WW II -- Second Battle of the Atlantic Lesson 14 WW II -- Second Battle of the Atlantic

Lesson Objectives •  Understand the magnitude and significance of the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II. •  Understand the degree of British dependence on maritime lines of communication. •  Describe U.S. participation in the Battle of the Atlantic prior to December 1941. •  Describe and analyze the tactics and technology used by both sides in the Battle of the Atlantic. •  Understand the importance of code breaking in the Atlantic war.

"The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril." Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, Volume II, Their Finest Hour 1949

The Battle of the Atlantic Begins ( 0:50 – 8:00 ) "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

The U-boat Threat Hitler told the Kriegsmarine that the war would not begin until 1945 (January 1939) The Kriegsmarine built Plan Z, their expansion blueprint, on this target • 249 U-boats by 1944 Admiral Karl Dönitz (1891-1980) German Submarine Commander

Germany had 57 operational U-boats in September 1939 The U-boat Threat Germany had 57 operational U-boats in September 1939 • Only about half of these were effective ocean-going units Type VIIC U-boat Range: 8,500 nm Crew: 44-52 Torpedo load: 14

Source: The World At War

Allied Strategy • Protect existing shipping • Build to replace shipping losses, expand fleet • Go on the offensive against the U-boats

Allied Strategy • Protect existing shipping • Build to replace shipping losses, expand fleet • Go on the offensive against the U-boats

Allied Strategy • Protect existing shipping • Employ convoy system immediately • Increase escort capability

Ships Lost vs. Built 1939 - 1941 Source

Convoy System RN employed convoys from start • Did not have enough escorts • Started crash construction program USN did not use convoys initially • Second “Happy Time” * for Germans * Jan-Aug 1942

Convoy System Introduction of • Aircraft • More escorts • Hunter-Killer tactics (later) … turned the tide

Flower-class Corvettes Length: 205 feet Displacement: 940 tons Speed: 16 knots 394 built (UK, Canada) Video Link

Attributed to Samuel Clements (1835-1910) Remember this one? History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes. Attributed to Samuel Clements (1835-1910) 16

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare August 17, 1940 Hitler Declares Unrestricted Blockade Around British Isle

Unrestricted Submarine Warfare America Gets Involved August 17, 1940 Hitler Declares Unrestricted Blockade Around British Isle September 2, 1940 Destroyers For Bases Agreement

Destroyers For Bases September 2, 1940 US provided 50 WW I destroyers in exchange for bases

Destroyers For Bases September 2, 1940 US provided 50 WW I destroyers in exchange for bases Bases in Newfoundland, Bermuda, West India, Guiana Destroyers became RN Town-class • Named for North American cities and towns with namesake in UK … became HMS Lewes

Events September 2, 1940 Destroyers For Bases Agreement Selective Training and Service Act • First US “peacetime” draft Jan-March 1941 American-British Staff Conference

American-British Staff Conference Washington, DC - Jan-Mar 1941 Discussed issues of coalition warfare “Germany First” decision • In the event of war with Germany & Japan, defeat of Germany would have highest priority “Made before American entry into World War II, in the context of a world threatened by Axis aggression in Europe and Asia, the judgment that Germany must be defeated first stands as the most important single strategic concept of the war.” Louis Morton "Germany First: The Basic Concept of Allied Strategy in World War II" Command Decisions, Kent Roberts Greenfield (ed) Washington: US Army Center of Military History, 2000 22

Events September 2, 1940 Destroyers For Bases Agreement Selective Training and Service Act • First US “peacetime” draft Jan-March 1941 American-British Staff Conference March 11, 1941 Lend-Lease Act

Lend-Lease Act (March 11, 1941) President of the United States authorized to "sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government [whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States] any defense article". • No repayment requirement - > $50 B transferred Significance • US officially became a logistics participant in the war • Added further emphasis to US mobilization

Events September 2, 1940 Destroyers For Bases Agreement Selective Training and Service Act • First US “peacetime” draft Jan-March 1941 American-British Staff Conference March 11, 1941 Lend-Lease Act April 4, 1941 British ships allowed for repairs April 24, 1941 US warships report German navy moves July 1941 US assumed occupation of Iceland

