Part I of this series of three chapters is from Alexander Werth’s 1947 book entitled ‘The Year of Stalingrad’ (which deals with the momentous events of 1942) – and suggests that the (‘Screw Steamer’) “Empire Baffin” left port in Middlesborough (UK) on or about May 1st, 1942 – before arriving unscathed (from Nazi German U-Boat action) in Reykjavik around May 10th, 1942. According to official records – this part of the journey does not constitute the traversing of the PQ-16 Convoy to the USSR – despite the entire Convoy moving carefully through hostile waters. According to the diary of Alexander Werth – the Merchant Navy Ship “Empire Baffin” – then spent around nine to ten days in port at Reykjavik before setting sail on Part II (the subject of this post) of its voyage to Murmansk (USSR) on May 20th, 1942. As Convoy PQ-16 is said to have taken place only between May 21st – May 28th 1942 – it must be assumed that the “Empire Baffin” (and the thirty-five other vessels) had to first manoeuvre into formation upon the open sea before officially setting-off. Between Iceland and Murmansk, the Nazi Germans possessed a strong control of the air, sea and land, and could unleash aeroplanes, ships, U-Boats and Coastal Artillery! All in all, this entire affair appears to be a masterpiece of British bureaucracy designed to keep the inevitable reporting of losses ‘low’! We now know that seven ships were lost and one had to turn back. Part III – which describes ‘Murmansk’ – is to follow!
The PQ-16 Convoy was comprised of “36” ships sailing under the flags of five different nations – all participating in the supplying the Soviet Union. The distribution of this shipping between the nations (and their “fate”) is as follows:
Nederlands = 1 Ship (Reached Port)
Panama = 2 Ships (Reached Port)
Soviet Union = 5 Ships (Reached Port)
United Kingdom = 9 Ships (3 Sunk – 6 Reached Port)
United States = 19 Ships (4 Sunk – 1 Towed Back to Iceland – 14 Reached Port)
The US Merchant Navy Ship – “Steel Worker” – did reach Murmansk and technically completed the voyage – but struck a Nazi German mine and sank whilst in port. If added to the above tally – then “6” US ships were sunk, “1” was towed back and “13” safely reached port. The “Empire Baffin” – which Alexander Werth was aboard – came under intense fire at one-point and despite being damaged by near misses – did make it into port! The British Royal Navy, the Soviet Red Navy The United States Navy and even the Polish Navy generated a naval “shield” of around “55” ships which attempted to protect the convoy near and afar!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 