Convoy PQ 14

The Convoy PQ 14 was an Allied Nordmeergeleitzug, which was compiled in March 1942 in Scotland Oban and essential war goods to the Soviet Murmansk brought. By submarines, the Allies lost a freighter 6985 BRT. Due to ice damage had to return to Iceland 13 freighters and two minesweepers.

Composition and assurance

The Convoy PQ 14 was composed of 25 cargo ships. On March 26, 1942, she left the Scottish Oban towards Murmansk. Commodore of the convoy was Captain E. Rees, who had embarked on the Empire Howard. As the convoy drove over Iceland, took over the Western Local Escort until April 12, the Nahsicherung. Its members included the destroyer HMS Wilton, the minesweeper HMS and HMS Speedy lifting and anti-submarine trawler HMS Chiltern and HMS Northern Wave. This was followed until April 19, the Ocean Escort with the destroyers HMS Amazon, HMS Beagle, HMS Beverley and HMS Bulldog, HMS Campanula the corvettes, HMS Oxlip, HMS Saxifrage and HMS Snowflake and anti-submarine trawler HMS Ducton, HMS Lord Austin and HMS Lord Middleton. The Nahdeckung carried by the cruiser HMS Edinburgh and HMS Norfolk and the destroyer HMS Foresight and HMS Forester. From 17 April, the convoy was additionally protected Eastern Local Escort with the Soviet destroyers Gremjaschtschi and Sokruschitelny and the British minesweepers HMS Gossamer, HMS Harrier, HMS Hussar and HMS Niger.

Course

Near the island of Jan Mayen caused by ice severe damage to 13 freighters and two minesweepers. Then these ships returned with the convoy QP 10 back to Iceland. The rest convoy successfully defended itself from 15 to 17 April at German air and submarine attacks. Only U 403 sank on April 17, the freighter Empire Howard ( 6985 GRT) with convoy commodore Captain E. Rees, who thereby lost his life. On 19 April, the convoy reached Murmansk. He lost a freighter 6985 BRT. Due to ice damage had to return to Iceland 13 freighters.