![Torpedo attack on outbound Arctic convoy PQ18, September 1942 [Public domain, wiki]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Warticconvoy1-e1410627121483.jpg)
Torpedo attack on outbound Arctic convoy PQ18, September 1942 [Public domain, wiki]
This week in the war, on 12 September 1942, U-boats and the Luftwaffe launched attacks, which continued for several days, against important Allied convoys heading through the Arctic Ocean towards Murmansk—–most notably against outbound convoy PQ18.
![Battleship HMS Duke of York on Arctic convoy duty [Public domain, wiki]](https://secondbysecondworldwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Warticconvoy2-e1410627413409-300x290.jpg)
Battleship HMS Duke of York on Arctic convoy duty [Public domain, wiki]
Convoy PQ18, which was carrying war aid, including
Lend-Lease aid, to Russia, comprised 40 merchant vessels plus an escort of destroyers and corvettes, and an aircraft carrier. Battleships HMS Duke of York and HMS Anson were held at a distance in reserve.
Germany committed a dozen U-boats and a surface fleet of cruisers based in Norway.
In the end, 13 merchants ships were lost but enough survived for the Allies to consider the operation successful. The Kriegsmarine lost three U-boats. The Luftwaffe lost 40 aircraft and, more significantly, their complement of trained pilots and crew.