Kent escorted convoys to and from Russia, including QP 8 and QP 10, and attempted to reach the damaged cruiser Trinidad before that ship was sunk. She formed part of the close escort for PQ 16, placing her with the convoy itself. A 1942 refit removed the catapult and older machine guns while adding more 20 mm Oerlikons, reflecting the priority given to air defence. During the cover of convoy JW 52, U-625 made an unsuccessful attack on her. Later refits replaced single Oerlikons with twin mounts, so the ship’s Arctic career also traces the continual wartime growth of close-range anti-aircraft firepower.
Chapter · 54:42-56:11
Kent on the Arctic convoy route
Kent’s Arctic service included close escort, an unsuccessful effort to help Trinidad, repeated refits, and a U-boat attack.