Battle of the Atlantic

Atlantic Warfare

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  A U-boat shells a merchant ship which remained afloat after being torpedoed. Unknown date

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  Officers on the bridge of a destroyer, escorting a large convoy of ships keep a sharp look out for attacking enemy submarines during the Battle of the Atlantic. October 1941

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  HMS Barham explodes as her 15 inch magazine ignites. 25 November 1941

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  Convoy WS-12: Vought SB2U scout bomber from USS Ranger (CV-4) flies anti-submarine patrol over the convoy, while it was en route to Capetown, South Africa, 27 November 1941

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  United Nations Casablanca convoy moves eastward across Atlantic bound for Africa., ca. 11/1942

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  Allied tanker torpedoed in Atlantic Ocean by German submarine. Ship crumbling amidship under heat of fire, settles toward bottom of ocean., 1942

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  Commander Cross, Staff Officer Convoys, (left) discussing a special convoy movement map with Captain Lake, RN, Duty Officer in the Operations Room at Derby House, Liverpool. This is one of the scenes for an Anglo-American official film covering the battle of the Atlantic right up to D-Day. 26-27 September 1944

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  German yells for help after his submarine is sunk in the Atlantic by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. The sub was just about to attack an Allied convoy", ca. 1945

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  Silhouette created by a tanker moving in front of a city which is not under a wartime blackout order. Mistakes like this made it easier for Nazi Uboat commanders to spot and sink shipping off the US East Coast during Operation Drumbeat

Anti-Submarine Weapons

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  Anti-Submarine Weapons: The Fairlie Mortar, better known as the "Five Wide Virgins" installed on the forecastle of HMS Whitehall. The weapon was not a success and was withdrawn from service. - 27 July 1941

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  Anti-Submarine Weapons: A Mk VII depth charge being loaded onto a Mk IV depth charge thrower on board HMS Dianthus. 14 August 1942

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  Anti-Submarine Weapons: Leigh Light used for spotting U-boats on the surface at night fitted to a Liberator aircraft of Royal Air Force Coastal Command. 26 February 1944

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  Anti-Submarine Weapons: Hedgehog, a 24 barrelled anti-submarine mortar mounted on the forecastle of HMS Westcott. 28 November 1945

German Submarines

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  U-52, a Type VIIB submarine.

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  U-570, a Type VIIC submarine that was captured by the British in 1941. The type VIIC was the backbone of German submarine fleet. - 1943

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  U-505 preserved at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL, USA

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  German Submarine under attack, 1943.

British Submarines

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  HMSM Thunderbolt stationary in harbour after a patrol. Crew members on deck - 1940

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  Forward view from the conning tower of HMS Tribune running on the surface in Scottish waters. - September 1942

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  HMSM Oberon underway off Spithead. - 21 January 1943

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  The gun's crew going into action with the 3 inch gun while the Commanding Officer watches from the conning tower of HMSM Sunfish whilst she was at Portsmouth. - 4 November 1943

Maps

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  Map of the battle of the Atlantic, mid-march to december 1941.

Memorials

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  London, Ontario, Canada

See also

• Bletchley Park
• Enigma machine
• Torpedo