MY UNCLE'S ARCTIC CONVOY DUTY.

THE H.M.S. CASSANDRA AN `C' CLASS DESTROYER, COMPLETED IN JULY 1944. HER MISSION WAS TO SAIL ON THE ARCTIC CONVOY DUTIES WITH THE 6TH DESTROYER FLOTILLO, ON 10 DECEMBER 1944 SHE LEFT MURMANSK, ESCORTING TWENTY EIGHT SHIPS ON THE RETURN LEG FROM RUSSIA. JUST BEFORE SIX O'CLOCK NEXT MORNING SHE WAS TORPEDOED BY A GERMAN U-BOAT AND 62 CREWMEN, LOST THEIR LIVES . HER BOW BEING COMPLETLY BLOWN AWAY BACK TO `B'GUN H.M.S. CASSANDRA WAS TOWED BACK TO KOLA INLET. SERVICE IN THE ARCTIC CONVOYS CARRYING MILITARY SUPPLIES TO RUSSIA WAS PROBABLY THE MOST ARDUOUS AND UNPLEASANT TASK GIVEN TO ANY SHIP DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.ROYAL NAVY SIGNALMAN LOUIS JAMES BRITTAIN MY UNCLE ONE OF THE 62 CREW WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES WITH COURAGE AND VALOUR IN APPALLING WEATHER CONDITIONS THE CONVOYS WERE WITHIN RANGE OF GERMAN AIRCAFT, SURFACE SHIPS AND U-BOATS, AND LONG HOURS OF DAY LIGHT MEANT THERE WAS NO RESPITE FROM ATTACK. NEVERTHELESS THE CONVOYS PROVIDED VITAL SUPPORT TO SUSTAIN THE SOVIET STRUGGLE AGAINST GERMANY ON THE EASTERN FRONT WHICH MADE POSSIBLE THE SUCCESSFUL ALLIED INVATION IN THE WEST IN JUNE 1944.WHOSE NAMES ARE ON A REMEMBERANCE PLAQUE IN SOUTHSEA AND AT CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL IN KENT.

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