"...I enjoyed the book; it is a short and easy read, and some of the actions are very well described..."

The Naval Review

"This superbly researched book tells the story of one of the most significant maritime operations of the Second World War.

This is a very comprehensive history of this vital convoy and I would very highly recommend it to our readers."

Shipping, Today & Yesterday - June 2024

"Extensively researched, this book is a real page-turner. It's written in a narrative style that puts the reader beside its protagonists on both sides, describing their probable thoughts and actions in the face of events."

Powerships Magazine - Winter 2024

I enjoyed the book, the author added a very personal touch to the story.

An epic tale, well told.

Peter Wykeham-Martin - Scuttlebutt, Warship World

The title is slightly misleading as the book covers the passage of both PQ.18 and the return convoy QP.14.
PQ.18, one of 40 supply convoys to north Russia, and the associated convoy QP.14, one of 35 return convoys, were the most heavily defended and protected of all the convoys to and from north Russia between 1941 and 1945 whilst PQ.18 suffered the most sustained attacks on any Russian convoy.

The complexity of the movements of the ships involved and the multiplicity of events experienced during the passage of both convoys particularly PQ.18 presents a significant challenge for any author within the boundaries of the overall chronology. John Mackay has succeeded in compiling a compelling narrative which immerses the reader in the drama of these events as experienced by those involved by focussing the reader’s attention on vivid descriptions of a number of key events. Where there is a lack of historical evidence John offers the reader a series of dramatic eye-witness reconstructions within the framework of key events designed to offer some insight into the experiences of those who participated including those German U-boat and Luftwaffe aircrews whose testament does not survive.

Whether or not PQ.18 changed to course of the second world war is open to debate. However although the Admiralty could not possibly have realised it at that time, we now know the success achieved in the passages of PQ.18 and QP.14 marked a turning point in the safe passage of the supply convoys to north Russia. After PQ.18 there would be no more large-scale deployments of Luftwaffe aircraft in northern Norway for some time. Before the convoy cycle resumed at the end of December 1942 developments in the Mediterranean and North Africa would result in the transfer to there of the Ju.88 and He.111 heavy-bomber and torpedo-bomber forces. The increased pressure on the Luftwaffe resources brought about by the North African campaign thus produced some measure of relief for the convoys to North Russia and minimised the losses of materiel vital to the Russian war effort.

With convoy operations historically invariably described in terms of numbers of ships, submarines and aircraft involved, the contribution of the thousands of civilian and military personnel involved on both sides at sea, in the air, or on land in direct support, deserves greater recognition. John’s contribution goes a long way to remind us of this oversight.

Thus the essential and enduring theme of John’s book is memorialisation – helping people to remember and understand the experiences of those who sailed in PQ.18 and QP.14, and by extension the wider community, of all those who served on the north Russia run between 1941 and 1945.

William Smith

The ideal format for capturing the heartfelt stories accessed here in dedicated study and research and more importantly actually listening and sharing the story of a Sailor who was there... from and through his words this book offers a really unique account: 'The persons Story' - their memories. Our stories are too often lost in facts and figures regurgitated from 'records' - that cannot capture the genuine Stories of a lived experience - they can and do reflect moments, but seldom can they portray the actual stories of those who were there. This book is the true story of lives experiences: it reflects the memories and experiences of true sailors and through story-telling crafts in many untold tales of experience through a profound grasp and knowledge of what it was to experience the Arctic Convoy PQ18. Thank You, John for your dedication to the Memories of all who served on the Russian Convoys... Thank You. Adrian.Admin: Arctic Convoys - Forgotten Heroes.

Adrian Wait