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

Description

At the start of World War II, few thought the U-boat would be as devastating as it proved to be. But convoys and sonar-equipped escorts proved inadequate to defend the Allies' merchantmen, and the RAF's only offensive weapon was the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. For RAF Coastal Command, the first two years of the war were the hardest. Although starved of resources, operating with outdated aircraft and often useless weaponry, they were still the only force that could take the fight to the U-boats.


But in these two years, the RAF learned what it needed to win the Battle of the Atlantic. Gradually developing new tactics and technology, such as airborne radar, signals intelligence, and effective weaponry, the Allies ended 1941 in a position to defeat Dönitz's growing fleet of U-boats. This book, the first of two volumes, explains the fascinating history of how the RAF kept the convoys alive against the odds, and developed the force that would prevail in the climactic battles of 1942 and 1943.

Table of Contents

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

Product details

Published 20 Feb 2020
Format Ebook (Epub)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472836021
Imprint Osprey Publishing
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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