Battle of the Atlantic:

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IN May 2013 the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic (BOA 70) was commemorated with a series of events centred around the cities of Liverpool, London and Derry-Londonderry.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign in World War 2, at its height from mid-1940 through to the end of 1943. The BOA demonstrated the enduring importance of control of the sea to provide a highway for the transport of raw materials, munitions, and men, to maintain the nation’s security and to project power across the globe. The Battle of the Atlantic was pivotal to the success of the allied side in World War 2.

After the fall of Europe, the main supply route for the continued prosecution of the war was between north America and the UK across the North Atlantic. Ultimately it was the successful protection of this vital sea corridor by British and allied ships from the German surface and U-boat threat that led to success in North Africa, at D-Day and ultimately resulted in the fall of Germany.

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Outbreak of War:

September 1939 - May 1940

The Battle of the Atlantic raged across the years of World War 2; the North Atlantic was an essential route for trade vessels and warships to support the Allies.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic

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The U-Boat Menace:

June 1940 - March 1941

The Campaign for the North West approaches; the U-Boats exploit their new Atlantic bases with heavy attacks against Allied shipping.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1940-41?#map

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The War Widens:
April 1941 - December 1941

The First Atlantic Campaign. U-Boats move into the Mediterranean, Arctic and deep into the Atlantic, menacing shipping.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1941?#map

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Battle rages at USA Door
January 1942 - July 1942

Campaign in American Waters. America enters the war, harried by U-Boats on the eastern seaboard of North America and in the Caribbean.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1942?#map

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The Fight Back:

August 1942 - April 1943

The Second Atlantic Campaign. The focus shifts back to the North Atlantic as U-Boats in large packs attack ships on the convoy routes - but face increasing losses to Allied forces.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1942-43?#map

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Black May:

May 1943

The Battle of the Atlantic reaches its climax with the undeniable defeat of the U-Boat.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1943?#map

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U-Boat Menace Checked:

June 1943 - May 1944

After licking their wounds, the U-Boats make a renewed effort to strike at the Allies, but fail wretchedly, defeated by ever more forceful Allied countermeasures.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1943-44?#map

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Invasion of Europe:

June 1944 - May 1945

Britain and her Allies invade Normandy, brushing aside the U-Boat threat, and keep German submarines under the yoke until the War's end.

LINK: www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Special-Events/Battle-Of-The-Atlantic/1944-45?#map