Soviet Merchant Ship

This photo shows the Krasnogvardeets, an American-built Liberty ship transferred to the Soviet Union as part of "Lend-Lease" aid.

Following Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, other Allied countries sent aid by a variety of routes, including across the North Pacific from ports on North America's west coast. The ship's prominent national markings of "USSR" (centre) indicate its Soviet ownership; for much of the war in the Pacific, the Soviet Union and Japan were not at war with each other, and this identification was intended to protect against Japanese attacks.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
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