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Convoy PQ 14 was an Arctic convoy sent from Great Britain by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in April 1942, reaching Murmansk after air and U-boat attacks that sank one ship, and ice damage that saw 16 vessels returned to port. Seven ships arrived safely.
Contents
Ships
PQ 14 consisted of 24 ships, led by Commodore E Rees in Empire Howard. The Close escort comprised two minesweepers, and four trawlers, joined later by an Ocean escort comprising the cruiser Edinburgh, R. Adm. SS Bonham–Carter commanding, plus four destroyers and four corvettes.
Action
PQ 14 sailed from Iceland on 8 April 1942 with its close escort. On 9 April, SSW of Jan Mayen Island, the convoy was joined by Edinburgh and the Ocean Escort Group. On the night of 10/11 April, south-west of Jan Mayen, the convoy encountered heavy ice. The convoy was thrown into disarray and many ships were damaged. Eventually 16 ships and 2 of the escorts were forced to turn back through damage or being unable to rejoin the convoy. The remaining eight ships, with Edinburgh and the 12 escorts pressed on to Murmansk.
Over the next few days PQ 14 had no interference from German forces, though its reciprocal, Convoy QP 10, was under persistent attack during this period. On 15 April, east of Bear Island, the convoy was sighted by German aircraft, and a number of air and U-boat attacks were made over the next three days. On 16 April Empire Howard was hit by a torpedo from U-403. She sank with the loss of most of her crew, including Commodore Rees. On the same day U-376 fired on Edinburgh, but scored no hits.
On 17 April the convoy was joined by three Soviet destroyers, and on 18 April by four RN minesweepers stationed at Kola. Also on 18 a strong NW gale developed, putting an end to further air attacks. A force of German destroyers stationed at Kirkenes attempted to sortie to make an attack, but was also forced back by the weather.
On 19 April the seven remaining ships entered Kola Inlet, and arrived at Murmansk.
Aftermath
Despite the safe arrival of the ships of PQ 14, the return of so many ships with ice damage created a shortfall in Lend-lease deliveries to the Soviets, and ensured that the Allies would have to run larger convoys during the hazardous summer months to catch up.