CONFLICT OVER THE BAY
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Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9780718306021 |
| ISBN-10 | 0-7183-0602-3 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( round back binding ) |
| Special Features | • Dust jacket |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Norman Franks |
| Publisher | William Kimber & Co Limited |
| Number of pages | 284 |
| Published date | 1986 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 16 x 24 x 2 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE |
Description
For the first three years of the war, RAF Coastal Command’s battle against the German U-boats had been long and arduous. However, with the Battle of the Atlantic reaching a critical point and with the development of anti-submarine radar as well as aircraft equipped with the Leigh Light, Admiral Karl Dönitz was suddenly forced to change his tactics drastically.
The U-boats were most vulnerable when crossing the Bay of Biscay, travelling to and from their French bases. Wherever their war patrols were carried out, they always had to cross this stretch of sea between the Brest Peninsula and the northern coast of Spain. Because of the advances made in detecting U-boats sailing at night across the Bay, Dönitz ordered his captains to sail on the surface during daylight and to remain there and fight if attacked by Allied aircraft.
This strategy was followed from May until the beginning of August 1943 — at first individually and later in small groups for mutual protection. Almost immediately, crews of RAF Coastal Command were presented with a wealth of U-boat sightings, leading to numerous attacks and sinkings. The dangers faced by these crews were immense, as they had to bring their large aircraft down to within fifty feet of their target, in the face of intense cannon and machine-gun fire, in order to drop their depth charges.
This is the story of the battles that raged between RAF Coastal Command and the U-boats in these waters between May and August 1943. It is also the story of the air battles fought by RAF and American aircraft, as well as long-range RAF fighters, against the Junkers Ju 88 fighters of Kampfgeschwader 40, which flew over the Bay searching for anti-submarine aircraft.
With the help of many former aircrew members who took part in these operations, the author has pieced together a compelling account of courage and determination during a brief but crucial period of the anti-submarine war.