Arctic (Polar) Convoys, North Convoys, Allied Convoys, 1941–1944

Arctic (Polar) Convoys, North Convoys, Allied Convoys, 1941–1944 – were special convoys formed from carriers, supply vessels, and guards to maintain safe transportations. The convoys were launched in the White, the Barents, and the Kara seas (up to the Vilkitsky Strait) during WWII to deliver supplies under the lend-leased program from the North Atlantic to the USSR, to escort supply vessels to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk via the shortest route – about 2000 miles, but an extremely dangerous one. The convoys ran from Lock Ewe (Scotland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Hvalfjörður (Iceland), Arkhangelsk, and Murmansk (USSR). The route was divided into two areas: the Royal Navy provided the transit to the Bear Island, then the escort with ships and aviation support was performed by the Belomorskaya (White Sea) Military Flotilla of the Northern Fleet, which defended the Arctic routes. Usually ACconsisted of a dozen merchant ships and several guards. Other forces of the Northern Fleet were involved to...