JW 51B

Convoy JW 51B was an Arctic convoy sent from United Kingdom by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in late December 1942, reaching the Soviet northern ports in early January 1943.

JW 51B came under attack by German surface units, engaged in Operation Regenbogen, on 31 December. In the clash that ensued, one defending minesweeper and one attacking destroyer were sunk with all hands and a defending destroyer was sunk; no ships were lost from the convoy. This engagement became known as the Battle of the Barents Sea.

JW 51A consisted of 15 merchant ships which departed from Loch Ewe on 22 December 1942. Close escort was provided by the minesweeper Bramble, two corvettes and two armed trawlers. These were supported by six Home Fleet destroyers led by Onslow (Capt R. St.V. Sherbrooke commanding). The convoy was also accompanied initially by a local escort group from Britain, and was joined later by a local escort group from Murmansk. A cruiser cover force comprising Jamaica and Sheffield, and two destroyers, was also at sea, out of Kola Inlet, to guard against attack by surface units, while distant cover was provided by a Heavy Cover Force from Iceland comprising the battleship Anson, the cruiser Cumberland and five destroyers.

JW 51B was opposed by a force of four U-boats in a patrol line in the Norwegian Sea, and the aircraft of Luftflotte V based in Norway. A surface force comprising the heavy cruisers Hipper, Lützow and six destroyers was also available, stationed at Altenfjord.

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