8 March 1942 Part 1

8 March 1942 St Malo convoy diary

Weather: light winds, visibility 2–3 nautical miles, very calm sea. The especially favourable weather led to an order for V 211/V 212, ready at Cherbourg, to sail immediately for Guernsey with tug Ernst, a Siebel ferry, tug Gourry (to be towed by a patrol boat), and B 125 S with Siebel ferry 110. Lieutenant at Sea Lösch then telephoned that no tugs were available at Cherbourg. Kapitänleutnant Geithold ordered the convoy held for the time being.

Granville’s harbour captain was again told to request convoys in good time and notify the convoy office of ship movements which could proceed without patrol boats under Commanding Admiral France Gd 7837.

Situation reported to the division: V 207/V 213 St Malo–Brest for boiler cleaning and repairs. V 211/V 212 Cherbourg–Alderney with convoy and back; vessel names not yet known. V 210 ready St Malo. V 204/V 206 ready St Malo, night 8/9 March with Claus Wilhelm carrying troops for Jersey and Adolphe le Prince for Guernsey. V 209/V 208 Guernsey–Cherbourg with Livadia, H 7 and H 8. V 205 in dock Cherbourg. Escorted tonnage: 11,647 GRT.

Intention for 9 March: V 207/V 213 boiler cleaning and demagnetisation Brest. V 211/V 212 and V 209/V 208 Cherbourg–Guernsey with two Siebel ferries and tug Gourry, each towed by a patrol boat; Gourry to remain at Guernsey, V 211/V 212 back to Cherbourg. V 209/V 208 then to tow two Siebel ferries Guernsey–St Malo. V 210 ready St Malo; V 204/V 206 ready Guernsey; V 205 in dock Cherbourg.

T-1022 Roll 2423, PG 38000, scans 0276.