battle of the atlantic
Military airplanes guide merchant ships to Britain.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest battle to take place in World War II. It lasted September 1939 to the defeat of Germany in 1945 (History, n.d.). With most of Europe occupied by Germany, Britain relied heavily on Canada to deliver supplies. However, the Canadians had to go through Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare first. Canada employed navy and air forces to try and protect the merchant ships (History n.d.)
During the early years of the war, Germany dominated the battle. Canada did not have a trained or experienced navy. In the month of July alone, 143 Canadian cargo ships were sunk by German U-boats. The U-boats were dubbed the name “wolf packs” (Colyer, Cecillon, Draper & Hoogeveen, 2010).
In the midst of 1942, the battle started shifting in the Allies favour. The Canadians were joined by the U.S and the Canadians were able to upgrade their air cover and military ships. Many merchant ships were able to get past the “wolf pack” and deliver supplies to Britain (History, n.d.).
The battle finally ended on May 7, 1945 when Germany was defeated in the war. Winston Churchill expressed how important this battle was when he said “The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war” (1945). The Canadian Navy lost 2000 men and 1600 mariners died in the Battle of the Atlantic (Colyer, Cecillon, Draper & Hoogeveen, 2010).
During the early years of the war, Germany dominated the battle. Canada did not have a trained or experienced navy. In the month of July alone, 143 Canadian cargo ships were sunk by German U-boats. The U-boats were dubbed the name “wolf packs” (Colyer, Cecillon, Draper & Hoogeveen, 2010).
In the midst of 1942, the battle started shifting in the Allies favour. The Canadians were joined by the U.S and the Canadians were able to upgrade their air cover and military ships. Many merchant ships were able to get past the “wolf pack” and deliver supplies to Britain (History, n.d.).
The battle finally ended on May 7, 1945 when Germany was defeated in the war. Winston Churchill expressed how important this battle was when he said “The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war” (1945). The Canadian Navy lost 2000 men and 1600 mariners died in the Battle of the Atlantic (Colyer, Cecillon, Draper & Hoogeveen, 2010).
Images from:
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/defeat/battle-atlantic.htm
http://gamingsnack.com/silent-hunter-5-battle-of-the-atlantic-pc/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Atlantic_Ocean_laea_relief_location_map.jpg
http://financeportal.hubpages.com/hub/U-110-and-the-Enigma
http://tignisharea.com/?p=11883
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/defeat/battle-atlantic.htm
http://gamingsnack.com/silent-hunter-5-battle-of-the-atlantic-pc/
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Atlantic_Ocean_laea_relief_location_map.jpg
http://financeportal.hubpages.com/hub/U-110-and-the-Enigma
http://tignisharea.com/?p=11883