7 April 1942 Part 1

7 April 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: SW strong wind, visibility two to five nautical miles, moderate to fairly rough sea. Gaulois’s convoy, intended ready at 09:00, is delayed two hours because of inadequate preparation of the tow Stadu–Gaulois; it sails at 11:00. The delay and strong wind and fairly rough sea make Cherbourg before dark uncertain. I order V 207/13 to put into Guernsey with the convoy. A troop convoy from Guernsey via Jersey to St Malo is requested tonight; V 204/11 are assigned, as V 211 must return to St Malo for coal and degaussing compensation. Weather worsens further and slows Gaulois’s convoy; it gets only as far as Jersey.

Situation: V 206/08 ready Guernsey; V 209/10 ready St Malo; V 207/13 daytime St Malo with Stade and Gaulois in tow [Guernsey struck through]; V 204/11 complete previous night’s convoy to Guernsey, then at night RO 8 for Jersey and Holland for St Malo; V 1510/704 Cherbourg–Alderney without convoy, then RO 8 Alderney–Guernsey and readiness; V 212 boiler cleaning St Malo; V 205 dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage 3,150 GRT.

Intentions for 8 April: V 206/08/07/13 ready Guernsey, possible night Guernsey–Alderney convoy; V 209/10/04 ready St Malo; V 1510/704 Guernsey–Cherbourg with Stade and Gaulois; V 212 boiler cleaning; V 211 coaling and compensation; V 205 dock Cherbourg. V 204/11 remain at Jersey with the troop convoy because of strong wind and rough sea.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0305–0306.