A new history of the most crucial few months of the Arctic Convoys, when Germany’s air power forced the Allies to retreat to the cover of winter.

Between spring and autumn 1942, Germany was winning the battle of the
Arctic Convoys. Half of PQ-15 was sunk in May, PQ-17 was virtually
obliterated in July, and in September 30 percent of PQ-18 was sunk. The
Allies were forced to suspend the convoys until December, when the long
Arctic nights would shield them.

Mark Lardas argues that in 1942, it was Luftwaffe air power that made
the difference. With convoys sailing in endless daylight, German strike
aircraft now equipped and trained for torpedo attacks, and bases in northern
Norway available, the Luftwaffe could wreak havoc. Three-quarters of the
losses of PQ-18 were due to air attacks. But in November, the Luftwaffe was
redeployed south to challenge the Allied landings in North Africa, and the
advantage was lost. Despite that, the Allies never again sailed an Arctic
convoy in the summer months.

Fully illustrated with archive
photos, striking new artwork, maps and diagrams, this is the remarkable
history of the Luftwaffe’s last strategic victory of World War II.