RU05 – Arctic Convoys II


   
Stitchers (Loch Ewe, Scotland): Fiona Gorman, Steph Kendall, Cathy MacLeod, Jane Rowe, Kate Gunn, and over 70 members of the community.

James Simpson joined the HMS Devonshire in November 1942 and remained on her until 1945. Sailing out of the shelter of  Loch Ewe and patrolling between Scapa Flow and Altenfjord in Norway,HMS Devonshire provided support for the Russian Arctic convoys heading for the North Russian ports of Murmansk and Arkhangelsk, and also provided cover for air operations by Aircraft Carriers against the German battleship Tirpitz lying in Altenfjord,Norway. Its aim was to keep her in the harbour, while the aircraft carriers sent off their planes to bomb her. Later HMS Devonshire led three aircraft carriers and five destroyers, firing 8” guns at the German batteries that were guarding the heavy water installation site in Norway. James remained on HMS Devonshire and made it through the war, being demobbed in 1946.

RU05 Comhailteachdan an Artaig II
Chaidh Seumas Simpson air an HMS Devonshire san t-Samhain 1942 agus dh’fhuirich e oirre gu 1945. A’ seòladh a-mach à fasgadh Loch Iùbh agus a’ faire eadar Scapa Flow agus Altenfjord ann an Nirribhigh, bha an HMS Devonshire a’ solarachadh taic do na comhailteachdan Artaig Ruiseanach a bha a’ dèanamh air puirt Murmansk agus Arkhangelsk ann an ceann a tuath na Ruis, agus bha iad cuideachd a’ solarachadh dìon do ghniomhan adhair le bàtaichean-giùlain itealain an aghaidh na soithich-cogaidh Ghearmailtich Tirpitz a bha na laighe aig Altenfjord ann an Nirribhigh. B’ e a dleastanas an Tirpitz a chumail sa chala fhad ’s a bhathar ga bomadh. Às dèidh sin, stiùir an HMS Devonshire trì bàtaicheangiùlain itealain agus còig soithichean-sgrios an aghaidh nam bataraidhean Gearmailteach a bha a’ geàird làrach ionad uisge trom ann an Nirribhigh. Dh’fhuirich Seumas air an HMS Devonshire gus an d’ fhuair e air èirigh às an dreuchd ann an 1946.