6 November 1942 Part 2

6 November 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: North-west, fresh to moderate breeze; cloudy to fair; visibility 8–10 nautical miles, light coastal haze in the morning; slight to moderate sea, strong to moderate north-west swell.

0040, Jersey: V 714/08 released La France and continued with convoy to Guernsey. 0145, Guernsey: V 207/08 arrived with convoy from Alderney. 0200, Guernsey: V 712/22 and M 4013/14 continued with Hispania and Ronwyn to Cherbourg. 0345, Guernsey: V 714/08 arrived with convoy from Malo. 0640, Cherbourg: M 4620/21/22/23 arrived from Malo. 0800, Cherbourg: V 712/22 and M 4014/13 arrived with convoy from Guernsey.

Requests: (1) night troop convoy Minotaure, Holland and Rob. Müller 8 from Guernsey, La France from Jersey, to Malo; (2) night troop convoy Georgi and Lena Guernsey–Alderney and back; (3) night convoy Tinda, Antonius and Karel Cherbourg–Alderney. Orders: (1) V 207/08; (2) V 714/08; (3) V 212/13, afterwards independently to Guernsey.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Correction to situation for 5 November: item 2, delete Holland [not named in the surviving item 2 above]; item 6, add Comptoir 51 and Rabat Jersey–Guernsey. The tonnage for items 2 and 6 is included in the situation for 6 November.

Situation for 6 November: (1) V 711/29 and UJ 1411/02 ready at Cherbourg; (2) V 212/13 convoy Cherbourg–Alderney, then independently Alderney–Guernsey; (3) V 712/22 and M 4014/13 complete night convoy of 5/6 November Hispania and Ronwyn Jersey–Guernsey–Cherbourg; (4) V 207/08 complete night troop convoy of 5/6 November Lena and Georgi Alderney–Guernsey, then night troop convoy of 6/7 November Minotaure, Holland and Rob. Müller 8 from Guernsey, La France from Jersey, to Malo; (5) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy of 5/6 November Malo–Jersey–Guernsey, then night troop convoy of 6/7 November Lena and Georgi Guernsey–Alderney; (6) V 209/10 resting at Malo; (7) C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla and B and C groups of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla ready at Malo. Escorted tonnage: 4,000 GRT.

Intentions for 7 November: (1) V 711/29/12/22 and UJ 1411/02 bridge convoy Cherbourg–Alderney if weather permits; (2) V 212/13 ready at Guernsey; (3) V 207/08 complete night troop convoy of 6/7 November Guernsey–Jersey–Malo, then rest at Malo; (4) V 714/08 complete night troop convoy of 6/7 November Guernsey–Alderney, then ready; (5) V 209/10 independently Malo–Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (6) C group of 44th Minesweeping Flotilla at Malo for navigation course; (7) M 4611 ready at Malo; (8) C group of 46th Minesweeping Flotilla equipment passage via Ida 1, Ida 4 and Ida 11 to Granville.

1430: 3rd Security Division’s order received for convoy of tanker Monsun Cherbourg–St Nazaire. The Convoy Control Office is to provide a pair south of Guernsey and another north of Lézardrieux for protection. I therefore order V 714/08 to grid BF 3574, to remain from 2150 until 0030 on 7 November, keeping the route clear. M 4600/11 at Malo are ordered to lower-half grid BF 2926, to provide protection there from 0000 to 0500 on 7 November.

1815, Malo: M 4611/00 sailed for lower-half grid 2926. 2045, Guernsey: V 714/08 sailed for grid 3574. 2100, Cherbourg: V 212/13 sailed with convoy for Alderney. 2110, Malo: Order from 3rd Security Division received to release V 714/08 to Brest on 7 November after completion of their task. 2355, Alderney: V 212/13 released convoy and proceeded to Guernsey.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0601–0602, original pages 10–11.