Convoy PQ 14 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Convoy PQ 14
Part of Arctic naval operations of the Second World War
German occupied Norway (in green) along the flank of the sea route to northern Russia
Date 8–19 April 1942 Location Arctic Ocean Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Allies	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Stuart Bonham Carter	Hans-Jürgen Stumpff
Units involved
PQ 14 and escorts	Luftflotte 5
Strength
26 merchant ships varying number of escorts
Casualties and losses
1 ship sunk 16 ships turned back with ice damage	1 Junkers Ju 88

Convoy PQ 14 was a group of ships traveling together for safety. This particular convoy was sent from Britain by the Allies to help the Soviet Union during World War II. These convoys had been sailing since August 1941, often using the dark Arctic winter to hide.

However, in early 1942, Germany sent more aircraft and ships to Norway. This made the journey much more dangerous. Convoy PQ 14 sailed in April 1942, when the days were getting longer. On April 10-11, thick fog and ice damaged 16 ships, forcing them to turn back to Iceland. On April 16, German planes and submarines attacked, sinking one merchant ship. The remaining seven ships finally reached Murmansk, a port in Russia. This meant the Allies would need to send even larger convoys later to deliver all the needed supplies.

What Were Arctic Convoys?

Helping Allies in World War II

Russian map showing Arctic convoy routes from Britain and Iceland, past Norway to the Barents Sea and northern Russian ports

After Germany invaded the USSR in June 1941, Britain and the Soviet Union agreed to help each other. The United States also joined in. This help was part of a program called "Lend-Lease." It meant the Allies would send important supplies to the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union needed a lot of military equipment. Their factories were being moved, so they couldn't make enough planes and tanks. Britain and the US promised to send hundreds of aircraft and tanks every month. They also sent raw materials, food, and medical supplies.

Why the Arctic Route Was Important

The route to the Soviet Union's northern ports, like Murmansk, was very difficult. It involved sailing through the Arctic Ocean. This area has some of the stormiest waters in the world. The sea is freezing cold, and spray can quickly turn to ice on ships. This ice had to be removed constantly to stop ships from becoming too heavy and tipping over.

In winter, the polar ice spreads south, forcing ships closer to German air bases in Norway. In summer, the ice melts, allowing ships to sail further out. But in summer, there's almost constant daylight, which makes it easy for enemy planes to spot convoys. The mixing of cold and warm water in the Arctic also creates thick fog, which could hide convoys but also make navigation tricky.

German Forces in Norway

Germany wanted to stop these convoys. They sent more planes and ships to Norway. The German air force, called the Luftwaffe, especially its unit called Luftflotte 5, was ordered to attack the convoys. They also worked with the German navy, the Kriegsmarine.

The Luftwaffe used long-range planes like the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Kondor to find convoys. Once a convoy was spotted, they would try to attack it continuously. They also had Junkers Ju 88 bombers.

Junkers Ju 88 D-2 reconnaissance plane, similar to those used by Germany in Norway during the war.

The Journey of Convoy PQ 14

Getting Ready

Convoy PQ 14 was made up of 26 merchant ships from Britain, the US, the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, and Panama. They gathered in Scotland and then sailed to Iceland on March 26, 1942. From Iceland, they would begin their dangerous journey to Russia.

The convoy had many escort ships to protect it. These included destroyers, minesweepers, and anti-submarine trawlers. Larger warships, like the cruisers HMS Edinburgh and Norfolk, and even battleships like HMS Duke of York and King George V, were part of the distant escort. An aircraft carrier, HMS Victorious, also provided protection.

Trouble with Ice and Fog

Jan Mayen island, near where the convoy faced ice and fog.

Convoy PQ 14 left Iceland on April 8, 1942. On the night of April 10-11, the convoy ran into thick fog that lasted for 30 hours. Then, they sailed through dangerous pack ice for 12 hours. The ships were thrown into chaos, and many were badly damaged by the ice.

Because of the damage, 16 ships and two minesweepers had to turn back. They couldn't continue the journey. Only eight merchant ships and their escorts were able to press on towards Murmansk.

German Attacks Begin

For a few days, the convoy had no trouble from German forces. But on April 15, east of Bear Island, German reconnaissance planes spotted the convoy. Small air attacks began.

On April 16, the attacks became more serious. The merchant ship Empire Howard was hit by three torpedoes from a German submarine, U-403. The ship sank in less than a minute. Many crew members were killed by the shockwaves from the depth charges dropped by the escorting trawler Northern Wave, which was trying to attack the U-boat. Another trawler, Lord Middleton, rescued 18 men, but nine of them, including the convoy leader, later died.

Reaching Murmansk

On April 17, Soviet destroyers joined the convoy to help with the escort. German bombers, Junkers Ju 88, arrived, but the ships' gunners shot one down. The bombers failed to hit any ships. Later, a British destroyer, Bulldog, attacked a German U-boat.

