Convoy JW 51B carried fourteen merchant ships with tanks, aircraft, fuel, and other supplies for the Soviet Union. Sherbrooke had four destroyers immediately available against Admiral Hipper, Lutzow, and six German destroyers, while the British cruiser covering force remained distant. Smoke, torpedo threats, and repeated aggressive pursuit kept the German ships away from the convoy. Sherbrooke continued directing the action after a severe facial wound and transferred command only when further damage forced Onslow to disengage. The German failure helped produce a crisis of confidence that kept the heavy surface ships from returning to sea for nearly a year.
Chapter · 41:26-52:41
Sherbrooke shields convoy JW 51B in the Barents Sea
Sherbrooke's destroyers repeatedly threaten a much stronger German force, preserving convoy JW 51B despite severe wounds and heavy odds.