A cruiser cover force comprising Belfast (V.Adm R Burnett commanding), Norfolk, and Sheffield also followed the convoy, to guard against attack by surface units.
JW 55A was opposed by a U-boat force of eight boats in a patrol line, code-named Eisenbart, in the Norwegian Sea.
[1] On 20 December the convoy was met by the eastern local escort, three Soviet destroyers and a British minesweeper.
All 19 ships of JW 55A arrived safely, though the presence of Adm. Fraser and his force caused much suspicion among the Soviets.
[2] The German forces in Norway were discomfited by their lack of activity, and took steps to re-inforce their patrol line in the Arctic, against the next Allied convoy.