Convoy QP 15 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Convoy QP.15 |
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| Part of Second World War | |||||
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| Belligerents | |||||
 Germany |
 United Kingdom |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Admiral Karl Dönitz | WC Meek (Comm.) | ||||
| Strength | |||||
| 10 U-boats | 32 merchant ships 30 escorts |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||
| none | 2 ships sunk 1 lost in storm |
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Convoy QP 15 was a group of ships traveling together for safety during World War II. This convoy was part of the "PQ/QP" series. These convoys helped bring Allied ships back to the United Kingdom. The ships were returning from ports in the northern Soviet Union.
Convoy QP 15 sailed in November 1942. It was the last convoy in the "QP" series. A big storm scattered the ships. The Soviet destroyer Sokrushitelny sank in this storm. German U-boats also attacked the convoy. They sank two of the thirty merchant ships.
Contents
What Was Convoy QP 15?
Convoy QP 15 was a group of 31 merchant ships. Most of these ships had arrived earlier with another convoy, PQ 18. The convoy leader was Captain WC Meek. He was in charge of the ship Temple Arch.
Who Protected the Convoy?
The convoy had many ships protecting it. These were called escorts. The close escort included four corvettes and a special minesweeper. Later, five more destroyers joined them. Five other destroyers also joined during the trip.
Special ships helped too. These included the anti-aircraft cruiser Ulster Queen. There was also the CAM ship Empire Morn. CAM ships could launch a fighter plane to defend against air attacks.
Further away, two cruisers and three destroyers provided distant cover. Submarines also patrolled near Norwegian ports. They watched for any German warships trying to attack.
Who Attacked the Convoy?
German forces tried to stop Convoy QP 15. Ten German U-boats waited in the Norwegian Sea. This group of U-boats was called "Boreas." German aircraft also tried to attack. But bad weather kept them away.
The Convoy's Journey
The convoy started its journey on November 17, 1942. It left from Archangel in the Soviet Union. Four minesweepers were the first escorts. Two Soviet destroyers joined them the next day.
Early Problems
Two ships got stuck after leaving the harbor. They had to be left behind. Luckily, they were refloated and returned to port safely.
The Storm Hits
On November 20, a strong gale started. It scattered the convoy ships. Several ships were damaged. The two Soviet destroyers were also hit hard.
The Soviet destroyer Baku was badly damaged. It managed to return to port. A huge wave hit Sokrushitelny. It tore off the back part of the ship. Three other Soviet destroyers rushed to help. They rescued 187 crew members. But Sokrushitelny sank on November 22.
U-boat Attacks
On November 23, a German U-boat attacked. This was U-625. It sank the British freighter Goolistan. Everyone on board was lost.
Later that day, another U-boat attacked. This was U-601. It fired torpedoes at the Soviet freighter Kuznets Lesov. One torpedo hit and sank the ship. All hands were lost on this ship too.
The rest of the convoy continued its journey. It arrived safely at Loch Ewe in the United Kingdom. This was on November 30, 1942.
Merchant Ships in Convoy QP 15
| Name | Flag | Tonnage (GRT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS Andre Marti |  Soviet Union |
2,352 | |
| SS Belomorcanal | Soviet Union |
2,900 | |
| SS Charles R. McCormick |  United States |
6,027 | |
| SS Copeland |  United Kingdom |
1,526 | Rescue ship |
| SS Dan-y-Bryn | United Kingdom |
5,117 | Vice-Commodore |
| SS Empire Baffin | United Kingdom |
6,978 | |
| SS Empire Morn | United Kingdom |
7,092 | CAM ship |
| SS Empire Snow | United Kingdom |
6,327 | |
| SS Empire Tristram | United Kingdom |
7,167 | |
| SS Esek Hopkins | United States |
7,191 | |
| SS Goolistan | United Kingdom |
5,851 | Sunk by U-625 on 23 November |
| SS Hollywood | United States |
5,498 | |
| SS Ironclad | United States |
5,685 | |
| SS Komiles | Soviet Union |
3,966 | |
| SS Kuznetz Lesov | Soviet Union |
3,974 | Sunk by U-601 on 23 November |
| SS Lafayette | United States |
5,887 | |
| SS Meanticut | United States |
6,061 | |
| SS Nathanael Greene | United States |
7,177 | |
| SS Ocean Faith | United Kingdom |
7,174 | |
| SS Patrick Henry | United States |
7,191 | |
| SS Petrovski | Soviet Union |
3,771 | |
| SS Sahale | United States |
5,028 | |
| SS Schoharie | United States |
4,971 | |
| SS St. Olaf | United States |
7,191 | |
| SS Tbilisi | Soviet Union |
7,169 | |
| SS Temple Arch | United Kingdom |
5,138 | Convoy Commodore |
| SS Virginia Dare | United States |
7,177 | |
| SS White Clover |  Panama |
5,462 | |
| 'SS William Moultrie | United States |
7,177 |
