Support for the Soviet Union in its fight against Germany was seen as strategically very important by both Churchill and Rosevelt. The first convoy sailed in August 1941 and the last returned to the Clyde in May 1945. The largest contingent of merchant ships was American registered. A total of 4 million tons of supplies were carried among which were at least 5,000 tanks and 7,000 aircraft. Given the hazardous nature of the undertaking; within range of enemy submarines, land based aircraft and major surface warships as well as the ice, winds and fogs, the campaign met with a high level of success only 7.5% of cargoes were lost. The cost to the Royal Navy, who supplied almost all the escorts and who had operational control was: two cruisers, six destroyers, one frigate, two sloops, two corvettes, four minesweepers. A Polish submarine was also lost.

• Convoys PQ12-QP8 01 March 1942 - 10 March 1942
• Convoys PQ13-QP9 24 March 1942 - 04 April 1942 (estimated date)
• Convoys PQ14-QP10 08 April 1942 - 24 April 1942
• Convoys PQ15-QP11 29 April 1942 - 14 May 1942