Re:The Myth of the Nazi War Machine
by smacktoward on Thursday November 07, 2019 @11:30PM
(#21479982)
U-boats continued sailing right up till the end of the war, but after suffering huge losses in 1943’s “Black May” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_May_(1943)) they stopped challenging the North Atlantic convoys directly. Merchant tonnage sunk dropped precipitously at that point. After mid-1943 the U-boats were an annoyance to the Allies, not an existential threat.
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Re:The Myth of the Nazi War Machine
by NeedMoreTea on Thursday November 07, 2019 @11:50PM
(#21480039)
The Battle of the Atlantic was sheer war of attrition and tonnage. The Allies were pouring far more in at the top by 43, with the expectation that some would get through. The strength of numbers of the long range Sunderland 5s - that started replacing the III in 44, Beaufighters, and Mossies meant they were far more effective, particularly out in Biscay. German effectiveness declined really only from 44 on - there was a pretty major and effective U boat campaign in late 43 going into the winter. It just wasn't as effective as the previous year.