Convoy JW 51B

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Convoy JW 51B
Part of World War II
Date 30 December 1942 – 3 January 1943 Location Arctic Ocean & North Cape Norway Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Germany
Commanders and leaders
Robert Burnett Robert Sherbrooke  (WIA) R. A Melhuish John Tovey	Oskar Kummetz Hans-Jürgen Stumpff Karl Doenitz
Strength
2 light cruisers (after 3 hours) 6 destroyers 2 corvettes 1 minesweeper 2 trawlers	2 heavy cruisers 6 destroyers
Casualties and losses
1 destroyer sunk 1 destroyer damaged 1 minesweeper sunk 250 killed	1 cruiser damaged 1 destroyer sunk 330 killed

Convoy JW 51B was an Arctic convoy sent from United Kingdom by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in late December 1942, reaching the Soviet northern ports in early January 1943.

JW 51B came under attack by German surface units, engaged in Operation Regenbogen, on 31 December. In the clash that ensued, one defending minesweeper and one attacking destroyer were sunk with all hands and a defending destroyer was sunk; no ships were lost from the convoy. This engagement became known as the Battle of the Barents Sea.