MINESWEEPERS IN NORTHERN RUSSIA
While from time to time various
convoy escorts remained
in North Russia either due to damage, the need for detached duty or the
advent of summer making passage dangerous. It was the practice from the
earliest convoys to base ships of the HALCYON
class
at Murmansk to provide a minesweeping capability. Surprisingly, in
view of their long-standing penchant for mine warfare, the Russian fleet
appears at that time to have lacked such a basic skill.
The pattern of service was for the
individual minesweepers to take passage to Russia as escorts of an
eastbound convoy, and to remain on station throughout the next winter,
returning home in one of the spring convoys after relief. While in Russian
waters they were responsible for sweeping out the westbound convoys, and
meeting the inward eastbound ones, usually some 48 hours away from
Murmansk. Anti-submarine escort was also required of them, and they were
required to operate as far north and east as the ice edge in the Kara Sea
whenever movements took place there. There was, of course, the usual
preventative minesweeping to be undertaken in the Murmansk approaches,
bearing in mind that the front line was under fifty miles away for much of
the period of their service.
The escort of convoys could assume major
proportions, and it was minesweepers that were present when the cruiser Edinburgh
endeavoured to return after damage, while Bramble
was lost engaging a force led by the cruiser Admiral
Hipper. The duties of the ships in
harbour were also manifold, for apart from sweeping they provided the
communications link, operated as AA guard ships, controlled shipping in the
anchorages, provided advice and training to the Russians and carried out
multifarious local duties.
All this was performed by small ships
with very limited facilities, which had certainly not been built for
Arctic conditions. Recreational facilities ashore were almost non-existent
and self-help was the order of the day. Some assistance could be given by
larger ships of the Fleet which called between convoys, and the Senior British Naval Officer, North
Russia was
constantly pressing for canteen stores, mails, etc to be specifically
embarked for his ships and shore party.
Photo of HMS Speedwell
(Source Richard Brown - son of Sickberth Attendant HTM Brown)
As minesweepers became available to the
Russians, either by transfer from the RN of suitable small craft or by
provision of US built craft, the need for the Halcyons
diminished, but throughout their stay the British Flag Officers were
universal in their praise for the efficiency, enthusiasm and cheerful
acceptance of conditions by all members of the ships'
companies.
Halcyon class
minesweepers lead a convoy through pack ice off the Russian coast during
the winter of 1941/42 with two elderly freighters astern.
(Source: Convoys to
Russia 1941 - 1943 Bob Ruegg and Arnold Hague)
Arctic Star
- click here to see details
of this new award which was issued in October 2006
