PQ18 fights back

14th September 1942: The Arctic convoy to Russia continues to come under attack but find the tactics to fight off the worst of the assault

The Flight Deck party ranging a Hawker Hurricane on the flight deck of HMS AVENGER, June 1942.

Sea Hurricanes being refuelled on the flight deck

A Hawker Sea Hurricane about to take off from the flight deck. On the 14th three Sea Hurricanes were shot down by Royal Navy anti aircraft fire as they pursued Luftwaffe bombers closing on HMS Avenger - but the pilots were rescued.

Tfor PQ 18 continued during the four days that it was within range of the Luftwaffe as it passed north of Norway.

J.D. Nightingirl was on the cruiser HMS Scylla¹, part of the convoy escort:

The following day, a U-boat sunk an oiler in the rear line of the convoy before dawn, and midday there was another torpedo attack by 20 bombers, again low on the starboard bow of the convoy, but this time seemingly going for the escort carrier and other warships. Some of the Hurricanes got airborne. 11 enemy aircraft were brought down compared to 8 the previous day, and there were no convoy casualties. 10 further aircraft were shot down in subsequent air attacks on the 14th, with only one casualty, the last remaining ship in the ill-fated 9th and 10th columns.