Arctic convoys ww2 books

There were 78 convoys between august 1941 and may 1945, sailing via several seas of the atlantic and arctic oceans, with two gaps with no sailings between july and. This is a list of allied convoys during world war ii by region. The northern route of less than 2,500 miles was practical, but it crossed the cruellest sea of all, the arctic ocean. The ordeal of pq17 naval history and heritage navy. Originally published in 1955, it was also released by fontana books in 1960. Woman stunned to find almost 80yearold photo of her dad in ww2 book in oxfam as featured by. Jack patterson says the german uboats which tried to sink the arctic convoys were all part of war. It is marvellous that british arctic convoy veterans are.

The arctic convoys played a critical part in allowing our russian allies to turn the tide of ww2 decisively in favour of the allies. The experiences of one scot on the arctic convoys, the vital world war two missions that ended. Dec 1, 2017 the arctic convoys and the second world war. The author of a number of novels, his historical studies include arctic convoys 19411945, malta convoys 1941943, the real cruel sea. During the last four years of the second world war, the western allie. Joseph stalin, the soviet leader, demanded help and britain and her allies responded by sending vital supplies of munitions, tanks, planes, raw materials and food by sea, around northern norway to the soviet ports of. Re world war ii, woodman is to the british merchant marine what lundstrom is to the naval war in. Tomorrow sees the opening of an exhibition marking the gruelling conditions. May 18, 2015 the arctic convoys to the soviet union ussr were vital to both sides involved in world war two.

Mar 26, 2019 the convoys drained the british war effort. The arctic convoys of world war ii were oceangoing convoys which sailed from the united kingdom, iceland, and north america to northern ports in the soviet union primarily arkhangelsk archangel and murmansk in russia. Arctic convoy heroes can begin applying for their ww2. Convoys, north americauk this is a handy site in that it shows the convoys in chronologial order according to date, rather than according to the designations of the convoys, with number of ships and losses as per info in arnold hagues the allied convoy system. Apr 03, 2017 convoys pq7a, with two ships, and pq7b, with nine, were heading to russia when the commander of u4 spotted convoy pq7a and moved in for the attack, sinking the 5,5ton steamer waziristan, the first merchantman sunk on the arctic route. For details of halcyon class minesweepers that took part in the russian convoys click here. The speed of the blitzkrieg had stunned the world since 1939, and to many it appeared that the axis powers would quickly attain another victory. The arctic convoys of world war ii were oceangoing convoys which sailed from the united kingdom, iceland, and north america to northern ports in the soviet union primarily arkhangelsk archangel and murmansk, both in modernday russia.

Convoy routing codes more routing codes a section of s site. The flash of thousands of guns lit the horizon as the germans and their axis allies launched operation barbarossa against the soviet union on 22 june 1941. Probably not the best written war history, it is a great collection of first person accounts but cries out for someone to put the events into context. Arctic convoys 19411945 by woodman, richard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Every escorting warship was a ship which could have been fighting elsewhere on the warfront. Jul 31, 2014 buy voices from the arctic convoys by peter c. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The convoys unloaded more than 4 million tons of equipment into the arctic harbors. Arctic convoys 1941 1945 by richard woodman abebooks.

They are mostly about the famous pq17 convoy, the biggest arctic convoy disaster in july 1942. For an alphabetical listing of convoy codes, see list of allied convoy codes during world war. Men on the arctic convoys had to endure the worst journey in the world winston churchill but the journey to the soviet arctic ports of murmansk and archangel kept the red army supplied with vital military equipment and food to fight the germans on the eastern front. Veterans of the bitter arctic convoys delivering aid to russia in world war 2 can today begin applying for a medal to recognise their service. Worldwide search for ww2 russian arctic convoy veterans. The arctic convoys to the soviet union ussr were vital to both sides involved in world war two. Ww2 aircraft, fighter aircraft, aircraft carrier, fairey swordfish, heavy cruiser, war thunder, royal air force, royal. In august 1941 allied convoys commenced running to the arctic port of murmansk with the exception of several months in 1943 the convoys to the soviet union ran from 1941 until the wars end. For an alphabetical listing of convoy codes, see list of allied convoy codes during world war ii.

