From May 1942, KG 26 engaged targets from Norway and sank a significant number of ships. Convoy PQ 10 and Convoy PQ 14 by KG 26 and 30 resulted in the sinking of two by air and two by submarine attack. It attacked Convoy PQ 16 and achieved success. In September 1942, I./KG 26 were involved in the destruction of Convoy PQ 17 and attacks on Convoy PQ 18, during the Arctic convoys. In the later operation, the III./KG 26 lost 52 crew missing, seven wounded and five killed. Against PQ17, aircraft sank 10 of the 24 ships; though U-boats claimed ships that had already been crippled by air attack. This amounted to 56,000 of the 142,000 grt sunk. 26 were supported by torpedo-equipped He 115s. Against PQ18 ten of the 13 ships were sunk by air attack. 26 and 30 had a hand in sinking a further three; all in 300 sorties. But the cost was high; 44 aircraft. The operations, despite the losses, were a vindication of Harlinghausen and the use of torpedo bombers.