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- #21
parsifal
Colonel
Hi john
I realize you are summarizing, but i have to say the victory in the Atlantic (and yes, its a victor because allied losses were reduced to manageable proportions whilst german U-Boat losses became prohibitive) was far more complex than that.
At the beginning of the war, there was a chronic shortage of escorts...the so called escort famine. by the beginning of 1942, this was largely solved, yet losses continued to dangerously high. Tactics and t5raining were found to be deficient, and team work in the escort groups was poor. These were addressed throughout 1942-3, to the extent that the level of teamwork had reached extraordinary levels by mid 1943.
Technology in weapons, and detection gear increased the lethality of the escorts markedly. Weapons like Hedgehog, mousetrap, the deep diving heavy DC throwers and charges, improvements SONAR gear and the fitting of HF/DF and radars were all of immense help. By 1945 the allies were beginning to use airborne MAD which had great potential.
The statisitcal mathematics applied to the convoys ensured that convoy sizes were optimized. The breaking of the U-Boat Codes was perhaps the greatest advantage. The introduction of CVEs enmasse, the formation of Hunter Killer Groups, use of VLR patrols all contributed greatly to the allied victories. The Germans also introduced new technologies, to the extent that if the level of advantage derived was merely linked to new technology, the germans probably would have had greater advatage at wars end, than they enjoyed at the beginning. But the allied advantage was only partly affected by new technologies. It was as much about application of those new technologies....the training, tactics and technique, that tipped the balance, as it was about the technology. Similarly, US merchant shipping production was critical to victory, yet, that alone did not win the war. If the U-Boats had proceeded unchecked even US production would not have kept pace with losses. .