On 22 December Convoy RA 55A sailed from Kola, escorted by eight destroyers, including "Saumarez", two Canadian destroyers, three corvettes and a minesweeper. The outgoing convoy, JW 55B, had left Loch Ewe on 20 December and was expected to reach Bear Island on Christmas Day about the same time as RA 55A. Cruiser cover was provided east of Bear Island by , and , and heavy cover by the battleship and the cruiser .