The Battle of the Atlantic

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II.

Battle of the Atlantic

A prolonged naval conflict during World War II, lasting from September 1939 to May 1945, where the Allies sought to protect Atlantic shipping from German U-Boat attacks.

Allied Convoy System

A strategy where merchant ships are grouped together and escorted by naval vessels to safeguard against enemy attacks, primarily from U-Boats.

U-Boat

German submarines used during World War II, particularly known for their role in disrupting Allied shipping.

Wolf Pack

A naval warfare tactic employed by the Germans where multiple U-Boats coordinate attacks on a convoy.

ASDIC

A British sonar system used to detect submarines underwater, significant in anti-submarine warfare during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Enigma

A cipher machine used by the Germans for encrypting communications; its code was broken by British intelligence by 1942.

Convoy SC-42

A specific convoy of 62 merchant ships that was attacked by U-Boats in September 1941, illustrating the ongoing threats faced by Allied shipping.

Total War

A strategy that emphasizes the mobilization of all of a nation's resources towards the war effort, impacting civilian and military sectors alike.

Intelligence and the Battle of the Atlantic

The use of intercepted communications and intelligence to direct naval resources and enhance strategic planning against German U-Boats.

Hedgehog

An early type of anti-submarine weapon used by Allied forces, designed to launch multiple projectiles ahead of a ship to target submerged submarines.