On 1 March 1942, she provided close escort for Convoy PQ 12 in company with the battlecruiser , the cruiser , and six destroyers. On 6 March, that force was reinforced with one of "Duke of York"s sister-ships, , and the aircraft carrier , the heavy cruiser , and six destroyers as a result of Admiral John Tovey's concerns that the battleship might attempt to intercept the convoy. On 6 March, the German battleship put to sea and was sighted by a British submarine around 19:40; no contact was made, however, except for an unsuccessful aerial torpedo attack by aircraft from "Victorious".