9 November 1942 Part 2

9 November 1942 Security Forces West review of the September diary

3 September, 1420, and special report pages 28–31: The loss of a tug and barge in suddenly worsening weather was reported in detail in Security Forces West's G 11580 of 21 September 1942. For the reasons given there, the convoy leader bears no blame. The division rightly stresses close contact between convoy leaders and local weather stations. However, marginal conditions frequently must be used, and wartime limitations leave the weather service with inadequate data, making forecasts not always reliable. Ultimate responsibility for sailing or postponement therefore remains with the convoy leader.

9 September, 1556, remark on page 15: Earlier occurrences support the Convoy Control Office's suspicion. Departures from Cherbourg should therefore, where possible, be timed after darkness so that the vessels' courses cannot be observed from shore. Signature [not securely legible].

T-1022 Roll 2423, scan 0511. Commander, Security Forces West, secret command reference 3951 A4, dated 9 November 1942; received by Naval Group West on 14 November. To Naval Group Command West/Admiral France, Operations Group; copied to 3rd Security Division and St Malo Convoy Control Office. The diary of 1–15 September and divisional comments are submitted.