Red Sky in the Morning: The Battle of the Barants Sea 1942
Michael PearsonOverview
The Arctic convoys that sailed through the cold malevolent waters of the Barents Sea ran the gauntlet of German air and sea attacks as they struggled to transport vital supplies to Britain's Russian allies. This book is a fascinating description of a major naval action fought in December 1942 between a formidable German force and the relatively light convoy escort ships of the Royal Navy. Convoy JW51B sailed in December 1942 with a small close escort of five destroyers, plus a reserve of two light cruisers, which shadowed the main convoy at a distance of seventy miles. The convoy was attacked on New Year's Eve by a powerful German force that included the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, the pocket battleship Lutzow and six destroyers. The ensuing battle proved both the worth of the British destroyers and the bravery of the men who sailed in them.It was a naval engagement that was to have far-reaching consequences and resulted in many capital ships of the Kriegsmarine being decommissioned for the rest of the World War II. Superbly researched with extensive use of first-hand accounts as well as official records. Red Sky in the Morning is a gripping tale of the war at sea under the direst of conditions. The work is well supported with charts, tables and excellent photographs.
Synopsis
The Arctic convoys that sailed through the cold malevolent waters of the Barents Sea ran the gauntlet of German air and sea attacks as they struggled to transport vital supplies to Britain's Russian allies. This book is a fascinating description of a major naval action fought in December 1942 between a formidable German force and the relatively light convoy escort ships of the Royal Navy. Convoy JW51B sailed in December 1942 with a small close escort of five destroyers, plus a reserve of two light cruisers, which shadowed the main convoy at a distance of seventy miles. The convoy was attacked on New Year's Eve by a powerful German force that included the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, the pocket battleship Lutzow and six destroyers. The ensuing battle proved both the worth of the British destroyers and the bravery of the men who sailed in them.
It was a naval engagement that was to have far-reaching consequences and resulted in many capital ships of the Kriegsmarine being decommissioned for the rest of the World War II. Superbly researched with extensive use of first-hand accounts as well as official records. Red Sky in the Morning is a gripping tale of the war at sea under the direst of conditions. The work is well supported with charts, tables and excellent photographs.