Background
German forces had completed their occupation of Norway in June 1940 and in June 1941, the Soviet Union (USSR) had been invaded (Operation Barbarossa). Immediately, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had declared common cause with the USSR. The Soviets requested a British naval presence off northern Russia and Rear Admiral Philip Vian visited Murmansk to assess the local situation. Due to logistical and other circumstances the British presence was limited to submarines.
Political pressure continued for an active British presence and Force K was formed at Scapa Flow to operate in the Arctic under the command of Philip Vian.
Read more about this topic: Operation Gauntlet
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