Arctic convoys

An exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of the first Allied Arctic convoys to Russia is now on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, telling the story of this gruelling campaign, said to have been described by Winston Churchill as ‘the worst journey in the world'.

As well as the constant threat of attack by German U-boats and aircraft, the Arctic convoys also had to contend with severe cold, storms, fog and ice floes. This exhibition examines the challenges faced by the men on board: conditions so harsh that salt spray froze as it fell, waves so huge they tore at ships’ armour plating and pilots so numb with cold they had to be lifted out of their cockpits.

BBC History Magazine's editor Dave Musgrove talks to Quintin Colville, curator of naval history at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, about the arctic convoys and the exhibition itself, on our podcast. Visit our podcast page to hear more.

Arctic Convoys, 1941-45 is on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, until 28 February 2012 and admission is free. Find out more at the museum's website.