After working up in 1942, Jamaica provides distant cover for Arctic convoy PQ 18. She then joins Operation Torch's Center Task Force, where the Vichy French submarine Fresnel unsuccessfully attacks her. Vichy forces could actively oppose Allied operations after France's defeat. Jamaica soon returns to Arctic convoy duty, joining Sheffield and destroyers in Rear Admiral Robert Burnett's Force R. JW 51A reaches the Kola Inlet without incident before Force R sails to rendezvous with JW 51B. Those assignments take Jamaica directly from commissioning into the Battle of the Barents Sea.
Notable Point · 17:18-19:08
Jamaica moves from Operation Torch back to Arctic cover
Jamaica covers PQ 18, survives an unsuccessful Vichy French submarine attack during Operation Torch, and returns north for the JW 51 convoys.