The war at sea, and its effect on the outcome of the whole war Flashcards
Atlantic theatre
1)British trade routes vital for their survival.70% of their food came from abroad
2)Not a war of battleships- nothing like the battle of jutland. A war of Uboats. Hitler was particularly interested in the production of large battleships, as opposed to the Uboats Admiral Karl Dönitz believed would give the germans an advantage. 300 uboats he believed would break britain- germany had only 50
German uboat fleet-small in 1939- grew larger, but too late.
1941- uboats sink- 1299 ships.
1942- uboats sink- 1662 ships
8 million tons worth of supplies.
How were uboats combated-
1)Cracking the enigma code, changing the royal navy’s own code
2) High frequency direction finder- tracked submarines with radios
3)Aircraft! Long range liberator aircraft with radar, searchlights. Small aircraft carrier escorts. EFFECTIVE!- In 1943- 149/237 german vessels sunk were from aircraft.
Richard overy- undergo a change in maritime strategy.
Post 1943- more ships were being produced than sunk.
“The Battle of the Atlantic was won by the Allies through a combination of technological innovation, strategic planning, and sheer determination and bravery on the part of the men and women who fought it.” Johnathan dimbleby
Pacific theatre
In 1943-44 the Japanese produced 7 aircraft carriers. The US produced 90.
Radar, Japanese codes
