Since this issue of TEM is devoted to "war in the north", I could not let it pass without mentioning the northernmost battle of World War 2: the Battle of the Barents Sea, fought in the arctic darkness at latitude 73 North, December 31 1942 to January 1 1943.

Convoy JW 51B, fourteen merchant ships heading for Murmansk with an escort of five RN destroyers, was intercepted by the pocket battleship Lutzow (six 11-inch guns), heavy cruiser Hipper (eight 8-inch guns) and three destroyers. Force R, consisting of the cruisers Jamaica and Sheffield (each with twelve 6-inch guns), rushed to the destroyers' aid, and a confused set of gunnery duels ensued. One British destroyer was sunk with more than 100 seamen, but the Hipper was damaged and a German destroyer sunk with all hands. The Germans retreated.

Captain Sherbrooke, commander of the escort force, was severely wounded, but survived to be awarded the Victoria Cross. The book 73 North by Dudley Pope is highly recommended.