On April 18, the weather cleared, and more British minesweepers joined the convoy. A strong gale blew up on the final leg of the journey. Finally, on April 19, the seven remaining ships entered Kola Inlet and docked at Murmansk. Even there, they were attacked by German bombers while being unloaded.

What Happened Next?

Even though seven ships made it, many had to turn back because of ice damage. This meant fewer supplies reached the Soviet Union than planned. The Allies knew they would have to send even bigger convoys during the summer. This was a concern because the longer daylight hours in the Arctic summer made convoys easier to spot and attack. The British Navy predicted that future convoys would face "serious losses."

Ships of Convoy PQ 14

Merchant Ships

Merchant ships in Convoy PQ 14

Name	Flag	GRT	Notes
RFA Aldersdale (1937)	United Kingdom	8,402
Andre Marti (1918)	Soviet Union	2,352	Turned back to Iceland, then to UK
Arcos (1918)	Soviet Union	2,343	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Atheltemplar (1930)	United Kingdom	8,992	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
Botavon (1912)	United Kingdom	5,848	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Briarwood (1930)	United Kingdom	4,019	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
British Corporal (1922)	United Kingdom	6,972	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
City of Joliet (1920)	United States	6,167	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Dan-Y-Bryn (1940)	United Kingdom	5,117	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
Empire Bard (1942)	United Kingdom	3,114	Heavy lift ship damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Empire Howard (1941)	United Kingdom	6,985	Sunk by U-403 16 April
Exterminator (1924)	Panama	6,115	Detached 12 April to Convoy QP 10
Francis Scott Key (1941)	United States	7,191	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Hegira (1919)	United States	7,588	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Hopemount (1929)	United Kingdom	7,434	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
Ironclad (1919)	United States	5,685	Detached to Convoy QP 10
Minotaur (1918)	United States	4,554	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Mormacrio (1919)	United States	5,940	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Pieter De Hoogh (1941)	Netherlands	7,168	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Seattle Spirit (1919)	United States	5,627	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Sukhona (1918)	Soviet Union	3,124	Damaged by ice, turned back to Iceland
Trehata (1928)	United Kingdom	4,817	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
West Cheswald (1919)	United States	5,711	Arrived Murmansk 19 April
West Gotomska (1918)	United States	5,728	Damaged by ice, detached to Convoy QP 10
Yaka (1920)	United States	5,432	Arrived Murmansk 19 April, later bombed and beached

Escort Ships

Convoy escorts

Name	Flag	Type	Notes
HMS Amazon	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Beagle	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Bedouin	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Belvoir	Royal Navy	Escort destroyer	12–13 April
HMS Beverley	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Bulldog	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Campanula	Royal Navy	Corvette	12–19 April
Chiltern	Royal Navy	ASW trawler	8–12 April
HMS Duke of York	Royal Navy	Battleship	12–18 April
Duncton	Royal Navy	ASW trawler	12–13 April
Escapade	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Eskimo	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Faulknor	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Foresight	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Forester	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–19 April
Gossamer	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	18–19 April
Harrier	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	18–19 April
Hebe	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	8–13 April
Hussar	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	18–19 April
Kent	Royal Navy	Heavy cruiser	12–20 April
HMS King George V	Royal Navy	Battleship	12–18 April
Ledbury	Royal Navy	Escort destroyer	12–18 April
Lord Austin	Royal Navy	ASW trawler	8–19 April
Lord Middleton	Royal Navy	ASW trawler	8–19 April; rescued 18 crew from Empire Howard on 16 April; nine survivors
Matchless	Royal Navy	Destroyer	Escort 12–18 April
Middleton	Royal Navy	Escort destroyer	12–18 April
Niger	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	18–19 April
Nigeria	Royal Navy	Light cruiser	12–18 April
Norfolk	Royal Navy	Heavy cruiser	10–17 April
Northern Wave	Royal Navy	ASW trawler	8–19 April
Offa	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Onslow	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Oxlip	Royal Navy	Corvette	12–19 April
Saxifrage	Royal Navy	Corvette	12–19 April
Snowflake	Royal Navy	Corvette	8–19 April
Somali	Royal Navy	Destroyer	12–18 April
Speedy	Royal Navy	Minesweeper	Escort 8–13 April, turned back to Iceland, damaged by ice
Victorious	Royal Navy	Aircraft carrier	12–18 April
Wheatland	Royal Navy	Escort destroyer	12–13 April
Wilton	Royal Navy	Escort destroyer	8–12 April

German Destroyer Group

8th Destroyer Flotilla

Name	Flag	Ship Type	Notes
Z7 Hermann Schoemann	Kriegsmarine	Destroyer	11–18 April
Z24	Kriegsmarine	Destroyer	11–18 April
Z25	Kriegsmarine	Destroyer	11–18 April

Images for kids

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  Photograph of a German Enigma coding machine

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  Example of a Heinkel He 59 search and rescue aircraft (1940)

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  Diagram of the Arctic Ocean

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  Map showing Bear Island (circled) and Jan Mayen to the south south-west