Lot Essay
D.S.C. London Gazette 1.12.1942 'For gallantry, skill and resolution in H.M. Ships escorting an important convoy to North Russia in the face of relentless attack by enemy aircraft and submarines'.
Lieutenant-Commander (E.) Robert Frederick McArt, D.S.C., was decorated for his services aboard the Escort Carrier H.M.S. Avenger during "Operation E.V.", the combined efforts of Convoys P.Q. 18 and Q.P. 14 which, in the wake of the disastrous "Convoy is to Scatter" P.Q. 17, must rank as one of the most important Arctic runs of the War. With 92 Torpedo-Bombers and 133 assorted long-range aircraft based in Northern Norway, the Luftwaffe had no doubts about the outcome of this courageous effort to 'turn the tide' in favour of future mercy-missions to Russia.
Avenger, carrying elements of 802, 825 and 883 Squadrons, Fleet Air Arm (Sea Hurricanes and Swordfish), joined "Operation E.V." en route to Archangel on 9.9.1942. And the first enemy aircraft assault arrived in the afternoon of 13 September, ineffectual efforts at bombing being followed up by a 'flight of locusts' in the form of 40 Torpedo-Bombers: In spite of the intense barrage put up by the Escort, and Gunners aboard the assorted Merchantmen, no less than eight ships were lost within the ten minute duration of the attack. Just five of the enemy's aircraft were downed and two more 'dangerous attacks' followed later that evening.
For his own part, McArt 'showed great skill and devotion to duty in maintaining the efficiency of the main engines and other machinery ... particularly during the actions on the 13th, 14th and 15th September', for the Luftwaffe came back again (and again). As did the U-Boats (P.R.O. ADM 1/12425 refers).
Tragically, the gallant McArt was lost in the Avenger on 15.11.1942, following her participation in "Operation Torch", when she was torpedoed by the U-155 west of Gibraltar. Hit abreast her Bomb Room, which exploded, she went down inside five minutes, just 17 men surviving out of a normal complement of 545 Officers and Ratings.
Lieutenant-Commander (E.) Robert Frederick McArt, D.S.C., was decorated for his services aboard the Escort Carrier H.M.S. Avenger during "Operation E.V.", the combined efforts of Convoys P.Q. 18 and Q.P. 14 which, in the wake of the disastrous "Convoy is to Scatter" P.Q. 17, must rank as one of the most important Arctic runs of the War. With 92 Torpedo-Bombers and 133 assorted long-range aircraft based in Northern Norway, the Luftwaffe had no doubts about the outcome of this courageous effort to 'turn the tide' in favour of future mercy-missions to Russia.
Avenger, carrying elements of 802, 825 and 883 Squadrons, Fleet Air Arm (Sea Hurricanes and Swordfish), joined "Operation E.V." en route to Archangel on 9.9.1942. And the first enemy aircraft assault arrived in the afternoon of 13 September, ineffectual efforts at bombing being followed up by a 'flight of locusts' in the form of 40 Torpedo-Bombers: In spite of the intense barrage put up by the Escort, and Gunners aboard the assorted Merchantmen, no less than eight ships were lost within the ten minute duration of the attack. Just five of the enemy's aircraft were downed and two more 'dangerous attacks' followed later that evening.
For his own part, McArt 'showed great skill and devotion to duty in maintaining the efficiency of the main engines and other machinery ... particularly during the actions on the 13th, 14th and 15th September', for the Luftwaffe came back again (and again). As did the U-Boats (P.R.O. ADM 1/12425 refers).
Tragically, the gallant McArt was lost in the Avenger on 15.11.1942, following her participation in "Operation Torch", when she was torpedoed by the U-155 west of Gibraltar. Hit abreast her Bomb Room, which exploded, she went down inside five minutes, just 17 men surviving out of a normal complement of 545 Officers and Ratings.