Warfare: The changes in the Atlantic

Threats

U boats most threatening in 1942

Highest was 40-70 in Atlantic at one time

wolfpacks on 20-30 attacked convoys

Finding U boats

Sonar - Range of up to 2km, fitted on all escort
HFDF - Intercepted U boat signals, triangulated to locate, widely fitted by 1943
Radar - 271m set up to detect surface vessels up to 8000 yards away

Weapons

Hedgehog - Set up in 1942, series of bombs launched and detonated on impact
Squid - 1943, launched 3 bombs up to 250m, directed and ranged by sonar
Depth charges - Rolled off of ships to explode

Naval Airpower

Some dedictated to escort duties

122 produced during the war, carrying 20-30 planes

Used Leigh Lights to spot U boats

Land airpower

Patrols started in late 1941

VLR’s introduced in 1941

Seaplanes used such as Sunderland and Catalina