Canada's Naval History

Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters - The Arctic Convoys and Scandinavia

Following the Soviet Union's entry into the war against Germany, the western Allies established convoys carrying much-needed supplies to Soviet Arctic ports, most notably Murmansk. Canadian ships participated in these convoys, and also visited Scandinavian countries in the wake of Germany's surrender.

Canadian Tribal Class Destroyers at Polyarny, Russia, April 1945

After escorting convoy JW 66 through the Kola Inlet, escorting warships docked at Polyarny, while the merchant ships continued on to Murmansk.

Many of the convoy escorts are seen here, including the Canadian Tribal -class destroyers HMCS Iroquois (front centre) and HMCS Huron (G24, right). Also identifiable are the Norwegian destroyer HNoMS Stord (G26, centre) and the British Castle class corvette HMS Farnham Castle (K413, left). Even though the war in Europe would soon end, on the return convoys, Allied escorts sank two German U-Boats (submarines) while the German submarine U-268 sank the British frigate HMS Goodall. U-427 narrowly missed hitting Iroquois with a torpedo.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20020039-001_p39a