My dad started watching the Russian series about the WW2 PQ-17 convoy incident. He asked me what PQ stands for since I'm using the computer. I looked it up, but couldn't find the answer on any English-language site. However the Russian wiki-page for the arctic convoys claims that PQ stands (or stood) for the initials of P. Q. Edwards, a British officer in charge of the convoys. Neither my dad, nor I believe it to be so.
Could anyone shed some light on this?
Thank you.
the initials of P. Q. Edwards, a British officer in charge of the convoys.
The PQ didn't really stand for anything. PQ was used in 1941/2 to designate outbound convoys travelling from Britain to the USSR, while QP was used to designate inbound convoys from the USSR to Britain. From December 1942, a JW identifier designated outbound convoys, while RA designated inbound ones.