The arctic convoys inspired other books also, including alistair macleans hms ulysses which tells the story of a royal navy cruiser leading a convoy to murmansk with vital supplies for the. The author describes every convoy involved in the infamous murmansk run. It also has yearly statistics showing the number of convoys sailing each year. Arguing about the necessity of the convoys is easy, knowing that all the soviet war industries were displaced far away behind the urals, but in 1941, when in the very first day of operation barbarossa, most of the soviet air force was destroyed by the. There were 78 arctic convoys between august 1941 and may 1945. List of allied convoys during world war ii by region wikipedia. The convoys were coded depending on their route initially pq for outbound, qp for homebound. Voices from the arctic convoys august 23, 2018 it has been a long time coming as i have been working on aviationbased books for some time, but have also been working on a second book of arctic stories, of which i am about threequarters of the way through. Convoys pq7a, with two ships, and pq7b, with nine, were heading to russia when the commander of u4 spotted convoy pq7a and moved in for the attack, sinking the 5,5ton steamer waziristan, the first merchantman sunk on the arctic route.

For a comprehensive reading list on arctic convoys, provided by the imperial war museum, click herepdf file. Feb 25, 2015 2 arctic convoy veterans, denis pickett and nelson foyle remember life on board the arctic convoy ships, music, games and camaraderie. The arctic convoys of world war ii gets 4 stars for bringing a little known arena of conflict to life. The invasion of russia soon led to the introduction of the russian or arctic convoys with their dreadful conditions and after some months had elapsed, high losses in men and ships.

Petersburg in russia from 29 august to 2 september for the unveiling ceremony of the memorial in memory of the arctic convoys sailors 19411945. Famous convoy operations like those of pq12 and pq17, british carrier raids, germansoviet destroyer skirmishes along the arctic coast all of these and more are included. Mar 12, 2007 the author of a number of novels, his historical studies include arctic convoys 19411945, malta convoys 1941943, the real cruel sea. This is a painstaking account of the arctic convoys of wwii. Arctic convoys sailors 19411945 royal naval association. While not focused on the armed guard, this useful volume contains a brief narrative history of each convoy, as well as a list of participating merchant ships, information on warships escorting each convoy, and.

Allied convoys and naval surface operations in arctic waters 19411945. There are a lot of books written about the convoys to murmansk and archangel. Convoy lists the ships in jw 62 and a few other arctic convoys, including the escorts. Nonetheless, a total of 78 arctic convoys successfully transported significant. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Medal and clasp for arctic convoy and bomber veterans. List of allied convoys during world war ii by region. World war ii the arctic convoys on the murmansk run hubpages. For example, convoys sailing for the soviet union were titled pq and those leaving the soviet union qp. Although there were two gaps with no sailings between. The arctic convoys of world war hitler called norway the zone of destiny for nazi germany because convoys from churchills britain and roosevelts united states supplied stalins soviet russia with critical equipment and foodstuffs during the darkest days of the german invasion. A 5minute history of arctic convoys imperial war museums. Convoys supplying the soviet union began in august 1941 with pq1 and initially saw little german opposition to these arctic shipments.

Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The queen has approved the design for the arctic star a full campaign medal, which is being cast this week. August 20, 2014 london 11 british veterans of the arctic convoys, accompanied by their family members, the mayor of southwark and a team from itv, will visit st. The arctic convoys of the second world war identify medals. Books inspired by the arctic convoys the most well known writers of these topics came from different allied countries. There are a lot of personal accounts by survivors which make the book even more interesting. Stunning photos reveal brutal conditions during ww2 arctic. Veterans who served on arctic convoys and in bomber command during world war ii are to be recognised with a new medal and award. Arctic convoy heroes can begin applying for their ww2 campaign medal now 26 february 20. While previous books on those convoys have detailed merchant ships lost, uboats sunk, etc. From 1943, the codes changed to jw and ra outbound and homebound respectively. The destination of the convoys was not clear but the ideal target was murmansk in the kola peninsula. Dec 03, 2018 the arctic convoys inspired other books also, including alistair macleans hms ulysses which tells the story of a royal navy cruiser leading a convoy to murmansk with vital supplies for the. These convoys had specific code names to track where they were going and coming from.

