Operation Benedict: British Hurricanes in the Arctic

On August 30, 1941, Stalin received another message from British Prime Minister Churchill. It stated: “Our two squadrons, comprising 40 Hurricanes, are due to arrive in Murmansk around September 6… These aircraft are armed with 8-12 machine guns. We have found them to be very deadly in action.” This informed the Soviet side that the British were ready to launch Operation Benedict.

Following Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union, British military and political leaders quickly realized that the USSR’s defeat would subsequently lead to their own downfall. Speaking as early as June 22, Winston Churchill declared: “The danger to Russia is our danger!” and pledged comprehensive aid to the USSR. On June 24, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt also supported him, marking the beginning of the anti-Hitler coalition’s formation.

Formation of the 151st RAF Wing

In late July 1941, a special aviation unit, the 151st Wing of the Royal Air Force, was formed in England. Command was taken by N. Ramsbottom-Isherwood, a hero of the “Battle of Britain.” The wing comprised the 81st and 134th Squadrons, totaling 39 Hawker Hurricane II fighters.

On August 11, its personnel—900 pilots, engineers, technicians, and soldiers—gathered at Scapa Flow Bay in northern Scotland. The 151st Wing faced several crucial tasks: to provide technical assistance to the Red Army, train Soviet pilots on unfamiliar aircraft for anticipated Lend-Lease deliveries, and assess the Hurricane’s performance in Arctic conditions.

Additionally, they aimed to study the northern theater of operations and observe the tactics of the Soviet Air Force, which, despite the alliance, was still considered a “potential adversary.” The first 24 aircraft of Group “A”, codenamed “Argus”, were dispatched to the USSR as a priority, with the remaining 11 temporarily staying at Scapa Flow.

Joint Combat Operations in the Arctic

In mid-August 1941, “Argus” began its flight route to Arkhangelsk and then to Vaenga (now Severomorsk) and Kola. Nearing Vaenga, the group was attacked by German fighters, and in the ensuing dogfight, the British shot down three Messerschmitts. The 151st Wing comprised highly experienced pilots, including Squadron Leader Major M. Rook and other “Battle of Britain” heroes, each with several downed German aircraft to their credit, providing valuable experience to share with Soviet aviators.

Joint training and combat operations quickly began. On September 26, B. Safonov took to the air in a Hurricane, followed by others. In October 1941, the 78th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the Northern Fleet Air Force was formed using the aircraft received from the British, with Hero of the Soviet Union B. Safonov as its commander.

Lieutenant D. Sinev shot down the first enemy aircraft in a joint operation. His group of six Hurricanes encountered five Me-109s and attacked in pairs. Sinev and his wingman, Junior Lieutenant P. Obuvalov, achieved success in their first aerial combat, downing one German fighter, a feat for which Safonov commended Sinev’s composure.

In November 1941, a trio from the 78th Regiment, including Sergeant P. Semenenko, encountered two reconnaissance Me-109s. Semenenko, despite cloudy conditions and delayed assistance, attacked and shot down both. Tragically, Semenenko’s life ended minutes later when he crashed into hills while returning to base in thick fog.

Legacy and Farewell

British pilots were not idle either. Excerpts from 151st Wing combat logs cited by H. Griffith note successful engagements against German bombers and fighters, including two Messerschmitts downed by the 81st Squadron. However, the wing also suffered its first loss when Sergeant N. J. Smith was killed during an attack on Ju-88s, although three enemy aircraft were also destroyed. By early October, 151st Wing pilots had destroyed 15 German aircraft.

In March 1942, Major B. Safonov was appointed commander of the 2nd Guards Combined Red Banner Aviation Regiment. His pilots achieved many notable victories, but one of the most remarkable was the battle against the 6th Detachment of the German Air Force’s 5th Fighter Wing in April 1943. This detachment had approximately 400 Allied aircraft shot down in Western Europe between 1939-1941.

On April 19, 1943, during an attack on Murmansk and Vaenga, Junior Lieutenant N. Bokiy of the Soviet forces shot down German ace R. Müller, a Knight’s Cross recipient with 89 personal victories. This decisive engagement saw only one enemy aircraft escape, demoralizing the German unit, which subsequently declared mourning and ceased operations for ten days.

A friendly dinner organized by Major General Kuznetsov, commander of the Northern Fleet Air Force, saw British pilots receive Italian accordions and enjoy Russian hospitality. In return, they presented Kuznetsov with a personal Hawker Hurricane. As British fighters continued to arrive via Allied convoys, prepared Soviet pilots received them. The departing 151st Wing also left all its equipment behind.

The British were seen off in November 1941 with a Hurricane flypast. Major General Kuznetsov led in his named aircraft, with Hero of the Soviet Union Boris Safonov, then a Victoria Cross recipient, flying as his wingman.