Convoy PQ 14


Convoy PQ 14 was an Arctic convoy sent from Great Britain by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in April 1942, reaching Murmansk after air and U-boat attacks that sank one ship, and ice damage that saw 16 vessels returned to port. Seven ships arrived safely.

Ships

PQ 14 consisted of 24 ships, led by Commodore E Rees in Empire Howard.
The Close escort comprised two minesweepers, and four trawlers, joined later by an Ocean escort comprising the cruiser Edinburgh, R. Adm. SS Bonham–Carter commanding, plus four destroyers and four corvettes.

Action

PQ 14 sailed from Iceland on 8 April 1942 with its close escort.
On 9 April, SSW of Jan Mayen Island, the convoy was joined by Edinburgh and the Ocean Escort Group.
On the night of 10/11 April, south-west of Jan Mayen, the convoy encountered heavy ice. The convoy was thrown into disarray and many ships were damaged. Eventually 16 ships and 2 of the escorts were forced to turn back through damage or being unable to rejoin the convoy.
The remaining eight ships, with Edinburgh and the 12 escorts, pressed on to Murmansk.
Over the next few days PQ 14 had no interference from German forces, though its reciprocal, Convoy QP 10, was under persistent attack during this period.
On 15 April, east of Bear Island, the convoy was sighted by German aircraft, and a number of air and U-boat attacks were made over the next three days.
On 16 April Empire Howard was hit by a torpedo from. She sank with the loss of most of her crew, including Commodore Rees.
On the same day fired on Edinburgh, but scored no hits.
On 17 April the convoy was joined by three Soviet destroyers, and on 18 April by four RN minesweepers stationed at Kola.
Also on 18 a strong NW gale developed, putting an end to further air attacks.
A force of German destroyers stationed at Kirkenes attempted to sortie to make an attack, but was also forced back by the weather.
On 19 April the seven remaining ships entered Kola Inlet, and arrived at Murmansk.

Aftermath

Despite the safe arrival of the ships of PQ 14, the return of so many ships with ice damage created a shortfall in Lend-lease deliveries to the Soviets, and ensured that the Allies would have to run larger convoys during the hazardous summer months to catch up.

Ships in the convoy

The following information is from the Arnold Hague Convoy Database.

Merchant ships

Escort

NameFlagShip TypeNotes
Destroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
HMS BelvoirEscort destroyer12 Apr - 13 Apr
HMS BeverleyDestroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS CampanulaCorvette12 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS Chiltern?8 Apr - 12 Apr
Battleship12 Apr - 18 Apr
HMS Duncton ASW trawler12 Apr - 13 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS GossamerMinesweeper18 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS HarrierMinesweeper18 Apr - 19 Apr
Minesweeper8 Apr - 13 Apr
Minesweeper18 Apr - 19 Apr
12 Apr - 20 Apr
Battleship12 Apr - 18 Apr
Escort destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
HMS Lord Austin ASW trawler8 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS Lord Middleton ASW trawler8 Apr - 19 Apr
DestroyerEscort 12 Apr - 18 Apr
Escort destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Minesweeper18 Apr - 19 Apr
Light cruiser12 Apr - 18 Apr
HMS Norfolk Heavy cruiser10 Apr - 17 Apr
HMS Northern Wave ASW trawler8 Apr - 12 Apr
T/Lt. William Godfrey Pardoe-Matthews, RNR picks up 28 survivors from Empire Howard torpedoed and sunk by U-403 north-west of North Cape in position
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
Corvette12 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS Saxifrage Corvette12 Apr - 19 Apr
HMS SnowflakeCorvette8 Apr - 19 Apr
Destroyer12 Apr - 18 Apr
MinesweeperEscort 8 Apr - 13 Apr
Returned Iceland damaged by ice
Aircraft carrier12 Apr - 18 Apr
Escort destroyer12 Apr - 13 Apr
HMS Wilton Escort destroyer8 Apr - 12 Apr