"The Arctic Convoys — Inside the Second World War’s" Topic

… Gruelling Polar Naval Campaign

"THE ARCTIC convoys were a crucial factor in Allied victory in the Second World War, yet surprisingly they're often overlooked when considering the decisive campaigns of the conflict. There have been no films made, and very few books written, about the brave men who sailed on the convoys bound for Russia. This lack of acknowledgement and appreciation for those who fought and died in the most inhospitable of environments rankled with those who saw action. Yet the Russian convoys accounted for 20 per cent of all the equipment and supplies used by the Soviets on the Eastern Front during the war. The importance and sacrifice of the men who got them there should never be underestimated.

The convoys came about as much for political reasons as military necessity. In August 1939, the leaders of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression pact (often referred to as the "Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact" or the "Hitler-Stalin Pact"). Strengthened by the agreement, Hitler was free to invade Poland, France and the rest of central and western Europe without fear of attack in the East. Indeed, the Soviets themselves saw Germany's war as an opportunity for their expansion and, as per a secret protocol hidden in the agreement, invaded Poland from the east 17 days after Hitler's troops crossed the Polish border in the west. Before the campaign was over, the Red Army was in control of all lands from Wilno in the north to Lwöw in the south. The Soviets next invaded Finland in what became known as the "Winter War." Stalin's goal was to annex the regions of Salla and Karelia. The resulting turmoil led to an unlikely alliance between Germany and the Finns…"

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Armand

Thanks!

Armand

Norwegians have a new film out titled KONVOI, to be released in the U.S. as The Arctic Convoy. Without saying so, it is about Convoy PQ 17.
I have a review of it on IMDb.

And I have done one of my little postcard games about the Murmansk Run: link

If nothing else, it can be used to (simply) set up scenarios for miniature battles.

Thanks also…

Armand