Tactical changes in the Atlantic

Threats

U boats most threatening in 1942

Highest was 40-70 in Atlantic at one time

wolfpacks of 20-30 attacked convoys

Poor weather in 1943 - U-boats harder to spot

Finding U boats

Sonar - Range of up to 2km, fitted on all escort, limited by poor weather and could only detect beyond a certain distance
HFDF - Intercepted U boat signals, triangulated to locate, widely fitted by 1943
Radar - Could detect surface vessels up to 8000 yards away by 1943

Weapons

Hedgehog - Adopted up in 1942, series of bombs launched and detonated on impact
Squid - 1943, launched 3× 200 lbs bombs up to 250m, directed and ranged by sonar
Depth charges - Rolled or thrown off of ships to explode

Naval Airpower

Some dedicated to escort duties

122 escort carriers produced during the war, carrying 20-30 planes

Catapult Aircraft Merchant ships entered service in 1941

Land airpower

Patrols started in late 1941

VLR’s introduced in 1941

Seaplanes used such as Sunderland and Catalina

Air airpower

Spotting and attacking u-boats
Attacked with depth charges, bombs , cannons
Spotted using RADAR and Leigh Light from 1941