Operation Gauntlet
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During World War II, Operation Gauntlet was a Combined Operations raid by Canadian Infantry, British Commandos and Norwegian servicemen on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, 600 miles south of the North Pole, from 18 August, 1941, over several weeks.
The object was to destroy the rich coal mines there together with associated equipment and stores, which it was correctly believed the Germans intended to make use of. These mines on Norwegian territory were Soviet owned and operated and both governments agreed to their destruction as well as the evacuation of their respective nationals.
Originally a ground force of two battalions were scheduled, which was reduced to one on confirmation the Germans had not yet garrisoned the area. The ground force mainly comprised elements of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, with a party of Norwegian servicemen trained in and operating from Britain, and a demolition team of 118 officers and men of several Commandos and the Royal Engineers. Transportation was by the liner Empress of Canada escorted by two Royal Navy cruisers, three destroyers and several smaller ships.
The troops landed on the 25th and, as hoped, met no opposition throughout and were enthusiastically greeted by the islanders. Some 2000 Soviet miners were conveyed back to the port of Archangel (Arkhangelsk) in Russia by the liner and most of the convoy, where a group of nearly 200 Free French were found waiting. These French had escaped from German prison camps and were duly taken on board for passage to Britain.
Meanwhile on Spitsbergen, the demolition parties achieved all their tasks destroying the mines, equipment not transported with the Soviets to Russia, and 450’000 tons of coal and 275’000 Imperial gallons of fuel, oil, petrol and grease. 1000 tons of steam coal was left in case needed by Allied ships who may stop there in the future.
On 2 September the ships returned from Archangel when all forces ashore embarked together with some 800 locals and 15 sled dogs. The two radio stations were destroyed which up to this point had continued to broadcast normally, so as not to alert the Germans, and even falsely reported fog to deter any German observation planes.
The full convoy returned to Britain together with several Norwegian coastal ships. Some of the escort found the opportunity to break away and engage a German Naval formation, sinking one cruiser, one destroyer and two smaller vessels for no loss to themselves. The ships which made the excursion on to Russia had made a 7'000 mile round trip from Britain.