1. Battle of the Atlantic

2. Naval blockade of Britain:
Germany targeted supply ships from North American to Britain

3. U-boat threats: longer range, crossed shipping lanes at night

4. U-boats – changed nature of sea war
Initially immune to detection
Forced Allies to get longer-range escorts

5. Convoy system

6. Technology – critical in defeating U-boats
Needed longer-range Allied planes
Sonar detection gear

7. Added pressure on shipping
Arctic convoys sent
aid to USSR
Aid included food,
uniforms, medical
supplies, tanks, aircraft
3000 km trip through
icy waters
to Murmansk and
Archangel

8. Numerous losses in Arctic
Only 40 convoys
Loss of 100 ships and 2800 crew

9. Importance of winning Battle of Atlantic
Prolonged war creates need for EQUIPMENT & WAR MATERIAL
Britain needed a) fuel b) food c) raw materials
from North America
Britain could only last TWO MONTHS if supplies were cut-off
Before the war, British imports = 50 million tonnes
During the war, British imports = 22 million tonnes

10. Allied shipping losses
From u-boats, warships, mines, aircraft
Global Forces, page 129

11. How the Allies won Increase of ocean escort range
and increase in air patrols
to cover the 15 day crossing
Each escort consisted of
one aircraft carrier,
anti-submarine warfare
devices

12. Of 1162 built, 1069 were sunk or surrendered (mostly in the Atlantic)
German U-boat losses
Of 1162 built, 1069 were sunk or surrendered (mostly in the Atlantic)
German submarine command lost 28,000 of 40,000 submariners

13. Allied losses 2789 merchant vessels 36,000 merchant sailors
36,000 naval officers

14. Documentary (a US point of view)
Battle of the Atlantic

15. Why this campaign was important