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Arctic Ordeal: 58 Crew Lost, 9 Survive Arctic Nightmare
29 Nov
Summary
- Nearly all 58 crew members died after a shipwreck in the Arctic.
- Nine survivors endured two months of extreme hunger and frostbite.
- A gunner's survival account reveals grim decisions made to stay alive.
In November 1942, the SS Chulmleigh, en route to aid the Soviet Union, ran aground on a reef near Spitzbergen, Norway. Of the 58 crew members, only nine ultimately survived a harrowing two-month struggle for life in the unforgiving Arctic. The survivors endured extreme conditions, including crippling frostbite, gangrenous limbs, and agonizing hunger, clinging to hope in makeshift shelters.
The grim reality of their situation led to drastic measures. With dwindling supplies and mounting deaths from exposure, the fittest members of the crew made brutal decisions to conserve resources, at times leading to "summary executions." This descent into a fight for survival was documented by gunner Richard Peyer, whose unpublished account sheds light on the psychological and physical toll.
After over two months stranded, the nine surviving men were discovered by astonished Norwegian soldiers. They were eventually transported to safety and returned to Britain in June 1943. This extraordinary tale of resilience and the dark choices made in extremis highlights the brutal nature of survival during wartime in the harsh Arctic environment.
