The Greatest War, Volume I by Gerald Astor

Author:Gerald Astor [ASTOR, GERALD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HIS027100
ISBN: 9780759526501
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2001-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

11

At Sea and in the Air

HISTORIANS HAVE QUESTIONED THE WISDOM OF GERMANY’S declaration of war against the United States, but American efforts prior to 7 December 1941 had already come close to open combat. Merchant ships ran a devastating gauntlet of German submarines from the moment they left ports in the United States until they docked in Great Britain or at Murmansk, the only port open in the Soviet Union. For a time, the British Navy, coordinating efforts with the Royal Air Force, had staved off the U-boat attacks upon convoys. But after the fall of France, subs operating from French ports relentlessly prowled the western Atlantic exacting a sharp increase in the toll on shipping.

To bolster the British resistance to what Roosevelt and his advisors perceived as an inevitable threat to their country, the United States in September 1940 swapped fifty aged destroyers that dated back to World War I for naval bases on colonial islands in western waters. While Hitler scrapped restrictions for hitting cargo ships, he cautioned against incidents that involved American warships. U-boats refrained from hunts in the waters off the American coasts.

When the United States, in January 1941, accepted the responsibility to protect freighter convoys sailing the North Atlantic, a confrontation with German subs became inevitable. The Roosevelt administration convinced Congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act on 11 March 1941. With a vague promise of repayment for goods provided, the United States now geared up with war materials for Britain. The Germans could hardly ignore the role being played by the officially uncommitted United States. Meanwhile, torpedoes blasted ships of various registries, bearing lend-lease goods. Admiral Harold Stark, chief of naval operations reported in early April 1941, “The situation is obviously critical in the Atlantic. In my opinion, it is hopeless except as we take strong measures to save it.” However, not until June 1941 was the American Navy ready to begin this role, to which had been added responsibilities for guarding the Caribbean.

American escort vessels and U-boats sparred without either side landing a punch until October 1941, when a wolf pack ravaged a convoy 400 miles from Iceland. During the wild melee, the destroyer USS Kearny absorbed a hit but managed to steam into port. About three weeks later, a torpedo smashed into the destroyer Reuben James on picket duty 600 miles from Ireland. The magazine ignited a violent blast that tore the ship in half. As it slid below the surface, several of its depth charges detonated, killing some survivors floating in the sea. Only 45 crewmen of the 160 in the ship’s company were rescued.

Only in November 1941 did Congress agree to lift restrictions on freighters sailing under the American flag and allow them to not only travel in the war zone but to arm themselves and fight when attacked. Following the official state of war against the European Axis partners, the struggle in the Atlantic fully involved the United States. The losses in ships and cargo during the first years staggered the Allies.

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