motor torpedo boats [S-Boote, amended by hand], could be kept ready at Cherbourg. They should be offered in support at least when the patrol boats make fighting contact with the enemy so frequently present there. Otherwise the patrol boats on station may be destroyed in a stronger enemy attack.

The detection station on Cap Lévi must be urged to greater attention: its reports rarely appear in radio traffic. It should report detections regularly to allow patrol boats timely evasive action. The Luftwaffe detection station said to be on Alderney should also be included in their protection.

Situation: V 703/726 Guernsey–Alderney with Antonius overnight, then Rosela, Schwalbe and Heinrich to Cherbourg and day convoy RO 8 to Guernsey, then ready; V 202/204 ready St Malo; V 208/213 finish Holland and Ad. le Prince convoy to St Malo, then ready; V 203/209 St Malo Roads overnight, then ready for night 6/7 June troop convoy with Minotaure, RO 45, Schokland and Derfflinger via Jersey to Guernsey; V 206/211 after Mikimaus station ready for Cherbourg–Alderney and night return convoys; V 205 eastward; ferries 108/110 alone to Granville, then collected convoy via Jersey to Guernsey. Tonnage 11,450 GRT.

Intentions for 7 June: V 703/726 alone Guernsey–Alderney, then Antonius night convoy to Guernsey and readiness; V 202/204 St Malo Roads overnight; V 208/213 ready St Malo; V 203/209 complete troop convoy, then ready; V 206/211 night Alderney–Cherbourg convoy, details not yet known, then ready Cherbourg; V 205 eastward [list types V 204]; ferries ready Guernsey.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0369.