Germany had no torpedo bomber force, in contrast to the forces of other world powers, even the other Axis nations like Italy with the land-based Aerosiluranti or the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service which used the Type 91 torpedo in the attack on Pearl Harbor, having revealed its manufacturing details to Germany in early August 1942.
In early 1942, when the Allied Arctic convoy cycle was becoming well established, the Luftwaffe was ordered to form a torpedo bomber force.
Two Gruppen, III/Kampfgeschwader 26 (III/KG 26) and III/Kampfgeschwader 30 (III/KG 30), were assigned to train and equip as anti-ship /anti-convoy units, with Heinkel He 111 and Junkers Ju 88 bombers, modified to carry two air-dropped torpedoes under the wings.
Devastating as the Goldene Zange had proved against PQ 18, the Allies quickly found counter-measures which reduced its effectiveness and inflicted crippling losses on the attackers.
The approaching formation was unable to take evasive action and was vulnerable to AA fire from the ships and escorts and attacks by fighter aircraft from the carrier.