PQ 17 was the first Anglo-American operation in European waters, and the intelligence picture suggested a worst-case possibility rather than a settled fact. In continuous Arctic daylight, a strong German surface group might reach the merchants while submarines and aircraft added further threats. The Royal Navy feared repeating the kind of misdirection that had damaged decision-making during Norway in 1940. With the Arctic convoy ahead of the battle force and Atlantic convoys behind it, no option protected every interest at once.
Notable Point · 24:57-27:02
Pound's feared worst-case scenario
A possible German surface sortie in perpetual daylight forced commanders to balance an exposed Arctic convoy against Atlantic convoy security.