Russia would have been trampled into the snow without US manufactured hardware delivered via the terrible Murmansk convoys manned by non-Russian merchant seamen hunted by U boats and battle ships.

Losses during the murmansk convoys

The Murmansk Convoys, also known as the Arctic Convoys, were a series of Allied naval convoys that transported vital supplies from the United Kingdom, Iceland, and North America to the Soviet Union’s northern ports, primarily Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, during World War II. The convoys faced extreme weather conditions, German air and naval attacks, and heavy losses.

Convoy PQ 17: The Worst Losses

Convoy PQ 17, which sailed from Iceland in June 1942, suffered the worst losses of any convoy. Out of 30 ships, the Germans sank or damaged nine, including the SS Atheltemplar, SS Ceramic, and SS Lancastria. The convoy’s escorts were unable to protect the ships, and many sailors and soldiers were lost at sea.

Overall Losses

According to estimates, a total of 104 merchant vessels were lost during the Murmansk Convoys, along with 24 Royal Navy warships. Approximately 3,500 Allied servicemen lost their lives. The loss rate for Allied ships was higher than on any other Allied convoy series.

They returned the favour by racing to Berlin and putting a wall around half of it and starving the population. At one time the US had to airlift everything, including coal, into the besieged city.

Losses during the berlin airlift

• Human Losses: 109 lives were lost during the Berlin Airlift, including:
  • 27 American aircrew
  • 23 British aircrew
  • 7 German aircrew
  • 35 lives lost in a single incident when a British passenger plane and a Soviet fighter collided
• Aircraft Losses: 18 planes were destroyed or severely damaged during the airlift
• Total Tonnage Flown: 2,334,374 tons of supplies were delivered to West Berlin, including coal, food, and other necessities
• Peak Daily Tonnage: 8,000 tons were flown daily at the airlift’s peak
• Total Flights: 278,228 flights were made to Berlin during the 15-month operation

Then there was the Cold War. Russia is, always has been, an enemy of the West. We are part of that self protection group so we are involved.