9 October 1942 Part 2

9 October 1942 St Malo Convoy Control Office

Weather: Westerly, strong wind to near gale, strongly gusty; cloudy, isolated showers; visibility outside showers 10–12 nautical miles; moderate to fairly rough sea; medium-length swell from the west.

0120, Alderney: V 713/02 arrived with convoy from Cherbourg.

Remark: Spinel’s onward troop convoy to Guernsey cannot proceed because the men on leave are not ready, despite timely notification of Harbour Commandant Alderney by the Sea Transport Office Cherbourg. The convoy is therefore postponed by 24 hours.

0130, Guernsey: V 209/724 sailed with Minotaure and Holland for Jersey–Malo. 0415, Jersey: V 209/724 took La France into the convoy. 0900, Malo: V 209/724 arrived with convoy from Jersey/Guernsey. Because of bad weather the barge convoys scheduled for today are cancelled. Only the Spinel night troop convoy Alderney–Guernsey remains to be carried out; V 713/02 receive orders for it.

The following was sent to 3rd Security Division. Situation for 9 October: No convoys because of weather. (1) V 713/02 at Alderney; (2) UJ 1407/01, V 210 and M 4612 at Cherbourg; (3) V 209/12/13, V 710/24/14/08, M 4611/05/04/01 and 4602 at Malo. Escorted tonnage: none. [The completed overnight convoy is recorded above; this is the daily situation return as printed.]

Intentions for 10 October: (1) V 713/02 night troop convoy of 9/10 October with Spinel, Alderney–Guernsey, then ready; (2) V 710/24/209 ready at Malo; (3) V 210, M 4612 and UJ 1407/01 ready at Cherbourg for bridge convoy to Alderney; (4) V 212/13 combined convoy Malo–Jersey–Guernsey; (5) V 714/08 independently Malo–Granville, then combined convoy Granville–Jersey–Guernsey; (6) M 4611/05/04/01/02 resting at Malo.

2100, Malo: Radio message received that the Spinel convoy cannot proceed because of weather. It is postponed again.

Signed: Dr Diederichs.

T-1022 Roll 2423, scans 0543–0544, original pages 15–16.