In support of the convoy escort, and guarding against a sortie by the German battleship "Tirpitz", was a Heavy Cover Force, comprising the battleships "Duke of York" (V. Adm. ATB Curteis commanding), "King George V", the battlecruiser "Renown", the aircraft carrier , two cruisers, "Kent" and "Edinburgh", and sixteen destroyers. ("Ashanti", "Bedouin", "Echo", "Escapade", "Eskimo", "Faulknor", "Foresight", "Icarus", "Inglefield", "Ledbury", "Marne", "Middleton", "Onslow", "Punjabi", "Tartar" and "Wheatland") This force was intended to accompany PQ 13 at a distance until it was past Bear Island.