 Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz
 Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz
 Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz
 Picture Courtesy of Jim Kuntz
THE ARCTIC CAMPAIGN 1941-1945
May 2000
This Granite is Given
by the people of
Murmansk City, Russia
| To the people of Portland
Maine and to the United
States of America. |
In Memory of
Three Thousand
Men and Women
Who Gave Their Lives
In the Arctic Campaign
1941 ~ 1945 on Convoys
To and From
Russia
We Will Remember Them
Arranged by the Russian
Ambassador to Great Britain
In London, England, 1999
| Created for all Arctic
Veterans, by the Arctic
Campaign Memorial Trust |
This Peacetime project has brought together Allies of World War Two.
THE ARCTIC CAMPAIGN 1941-45
Germany was attacking Arctic Russia on its Eastern Front, USA and Britain offered essential goods to Russia via Norway's North Cape; the Royal navy's Home Fleet, busy protecting Atlantic and Malta Convoys and British Mainland Defenses, added "The Russian Run" to its tasks.
The first Russia Convoy sailed from Liverpool, England, to Murmansk July 12th 1941. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, called it, "The world's sorts theater of the war." Last convoy ailed home from Murmansk 23rd May 1945, completing a four year operation. 24 hours of daylight in summer and always close to enemy forces, made British, American and Allied losses of, ships, aircraft, was, materials, and men, devastating. 24 hours of darkness in winter gave no protection from high seas with 40 foot waves, raging storms and enemy action made life on ice encrusted ships a living hell.
These Arctic Convoys delivered thousands of tons of food oil and guns, tanks, trucks, clothing, aircraft, ships and ammunition, helping the Russians hold back the Germans. The Allies at the same time were preparing to clear Europe of German occupations (The Second Front). A high price was paid, scores of ships sunk with many thousands of tons of supplies. "HMS Edinburg was sunk carrying five million pounds worth of gold bars." Thousands of sailors were killed; others suffered horrible injuries, frostbite, and exposure. Surviving Arctic Veterans made donations for this memorial in remembrance of the sailors, airmen, soldiers and civilians, who died fighting in the Arctic campaign, to keep the world free.
It was unveiled by Nicholas Mavodones, mayor of Portland, Maine, USA and Ronald J. Wren, Chairman of the Arctic Campaign Memorial Trust, United Kingdom, May 20th 2006.
This granite is given by the People of Murmansk City, Russia; Arranged by the Russian Ambassador to Great Britain on London, England, 1999; Created for all Arctic Veterans, by the Arctic campaign Memorial Trust; May 2000. The Arctic Campaign memorial Trust [UK Charity number 802671.] lifted this memorial, to Portland, USA, May 20th 2006.
Fore St. & Eastern Promenade, Fort Allen Park, Portland, Cumberland County Maine
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