After June 1941, when Germany launched its attack against Russia, Britain began convoying goods to Archangel and Murmansk across the Arctic Ocean. The first carried munitions and crated aircraft and was escorted by the carrier HMS "Argus" with its two dozen Hurricane fighters. HMS "Victorious" helped provide cover for ten of the 78 convoys that were completed between then and 1945, many of which were subjected to intense German bombing and U-boat attacks. The worst losses occurred with the joint British/American convoy PQ 17 to Murmansk of September 1942. It lost 23 of its 35 merchant ships due to attacks by German aircraft and submarines after close supporting convoy escort vessels were withdrawn. The main covering force, which included the "HMS Victorious", was too far away to help.