Merchant ship convoys, however, continued to suffer serious losses, and resupply of Malta from the east was considered untenable. A critically important convoy from the west was assembled in August 1942 as part of Operation Pedestal. Fourteen merchant vessels, including the American oiler SS "Ohio" were part of the convoy. Spitfires were to be launched from HMS "Furious" while air cover for the entire convoy was provided by fighters from three carriers, HMS "Eagle", HMS "Victorious", and HMS "Indomitable". Additional escort was provided by two battleships, seven cruisers, and 24 destroyers, forming the largest ever convoy to Malta. It was attacked by German and Italian submarines, other Axis warships and some 80 land-based torpedo- and dive-bombers, resulting in serious losses. "Eagle" was struck by a torpedo from "U-73" and sank. "Indomitable" sustained damage to her flight deck, leaving only "Victorious" remaining to provide fighter protection for the convoy, at least until she reached the turn-around point for most of the heavy escorts off Bizerte. The Spitfires were successfully launched, but only five of the 14 merchant ships survived the three day attack to arrive at Malta. One of them, damaged by three bomb hits, was the SS "Ohio", whose large delivery of oil sustained Malta and kept her assaulting Axis shipping and weakening the Axis Afrika Corps prior to the Battle of El Alamein. Arrival of "Ohio" was judged to justify the entire, costly effort.