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The Battle of the Atlantic Overview

Apr 29, 2025

Battle of the Atlantic

U-Boat Wolf Packs

  • Early WWII, U-boats were successful, led by Admiral Dnitz.
  • Developed deadly wolf pack strategy.
    • Submarines spread across convoy routes.
    • Upon spotting, wolf pack converges for attack.
    • First used on 18 October 1940 against convoy SC-7.
    • Resulted in sinking 20 merchant ships and 140 sailor deaths.
  • Lt. Cmdr. Desmond Piers recounted attacks by U-boats, losing a third of his convoy.

"Black Pit"

  • Mid-Atlantic area, beyond Allied aircraft range, known as "Black Pit."
  • German success led U-boats to Canadian and US coasts.
  • 1942: U-boats entered Gulf of St. Lawrence, sinking 21 ships.
  • 1942: U-boats sank nearly 100 merchant ships per month.

Tide Turns (1943)

  • British intelligence cracked Enigma code, tracking U-boats.
  • Long-range aircraft for full Atlantic coverage.
  • Royal Navy's aggressive anti-submarine tactics.
    • Created elite hunter groups.
  • Canada expanded escort duties.
    • New, faster frigates led to sinking 8 U-boats (Nov 1943 - Spring 1944).

Northwest Command

  • Northwest Atlantic under Canadian control.
  • Rear Admiral Leonard Murray led as commander-in-chief.
  • U-boats equipped with new tech by 1944.
    • New acoustic torpedoes.
    • HMCS St. Croix sunk by U-305.
  • Canadian navy losses continued till war end.

Merchant Navy

  • Merchant navy critical in supply efforts.
  • Canada built over 400 merchant vessels.
  • 12,000 sailors served; high casualty rate.
  • 1992: Merchant navy veterans recognized.
  • 2003: September 3rd proclaimed Merchant Navy Veterans Day.

Significance

  • Crucial to Allied victory in WWII.
  • RCN grew to fourth-largest navy.
  • Shipbuilding industry delivered ships rapidly.
    • 487 warships, 400 cargo vessels, 3,000 landing crafts built.

Casualties and Remembrance

  • Heavy losses: 36,000 Allied and merchant seamen lost.
  • Canadian losses: 2,000 RCN, 1,600 merchants, 752 airmen.
  • Commemorated at Sailors Memorial in Halifax.
  • Annual ceremonies on the first Sunday in May.

Notable Ship

  • HMCS Halifax, a corvette, built in 1942 to counteract U-boats.