With the efficient rail network that covered the soviet union, it was the fastest stop to unload equipment and make it go across the country, until it reached frontline units murmansk was at first a very dangerous stop for the convoys as finland also joined the war against the ussr as a co. The critical role of the arctic convoys in wwii the covering forces of the pq17 convoy british and american ships at anchor in the harbor at hvalfjord, iceland, may 1942. Ive got some understanding about how grim and dangerous the convoys were, hence my surprise at the possibility me might have volunteered, and there was never much family conversation about the war, which i always assumed was because he was an objector and. The arctic convoys of world war ii general military michael. On 27 june 1942, allied convoy pq17 sailed eastbound from iceland, headed. Unfortunately i dont know what ships he sailed in on these trips. Ive read much world war ii history, but very little about the arctic convoys.

Jul 15, 2019 the critical role of the arctic convoys in wwii the covering forces of the pq17 convoy british and american ships at anchor in the harbor at hvalfjord, iceland, may 1942. Tirpitz and the battle for the arctic convoys the history of the german battle fleet in world war ii is largely one of struggle against hopeless odds, punctuated by brief but dramatic clashes as far. World war ii the arctic convoys on the murmansk run. The arctic convoys of world war ii general military. I have written two books telling the saga about those events. Ive read several books about pq 17 by far the most wellknown of the convoys, as it was one of the. Russian convoys mike holdoways section on the convoys to russia all convoys are included. Arctic convoys ww2 my grandfather was a chief engineer the merchant navy, and i understand from my mum that he sailed to murmansk 3 times in the arctic convoys of world war 2. Here below are books mentioned about these arctic convoys, ordered by publication date. Churchill became extremely unpopular for supplying russia. A complete history of the arctic convoys would be impossible in one book without becoming a touch turgid, so edwards approach here is to single out a select few, some of the most eventful, and it was that is worked to great effect. Ww2 arctic convoy crew lists general question thanks ask for the comments so far. In total, 104 allied merchant ships and 18 warships were sunk on the arctic convoys. In total, 104 allied merchant ships were sunk with the arctic convoys, along with 18 warships.

The opening chapter gives a background of what is to follow, and the ensuing chapters do a good job of describing the battle between the german surface, air, and submarine fleets vs. Arctic convoy covers the allied attempts to push convoys through the norwegian and barents seas while german aircraft, submarines and surface ships try to stop them. This book is technical, so be prepared for a somewhat involved read. The attackers surprised the soviets and within weeks their tanks pushed halfway to moscow. The merchant ships were escorted by the royal navy, the us navy and the royal canadian navy. This is an excellent reference book for a world war ii historian or anyone else interested in this area of the war. About 1,400 vessels delivered muchneeded war supplies to the soviet union under a lendlease program. Winston churchill called the allied arctic convoys to russia between 1941 and 1945 the worst journey in the world. The merchant navy in the battle of the atlantic 19391943 and a five volume history of the british merchant navy. A worldwide appeal is seeking to find surviving veterans of world war twos russian arctic convoys. The arctic convoys of world war ii were oceangoing convoys which sailed from the united.

Hms ulysses was the debut novel by scottish author alistair maclean. May 15, 2015 the arctic convoys of world war ii were oceangoing convoys which sailed from the united kingdom, iceland, and north america to northern ports in the soviet union primarily arkhangelsk archangel and murmansk, both in modernday russia. Richard woodman has done an excellent job describing the arctic convoys from churchills political decisionmaking to the stokehold of tramp steamer at murmansk. The route passed through a narrow funnel between the arctic ice pack and german bases in norway, and was very dangerous, especially in winter when the ice came further south. The road to russia is an excellent book, telling clearly and accurately and in an easily comprehensible and interesting fashion, of the arctic convoys of 1942. One of the lessons hitler had learned from the first world war, was to avoid fighting on. There were 78 convoys between august 1941 and may 1945, sailing via several seas of the atlantic and arctic oceans, with. Arctic convoys on 22 june 1941, germany invaded the soviet union bringing the ussr into the second world war on the allied side. Nov 11, 20 there were 78 arctic convoys between august 1941 and may 1945. Convoys to russia with the returning convoys, in chronological order. Macleans experiences in the royal navy during world war ii provided the background and the arctic convoys to.