PQ-17 was just one of several disastrous Arctic Convoys. The loss of life and equipment was huge through 1944, but it kept the Soviet northern front armies in the game.
It is true there were other convoys that took heavy losses, but PQ-17 was by far the worse. Conversely, an awful lot of Arctic convoys were incredibly successful - I dont think a single ship was lost in the first ten that ran. And there were some where the casualties went the other way - convoy JW51B for example, which resulted in the battle of the Barents sea, where an attack by German surface units was most handily fought off by the escorts.
Which ended up amounting to using Devil's disciples to combat Hell's angels. Much to consider, and i am not expert, but perhaps enough aid in food and arms etc. should have been sent in mercy to enable the Soviets to keep from being defeated, or delay it and keep Germany tied up trying to, but not so much that they became such an offensive force that they beat the Allies to Berlin, gained to German documents and scientist, etc. and quickly began the 50 year cold war, which we still deal with.
Patton's idea was to rearm the Germans to fight the Soviets under US command, even if hardly feasible i suppose. But no "Uncle Joe."
Admiral King wouldn’t listen to The British Admiralty when it came to escorting convoys properly.He soon caught on!