Naval operations in the Arctic

1941

The first arctic convoy was in August 1941 and was accompanied by the escort carrier Argus.
The destroyer HMS Bath was torpedoed by a U-boat August 19.

The Carriers Victorius and Furious struck at Petsamo and Kirkenes in July 1941. In September Victorius struck at targets in Bordö.

December 14-23 1941
Convoy HG76 32 merchantmen, nine escorts, three destroyers, and HMS Audacity an escort carrier. This convoy fought a running battle with twelve U-boats sinking five for the loss of only three merchantmen, a destroyer and HMS Audacity.

1941 Convoy list

  • PQ3 departed 9/11/41
  • PQ5 departed 27/11/41

    1942

    8th March
    The carrier HMS Victorious was operating with the Home fleet as deep cover for convoy PQ12. Her aircraft attacked Tirpitz who returned to port without attacking the convoy.

    July 2-13 1942
    The convoy PQ 17 was ordered to scatter to avoid Tirpitz who was rumoured to be at sea. This left the convoy ships exposed and 22 ships of the convoy were lost. 12 of them were sunk by bomber and torpedo bomber.

    September 12-18 1942
    Convoy PQ18 of 41 merchantmen set sail accompanied by the escort carrier Avenger. Only 10 merchantmen were lost from this convoy. Of these losses eight merchantmen were sunk on the 12 September. The other two ships were lost too torpedoes as the convoy reached its goal. Three U-boats were sunk by the convoy.

    1942 Convoy list

  • QP6 departed Russia 24/1/42
  • PQ12 departed 1/3/42
  • QP9 departed 21/3/42
  • PQ14 departed 8/4/42
  • QP10 departed 10/4/42
  • PQ16 departed 21/5/42
  • QP13 departed 27/6/42
  • PQ17 departed 27/6/42
  • PQ18 departed 2/9/42
  • QP14 departed 13/9/42
  • QP15 departed 17/11/42
  • JW51A departed 15/12/42
  • JW51B departed 20/12/42

    1943

    In February 1943 the carrier HMS Dasher joined convoy JW53, but retired after only a few days.
    The carrier HMS Chaser accompanied convoy JW/RA 57 February-March 1944. Her aircraft sunk two U-boats and claimed a shared kill with HMS Onslaught.

    1943 Convoy list

  • JW52 departed 17/1/43
  • RA52 departed 29/1/43
  • JW53 departed 15/2/43
  • RA53 departed 1/3/43
  • JW54A departed 15/11/43
  • RA54B departed 26/11/43
  • JW55A departed 12/12/43
  • JW55B departed 20/12/43
  • RA55A departed 23/12/43
  • RA55B departed 31/12/41

    1944 Convoy list

  • JW56A departed 12/1/42
  • JW56B departed 22/1/44
  • RA56 departed 3/2/44
  • JW57 departed 20/2/44
  • RA57 departed 2/3/44
  • JW58 departed 27/3/44
  • RA58 departed 7/4/44
  • JW61 departed 20/10/44
  • RA61 departed 2/11/44
  • JW62 departed 29/11/44
  • RA62 departed 10/12/44

    1944-1945

    March 1944-May 1945
    The aircraft of the four carriers Activity, Nairana, Vindex and Campania along with Tracker, Fencer and Striker sunk seven U-boats and shared in three more.

    1945 Convoy list

  • JW64 departed 3/2/42
  • RA64 departed 17/2/45
  • JW65 departed 11/3/45
  • RA65 departed 23/3/45
  • JW67 departed 12/5/45
  • RA67 departed 23/5/45

    January 16, 1945
    Deiatelnyi (ex HMS Churchil) torpedoed.

    Losses to planes

    German aircraft sunk a total of 32 ships in Russian convoys in 1942. No more ships were lost to German aircraft until 1945, and then it was only one.

    German shipping

    Tirpitz

  • 6th September 1943 Tirpitz and Scharnhorst in company bombarded shore installations on the island of Spitzbergen. This was the last time Tirpitz put to sea.
  • Later in September Tirpitz mined and needed extensive repairs.
  • April 3 1944 Tirpitz attacked by allied aircraft taking over 400 casulties.
  • August 1944 further attacks on Tirpitz, during which the carrier HMS Nabob was torpedoed.
  • Further strikes occurred on 15th September and Tirpitz retired to Tromsö.
  • October 29th 1944 Tirpitz struck and irrepareably damaged by British bombers.
  • November 12th 1944 Tirpitz sunk at Tromsö

    During the period of World war II, August 1941 to May 1945 1,526 merchant ships were fought through and back from North Russia ports. A total of 829 merchant navy officers were lost and 100 merchant ships sunk or damaged. The Royal Navy lost 1,044 men plus planes and shipping.
    Germany lost one battleship, one battlecruiser, three destroyers, thirty U-boats, and many aircraft. When Scharnhorst went down she took her crew of 2,000 with her.

    Naval Index 1