Battle of the Atlantic 1939–41

RAF Coastal Command's hardest fight against the U-boats

Battle of the Atlantic 1939–41 cover

Battle of the Atlantic 1939–41

RAF Coastal Command's hardest fight against the U-boats

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Description

This is the David-and-Goliath story of how RAF Coastal Command battled with outdated aircraft against the deadly U-boat fleet during the crucial first years of World War II.

In his six-volume series The Second World War, Winston Churchill wrote “The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.” But initially, everyone was surprised at the efficiency of the submarines. Sonar proved less effective a detection method than the British had predicted; surface attack made the U-boat invisible, especially at night; and wolf-pack tactics overwhelmed convoy escorts. Only faulty German torpedoes and the restricted number of available U-boats limited their success.
Astonishingly, Britain had the major piece of the solution to the U-boat threat from the opening days of World War II: the antisubmarine aircraft. If it had been used assiduously and effectively in the first months of the war, Britain might have won the Battle of the Atlantic in its first year. Instead, the opportunity was missed and the Battle of the Atlantic continued until Germany's surrender in May 1945.

This title examines the role played by aircraft in the early years of the Battle of the Atlantic. Highlighting their success when employed effectively, the book follows these early operations to show how and why aircraft were initially misused. It also traces the development of technologies which made aircraft more effective submarine killers including radar and depth charges.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chronology
Attacker's Capabilities
Defender's Capabilities
Campaign Objectives
The Campaign
Aftermath and Analysis
Further Reading
Index

Product details

Published Feb 18 2020
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472836038
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with around 60 photos and at least 14pp of colour illustrations
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series Air Campaign
Short code ACM 15
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Mark Lardas

Mark Lardas has always been fascinated by things r…

Illustrator

Edouard A. Groult

Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching histor…

Resources

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