Arms for Russia and the Naval War in the Arctic, 1941-1945 fundamentally reassesses the operations by the Western Allies to deliver war supplies to Russia via the Arctic sea route between 1941 and 1945. It explores the motives underpinning Western aid, its real impact on the Soviet war effort, and its influence on wider Allied and German strategy as the war developed. It brings to life key participants, political and military, describes the interaction of intelligence with high policy and tactics, and brings a fresh perspective to key events, including the notorious convoy PQ 17. It also emphasizes that the Arctic conflict was not framed solely by the supply convoys, important though they were. British, German and Russian operations in a theater - defined by Adolph Hitler in early 1942 as the "zone of destiny" - were shaped by other perceived opportunities and threats. For instance, Germany concentrated its fleet in Norway to forestall a potential British attack while attempting land offensives to cut Russia's links with its northern ports. It also had vital raw materials to protect. Britain explored potential operations with Russia to dislodge Germany from the Arctic coast and sever her access to important resources.