Occupation of Iceland April 9, 1940 - Denmark occupied by Germany Critical Location April 9, 1940 - Denmark occupied by Germany May 10, 1940 - British invade & occupy Iceland July 1941 - US Marines assume occupation responsibility

Occupation of Iceland US Marines in Iceland

Events August 9-12, 1941 Roosevelt & Churchill meet in Newfoundland Roosevelt departs Library of Congress www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/britobje.html

The Atlantic Conference Argentia, Newfoundland August 9-12, 1941

Established Allied vision for a post war world Atlantic Charter Joint declaration of August 14, 1941 Established Allied vision for a post war world Major Principles: 1. No territorial gains sought by the United States or the United Kingdom. 2. Territorial adjustments in accord with wishes of the peoples concerned. 3. People have a right to self-determination. 4. Trade barriers to be lowered. 5. Global economic cooperation and advancement of social welfare. 6. Freedom from want and fear to be enforced. 7. Freedom of the seas 8. Disarmament of aggressor nations and postwar common disarmament

Events September 1, 1941 US warships escort convoys containing US vessels September 11, 1941 US warships ordered to “shoot on sight”

Events October 31, 1941 USS Reuben James sunk by U-boat • 100 killed USS Reuben James DD-245 Link

Speed: 21 knots Range: 10,800 nm @ 12 knots Crew: 15 / 201 Destroyer Escorts (DE) USS Slater (DE-766) Displacement: 1,240 tons (std) 1,620 tons (full) Dimensions: 306' (oa), 300' (wl) x 36' 10" x 11' 8" (max) Armament: 3 x 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 twin 40mm Mk1 AA, 8 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 3 x 21" Mk15 TT (3x1), 1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks Machinery: 4 GM Mod. 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws Speed: 21 knots Range: 10,800 nm @ 12 knots Crew: 15 / 201 Source

Destroyer Escorts (DE) Fleet destroyer Fletcher class Destroyer Escort Cannon class Destroyer escorts did not need speed of fleet destroyers • 21 knots vs. 35 knots for destroyers DEs could be smaller, cheaper, easier to produce

Prefabricated DE parts arrive at Mare Island CA from Denver Building DEs Prefabricated DE parts arrive at Mare Island CA from Denver

DE construction techniques Building DEs DE construction techniques

Rolling out a completed DE hull Building DEs Rolling out a completed DE hull Bay City, MI

Other Threats FW 200 Condor Maritime Patrol Aircraft Source

Catapult Armed Merchantmen HAWKER “HURRICAT” Source Source

Catapult Armed Merchantman (CAM) ( 15:05 – 16:40 ) "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

Catapult Armed Merchantmen Operational History HMS Ariguani 35 CAM ships converted • Made 175 voyages, 1941-1943 • 12 were lost to enemy action (34%) Eight operational catapult launchings Six enemy aircraft shot down One RN pilot lost Source

Other Threats Surface Raiders Pocket Battleships / Heavy Cruisers Example: Admiral Graf Spee Auxiliary Cruisers Example: Atlantis

Surface Raiders Pocket Battleships & Heavy Cruisers Six 11-inch guns Eight 5.9-inch guns Speed: 21 knots Displacement: 16,200 tons Admiral Graf Spee War Cruise August-December 1939 Sank 9 merchant ships (50,000 tons) Scuttled, December 17, 1939 Off Montevideo, Uruguay After battle with thee British cruisers Video

Surface Raiders Auxiliary Cruisers Auxiliary Cruiser Atlantis Atlantis with dummy funnel Armament Layout Hidden torpedo tubes & guns

Surface Raiders Auxiliary Cruisers Auxiliary Cruiser Atlantis Atlantis with dummy funnel First auxiliary cruiser to sink a merchant ship Circumnavigated the globe Highest tonnage sunk of all surface raiders • 22 ships, 146,000 tons

Allied Strategy • Protect existing shipping • Build to replace shipping losses, expand fleet • Expand US shipbuilding industry • Apply mass production techniques to shipbuilding

All was ruled by that harsh and despotic factor, shipping. Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, Volume III, The Grand Alliance 1950

