Jamaica and Sheffield formed Force R under Rear Admiral Robert Burnett to cover Arctic convoys against German surface ships. A storm scattered JW 51B, and separated ships confused the radar picture of the convoy's position. Force R was thirteen miles north when Admiral Hipper attacked, leaving British destroyers to hold her off until the cruisers arrived. Two German destroyers then mistook Sheffield for Hipper and tried to form up on her; Sheffield sank Friedrich Eckoldt, while Jamaica failed to hit Richard Beitzen. A later exchange with Hipper and Lützow produced no hits in the darkness. Although Achates and Bramble were lost, the convoy reached Kola Inlet intact.
Notable Point · 2:10:39-2:14:16
Storm disruption and cruiser intervention at the Barents Sea
Scattered convoy ships confused Force R's radar picture before Jamaica and Sheffield reached the fighting.