Convoy PQ 8

The convoy PQ 8 was an Allied Nordmeergeleitzug, which was compiled in January 1942 in the Icelandic Hvalfjörður and essential war goods brought into the Soviet Murmansk. With German U- boat attacks, the Allies lost the destroyer HMS Matabele.

Composition and assurance

The convoy PQ 8 was composed of eight cargo ships. On January 8, 1942 they left Hvalfjörður ( Lage64.36 - 21.69 ) towards Murmansk ( Lage69.0933.39 ). The backup took over the minesweeper HMS Harrier and HMS Speedwell. From 11 January, the cruiser HMS Trinidad and the destroyer HMS Matabele and HMS Somali were added. The Eastern Local Escort with the minesweepers HMS Hazard and HMS Sharpshooter and the Soviet destroyers Sokruschitelny and Gremjaschtschi and twelve MO -4- cutters escorted the convoy from January 16th.

Course

The Germans were the first to a Nordmeergeleitzug a submarine group. The group " Ulan " with the boats U 134, U 454 and U 584 reached the convoy on the 17th January 1942. In the afternoon, U 454 attacked multiple times and torpedoed the freighter Harmatris ( 5395 BRT) and the destroyer HMS Matabele. The Harmatris could be towed to Murmansk, while the destroyer HMS Matabele ( Lage69.3535.45 ) as quickly dropped that only two soldiers were rescued. On January 17, the convoy reached Murmansk.

HMS Matabele (F26) HMS Trinidad (46) Dervish Convoy Convoy PQ 1 Convoy PQ 2 Convoy PQ 3 Convoy PQ 4 Convoy PQ 7 Convoy PQ 13 Convoy PQ 14 Convoy PQ 15 Convoy PQ 16 Convoy PQ 17 Convoy PQ 18 Operation FB Convoy JW 51B Convoy QP 14 Convoy JW 56A Convoy JW 56B Convoy JW 57 Convoy JW 58
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