This last summer, I spent a week at the National Archives and photographed approximately 6000 pages of Armed Guard reports for as many Murmansk Run ships as I could get my hands on. My primary emphasis was on the early 1942/43 convoys, but I do have them going through 1945. I cannot guarantee that I have the report, as some ships had very thin files and others didn't have a file at all. However, if it was there, chances are I photographed it. Likewise, I photographed everything related to the ships in the Assistant Naval Attache to Archangel's files, so there's often some good information there.
If you served on one of the ships, or had a loved one who did, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to send you what I have in the file. I am using the information to write a book about Soviet medals awarded in 1944 and 1945 to US sea service (Navy/MM/USCG) personnel and there's no reason I shouldn't share it with you all - particularly if you lived through it!
As an aside, being that I am writing about these medal recipients, I am looking for unpublished, original photos of Armed Guards and ships who took part in convoys PQ-13 through JW-53. I am authorized 1000 photos in my book and I would really like to convey to the reader what the Armed Guard fought through on their way to and from the USSR. If you can help at all, please contact me.
My e-mail: daveschwind@aol.com
Thank you!
Dave
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