Disaster strikes Convoy PQ17

7th July 1942: The isolated merchant ships of the former convoy are now picked off by U-Boats - and their crews face a terrible ordeal in the icy seas

Waves crashing over the bow, HMS DUKE OF YORK steaming at 20 to 25 knots during an Arctic convoy to Russia. She and the rest of the covering force were sent off to confront the Tirpitz which was believed to be poised to attack.