Liberty Ships Based on a British design • Simple, welded hull • Proven 1890-era steam engine Originally tagged “ugly duckling” by FDR “Liberty” campaign by Maritime Commissioner Emory Land changed image • First ship: Patrick Henry • Liberty Fleet Day: 15 ships launched across country (Sept. 27, 1941)

US Shipbuilding US Maritime Commission Source

Henry J. Kaiser Industrialist (1882-1967) Began in construction: Hoover Dam, Grand Coolee Dam, SF Bay Bridge Joined with Todd Shipbuilding (1939) Built two new shipyards: Richmond CA & Portland OR Introduced mass production techniques to build standardized ships • Liberty ships, Victory ships; C-1, C-2, C-3 cargo; T-1, T-2, T-3 tankers Record for one Liberty ship: 4 days, 15 hours, 30 minutes Source

Kaiser Shipyard - Richmond, CA Shipyards Kaiser Shipyard - Richmond, CA 1943

Workforce

Rosie the Riveter Norman Rockwell - 1943 Source

"Your must tell your children, putting all modesty aside, that without us, without women, there would have been no spring in 1945." Source

Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune Rosie the Riveter Update The Riveter The Rifleman Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune January 25, 2013

Workforce Rosie the Riveter Wanda the Welder

Mass Production Techniques

Mass Production Techniques

Mass Production Techniques

Mass Production Techniques

Mass Production Techniques

Record for one Liberty ship: 4 days, 15 hours, 30 minutes The Finished Product Record for one Liberty ship: 4 days, 15 hours, 30 minutes

Liberty Ships One of 2,718 built at 17 US shipyards SS Jeremiah O’Brien National Liberty Ship Memorial Speed: 11 knots Royal Navy Photo One of 2,718 built at 17 US shipyards Source Source

Victory Ships Larger, faster than Liberty ship 550 built SS United Victory Source

SS Huntington Hills (completed in 33 days) T-2 Tankers 533 built Source SS Huntington Hills (completed in 33 days) Source 523 feet long overall • 68 foot beam • 30 foot draft 10,448 Gross tons 21,880 Loaded displacement tons 6,000 shaft horsepower Turbo-Electric propulsion Speed 14.5-16 knots Liquid capacity 141,200 barrels (nearly 6 million gal) Aircraft on “skeleton deck” Source

Concrete Ships Shortage of steel caused search for alternatives. SS Arthur Talbot Shortage of steel caused search for alternatives. Concrete ships had been tried in WW I with limited success. WW II: 24 built in Tampa beginning in 1942 but with limited use • Two crossed Atlantic and were used as breakwaters • Others used for training in US ConcreteShips.org

Allied Strategy • Protect existing shipping • Build to replace shipping losses, expand fleet • Go on the offensive against the U-boats • Improve intelligence on U-boat operations • Close Mid-Atlantic Gap • Develop Hunter-Killer teams

Signals Intelligence ( SIGINT ) Enigma Source

Enigma Source

Enigma Bletchley Park Alan Turing’s “Bombe” Source

Enigma British intelligence received its first Enigma machine in 1939 from Polish military Additional machines captured by Royal Navy • May 9, 1941: U-110 off Iceland • October 30, 1942: U-559 in the Mediterranean USN captured U-505, June 4, 1944 Source

High Frequency Direction Finding (HF/DF) ( ELINT ) High Frequency Direction Finding (HF/DF) “Huff-Duff” German subs required to report positions Allies used information to reroute convoys • Later used to direct Hunter- Killer task forces

Source: The World At War Mid-Atlantic Gap Source: The World At War

Maritime Patrol Aircraft USAAF A-29 Hudson RAF Liberator Source RAF Fortress Blimps

Maritime Patrol Aircraft Caught On The Surface – Robert Taylor Source RAF Sunderland Flying Boat – Coastal Command vs. U-461 20 July 1943 – Bay of Biscay

Airborne Detection Tools Leigh Light Powerful aircraft light for night attacks Introduced June 1942

Airborne Detection Tools Airborne Radar Antenna Detail RAF Coastal Command Liberator Mk III with ASV radar Permitted location of submarines in bad weather and at night First U-boat kill November 1941

