The Second World War Explained by Michael O'Kelly

Author:Michael O'Kelly [O'Kelly, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: history, HISTORY / Military / World War II, World War II, Military
ISBN: 9781526737441
Google: PLTNDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2018-08-30T23:46:39.538915+00:00

Chapter 14

The Battle of the Atlantic 1943: The Decisive Year

Up to now, Britain had just kept its head above water because of the huge United States production of standardised cargo ‘Liberty’ ships. The stage was now set, as 1943 opened, for the final, decisive struggle in the Atlantic. The result would decide whether the United Kingdom was realistically able to provide a base for an Allied invasion of Europe in 1944. It would also decide whether the country could feed its people, fuel its ships, aircraft, and industry, and continue the war at all.

It was a battle of technology, weapons, and intelligence. But ultimately the result depended on the willpower, decisions, courage and endurance of those who fought through the exhausting winter Atlantic storms. These continued at record levels into March.

At their Casablanca conference in January, Churchill and Roosevelt had ordered that ‘the defeat of the U-boat must remain the first charge on the resources of the United Nations.’ Unfortunately, some key Royal Air Force commanders took little notice of this policy. However, Coastal Command was now operating an increasing number of American long-range radar-fitted Liberator aircraft, a highly significant development.

In February and March, 128 merchant ships were lost in convoy battles. Very serious losses, but thirty-four U-boats were also destroyed – about half the total number operating in the Atlantic at any one time.

Churchill wrote: ‘Never could we forget that everything happening elsewhere in the war depended on the outcome of this battle. We viewed its changing fortunes day by day with hope or apprehension.’ In March 1943, as convoy followed convoy, most unharmed but some severely mauled, his apprehension must have been acute. It seemed that Great Britain was now in real danger of losing the war. However, the long-range Liberator aircraft were showing their effectiveness and some escort carriers (small aircraft carriers) could now be deployed in convoy support. More escorts were becoming available and levels of experience and efficiency were high. Some escorts could now be employed in support groups, available to go to the aid of a convoy whose escort needed strengthening.

One group of these was led by Captain ‘Johnnie’ Walker, who had commanded escorts right through the years. A fine leader, he devised some new and successful tactics, and sank many U-boats. The battle burned in him like a flame and he never left his exposed bridge for long. Eventually, exhausted by the strain of years of non-stop high intensity operations, he died. As well as the CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), he had been awarded three DSOs (Distinguished Service Order) and three DSCs (Distinguished Service Cross). He was one of Britain’s war heroes.

The turning point came at the beginning of May when a ferocious battle developed around the forty-two merchant ships of westward slow convoy ONS 5. It was faced with a concentration of about forty U-boats. In the end, twelve ships were sunk, but Admiral Dönitz lost seven of his precious submarines, with five more badly damaged.

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