Quote:
Originally Posted by rkomar
The numbers of the missions don't mean anything to me. In the prelude, it's mentioned that PQ-17, FR 71 and 74 were the three last major convoys, and that the next one was FR 77. I had no idea whether the numbers were made up or not.
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PQ-17 was notorious for the losses. It was Archangel-bound in June 1942. It was under repeated attack by U-boats and land-based aircraft, and there was the threat of surface attacks by
Turpitz,
Admiral Scheer and
Admiral Hipper. After the Admiralty ordered the convoy to scatter, the merchant ships were unprotected, which was when most of the losses happened. Out of 35 ships, 23 were sunk - a 65 % loss rate.