Pioneering video documentary 1952-53

Going on the Offensive (0 – 7:04) "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

Escort Carrier Built in Kaiser shipyards on T-3 tanker hulls USS Bogue

Comparison With Fleet Carrier Escort Carrier Comparison With Fleet Carrier

Laid Down: 1 Oct 41 Launched: 15 Jan 42 Commissioned: 28 Sep 42 USS Bogue CVE-9 Laid Down: 1 Oct 41 Launched: 15 Jan 42 Commissioned: 28 Sep 42 Displacement: 7,800 tons standard; 15,700 tons full load (design) Length: 495' 8" (151.1 m) Beam: 111.5'  (34 m) Power plant: 2 boilers (285 psi); 1 steam turbine; 1 shaft; 8,500 shp Speed: 16.5 knots Armament: 2 single 5"/51 (later 5"/38) gun mounts; (1943) 8 twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; (1943) 27 single 20-mm/70-cal gun mounts Aircraft: 24 Aviation facilities: 2 elevators; 1 hydraulic catapult Crew: 890 Source

Hunter-Killer Team Slide 8

Hunter Becomes the Hunted U-118 under attack by aircraft from USS Bogue June 12, 1943 Source

Capture of U-505 Task Force 22.3 June 4, 1944 Escort carrier Guadalcanal (CVE-60) Captain Dan Gallery Commander Five destroyer escorts: Pillsbury (DE-133) Pope (DE-134), Flaherty (DE-135), Chatelain (DE-149), Jenks (DE-665)

Capture of U-505 "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

Boarding Party Arrives from USS Pillsbury Capture of U-505 June 4, 1944 Boarding Party Arrives from USS Pillsbury

First USN combat prize since War of 1812 Capture of U-505 First USN combat prize since War of 1812

Capture of U-505 USS Guadalcanal towing U-505

Captain Daniel V. Gallery Players in U-505 Capture Captain Daniel V. Gallery LT(jg) Albert L. David

Captain Daniel V. Gallery Players in U-505 Capture Captain Daniel V. Gallery • Commander, Task Group 22.3 • Set his sights on capturing a U-boat • After capture, Navy did not know what to do with him • Decorate him • Court martial him • Eventually promoted him to rear admiral Why?

Players in U-505 Capture LT(jg) Albert L. David • Asst. Engineering Officer on USS Pillsbury • Led boarding party to U-505 • Remained inside sub despite threat of scuttling charges & open sea valves • Awarded Medal of Honor • Only MH awarded for Battle of Atlantic

May 1943: The Turning Point “What is now decisive is that enemy aircraft have been equipped with a new location apparatus … which enables them to detect submarines and attack them in low cloud, bad visibility, or at nights. Much the largest number of submarines now being sunk are being sunk by aircraft. … These losses are too high. We must now husband our resources because, to do anything else, would simply be to play the enemy’s game” Admiral Dönitz to Hitler, May 1943 Source

U-boat Losses By Month U-boat.net

Ship Losses 1940 - 1945

Ships Lost vs. Built 1939-1945 Source

Ships Built by US Maritime Commission US Shipbuilding US Maritime Commission Ships Built by US Maritime Commission 1939-1947 Source 5,500+ ships

Losses Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago

Victory in the Atlantic ( 25:26 - 26:29) "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013

"The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land, at sea, in the air, depended ultimately on its outcome.” Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, Volume V, Closing the Ring 1951

The Second Battle of the Atlantic “The German people do not understand the sea” Attributed to Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (1849-1930)

WW II – The Axis Advances Next: Lesson 15 WW II – The Axis Advances

Lesson Objectives •  Describe and analyze the German decision process to attack the Soviet Union in June 1941. •  Describe and analyze the operational and logistic implications of Operation Barbarossa. •  Understand and be able to discuss the impact of total war within the Soviet Union. •  Understand how the initial successes of the German invasion of the USSR turned into such a total disaster. •  Be able to describe the magnitude of the Soviet-German War and its impact on the outcome of World War II.

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Video Title "The Circle of Modern War" and logo © Thomas D. Pilsch 2007-2013