Convoy JW 54A was an Arctic convoy sent from Britain by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during the Second World War. It sailed in November 1943, reaching the Soviet northern ports at the end of the month. JW 54A was the first out-bound Arctic convoy of the 1943–1944 winter season, following their suspension during the summer. All ships arrived safely.
Forces Convoy JW 54A consisted of 19 merchant ships which departed from Loch Ewe on 15 November 1943. Close escort was provided by the destroyers Inconstant and Whitehall, and two other vessels. These were supported by seven Home Fleet destroyers led by (Captain James McCoy Senior Officer escort) The convoy accompanied by a local escort group from Britain, and was also joined later by a local escort from Murmansk. A cruiser cover force comprising (Rear-Admiral Arthur Palliser), and also followed the convoy, to guard against attack by surface units. Heavy cover was provided by the Home Fleet comprising the battleship , the US cruiser and four US destroyers. Convoy JW 54A was opposed by a U-boat force of five boats in a patrol line, (Ironbeard), in the Norwegian Sea. A surface force comprising the battleship and five destroyers was also available, stationed at Altenfjord.
Voyage Convoy JW 54A departed Loch Ewe on 15 November 1943, accompanied by its local escort, of three destroyers, and its close escort. Three days later, on 18 November, it was joined by the ocean escort, while the local escort departed. At the same time the Cruiser Force and the distant cover from Scapa Flow also put to sea, taking station in the Norwegian Sea. The convoy was not sighted by German reconnaissance aircraft, nor by any of the U-boats, and crossed the Norwegian and Barents Seas without incident. On 24 November the convoy arrived safely at the Kola Inlet.
Aftermath Convoy JW 54A was a successful start to the 1943–1944 convoy season, with the safe arrival of 19 merchant ships.
Allied order of battle
Merchant ships +Ships convoyed NameYearFlagGRTNo.Notes 19231,52633 19437,17612 19437,17621 19437,03062 19437,03061 19437,06771 19437,15341 19437,17623 19427,17672 19427,17632 19427,18151 19426,94511 19317,49352 19369,89242Fuelling tanker 19427,17422 19427,17453 19437,17663 19427,19131 19437,19113Lend-lease vessels in transit—————————Motor Launch———Motor Launch ———Motor Launch
Convoy escorts +Convoy escorts (in relays) NameFlagTypeNotesWestern local escortT-class destroyer15–18 November15–18 November15–18 NovemberClose escort15–24 NovemberW-class destroyer15–24 November15–24 November15–24 NovemberOcean escort18–25 November18–25 November18–25 November18–25 NovemberO-class destroyer18–25 NovemberO-class destroyer18–25 NovemberO-class destroyerReturned, defectsO-class destroyer18–25 NovemberCruiser cover19–24 November19–24 November19–24 NovemberDistant cover19–24 November19–24 November19–24 November19–24 November19–24 November19–24 November
German order of battle
+U-boats and ships NameFlagClassNotesU-boatsType VIIC submarineType VIIC submarineType VIIC submarineType VIIC submarineType VIIC submarineShips1936A (Mob)-class destroyer1936A (Mob)-class destroyer
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