Tag: Murmansk

ALEXANDER WERTH [PART III]: RUSSIAN ARCTIC CONVOY PQ-16 – May in MURMANSK (USSR) – MERCHANT NAVY SHIP “EMPIRE BAFFIN”! (2.9.2023)

This content discusses a chapter from Alexander Werth’s book, ‘The Year of Stalingrad,’ which provides an insightful portrayal of WWII events concerning the Soviet Union. It highlights Werth’s journey in the PQ-16 convoy from Murmansk to Moscow, offering readers an in-depth view of the war from an ordinary Soviet citizen’s perspective. Despite his work being overlooked due to his left-wing views and refusal to entertain anti-Soviet propaganda during the Cold War, the narrative praises his bravery and sincerity.

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Alexander Werth [Part I]: Russian Arctic Convoy PQ-16 – Middlesborough (UK) to Murmansk (USSR) – Merchant Navy Ship “Empire Baffin”! (2.9.2023)

The Russian Arctic Convoy, PQ-16, sailed from Iceland to the Soviet Union in late May 1942, providing vital military and civilian aid amid attacks by Nazi Germany. The fleet comprised British, American, and Allied ships, including the Empire Baffin that Alexander Werth traveled on for four weeks as recorded in his book ‘The Year of Stalingrad’. This account, along with further research, allows for a timeline to be reconstructed for these events, however, full details are limited due to the secrecy required during wartime. Convoy PQ-16 consisted of 36 Merchant Navy vessels, some armed for self-defense, and a number of Royal Navy ships acting as protection. Werth’s account also mentions controversial language used to describe the African-descendent members of the Merchant Navy crew.

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