The Arkhangelsk Branch actively participated in events devoted to 75th anniversary of arrival of the Dervish first allied northern convoy in the seaport of Arkhangelsk.

Within the city program of celebrations, which are held during the period of August 29 to 31, the Arkhangelsk Branch organized thematic photo exhibitions in the Talagi airport and in the Arkhangelsk Region Government building, devoted to work of the seaport of Arkhangelsk and pilot service of the seaport during the years of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945.

Besides, on August 31 a Naval parade of ships of the Northern Fleet will be held in the seaport of Arkhangelsk water area, where Kapitan Evdokimov icebreaker of the Arkhangelsk Branch will take part.

For reference:
The Dervish Arctic Convoy (operation “Dervish”) is the first small special slow-moving ocean convoy sent to the USSR during the Second World War with strategic cargo.

After the USSR joined the war, the first arctic convoy consisting of 7 watercraft (6 cargo steamships and one tanker of auxiliary fleet) was formed.

The transport vessels were loaded with strategically important raw materials (10,000 tons of rubber 1,500 tons of uniform shoes, tin, wool and a variety of other tools and equipment), and military equipment (3800 depth charges and magnetic mines, 15 disassembled “Hurricane” Hawkers) and also fuel.

The convoy left the seaport of Liverpool (England) on August 12, 1941 and headed for Scapa Flow (the Orkney Islands), on August 16 it arrived in Hvalfordur (Iceland) for refueling. After a short stop in Hvalfordure, on August 21, 1941 the convoy headed for Arkhangelsk. Unnoticed by by the German aerial reconnaissance, the convoy arrived in Arkhangelsk on August 31, 1941 without losses.