Convoy PQ 7 facts for kids

Convoy PQ 7 was one of the many important Arctic convoys that took place during World War II. These convoys were like supply lines across the sea. They helped the Western Allies send vital supplies to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was fighting against Nazi Germany at the time.

Convoy PQ 7 was split into two parts. The first part, called PQ 7a, left Hvalfjörður, Iceland, on December 26, 1941. It reached Murmansk in Russia on January 12, 1942. The second part, PQ 7b, left Hvalfjord, Iceland, on December 31, 1941. It arrived in Murmansk on January 11, 1942.

Convoy PQ 7: A Wartime Journey

What Were Arctic Convoys?

During World War II, the Allies needed to send a lot of supplies to the Soviet Union. These supplies included tanks, planes, food, and other important items. The shortest way to do this was by sea, through the Arctic Ocean. This route was very dangerous. Ships faced harsh weather, icy waters, and constant attacks from German forces. These groups of ships traveling together were called Arctic Convoys. They were protected by warships.

The Two Parts of Convoy PQ 7

Convoy PQ 7 was organized into two separate groups of ships. Each group had merchant ships carrying supplies. They also had warships to protect them.

Convoy PQ 7a: The First Group

Convoy PQ 7a had two merchant ships. These were the SS Cold Harbor from Panama and the SS Waziristan from the United Kingdom. They were protected by two armed trawlers. Trawlers are smaller ships, sometimes used for fishing, but these were equipped for war.

Sadly, the SS Waziristan was sunk during the journey. It was attacked by a German U-boat (a submarine) called U-134 on January 2, 1942. The ship got stuck in the ice. Then it was attacked by both German aircraft and the submarine. The Waziristan was the ship where the convoy leader, or Commodore, was located.

Convoy PQ 7b: The Second Group

Convoy PQ 7b was a larger group. It included nine merchant ships. Two were from Panama, one from Russia, and six from the United Kingdom. This group had stronger protection. It was escorted by two destroyers, HMS Icarus and HMS Tartar. They also had two armed trawlers.

Unlike the first group, all the ships in Convoy PQ 7b made it safely to Murmansk. This was a great success for the Allies. It showed how important it was to have strong protection for these dangerous journeys.