Convoy JW 58

Convoy JW 58 was an Arctic convoy sent from Great Britain by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in March 1944, reaching the Soviet northern ports in early April. All ships arrived safely. JW 58 was attacked by German U-boat and air forces, but suffered no losses. Three U-boats were destroyed in counter-measures, and six aircraft shot down, during these operations.

The convoy consisted of 47 merchant ships which departed from Loch Ewe on 27 March 1944. It also included the US cruiser Milwaukee, which was being transferred to the Soviet navy as part of an agreement over the disposal of the surrendered Italian fleet. The convoy was joined from Iceland by three more ships en route from North America. Close escort was provided by a force led by Lt.Cdr Lambton in the destroyer Westcott. The force comprised two other destroyers and three corvettes. The force was supported by two escort carriers, Activity and Tracker, which travelled with the convoy, and an "Ocean escort" of 17 fleet destroyers led by R.Adm. F. Dalrymple-Hamilton in the cruiser Diadem. In addition, JW 58 was joined by the 2nd Support Group, the RN's most successful anti-submarine warfare group. These were five sloops led by Capt. FJ Walker, in Starling. The convoy was accompanied initially by local escort groups from Britain and Iceland, and joined later by a local escort group from Murmansk. Distant cover was provide by ships of the Home Fleet which were engaged in Operation Tungsten, an air strike against the German battleship Tirpitz anchored in Alta fjord. These were the battleships Duke of York and Anson, the carrier Victorious, cruiser Belfast, and six destroyers under the command of V Adm. Bruce Fraser.

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