The extract turns Arctic convoy losses into a concrete logistics problem. It puts 77 aircraft, 147 tanks, and 717 military vehicles at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, one quarter of the cargo. A few Luftwaffe aircraft destroyed in a day equipment that a brigade might have taken a month to eliminate in combat. After PQ 15, Home Fleet commander Sir John Tovey and Admiral Bonham-Carter argued that summer convoys should stop unless northern Norwegian airfields could be neutralized or darkness restored cover. Admiral Pound agreed that the strategic situation favored the enemy. If the convoys continued for political reasons, the admirals expected very heavy losses.
Notable Point · 1:40-2:30
Arctic convoy cargo losses and political risk
The Target Tirpitz extract measures the military cargo lost in one Arctic convoy attack and explains why commanders questioned summer sailings despite political pressure to continue them.