80 years ago today: the Battle of the Barents Sea
At 8am on 31st December 1942, German surface raiders intercepted convoy JW 51B en route to Russia. Four escorting O class destroyers, led by Captain Robert Sherbrooke on board HMS Onslow, steered to engage the cruiser Admiral Hipper as she closed in on the convoy. A feigned torpedo attack caused the Admiral Hipper to turn away, buying time for the merchant ships. Onslow was hit, with 17 men killed. Captain Sherbrooke was badly wounded but continued to direct his ships until command could be passed to HMS Obedient.
The Admiral Hipper then encountered the minesweeper Bramble, which was rapidly sunk with all hands. The destroyer Achates was also damaged and later sank. The British cruisers Sheffield and Jamaica then joined the action, damaging the Admiral Hipper and sinking the destroyer Friedrich Eckholdt. The action was broken off at around 12 noon.
All fourteen merchant ships reached the USSR. The failure of the raiding ships was a key factor in the decision to scrap the German surface fleet and focus on U-boats, Admiral Raeder resigned and was replaced by Admiral Dönitz.
Captain Sherbrooke would be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions defending the convoy.