CONFLICT OVER THE BAY — MOMENTOUS BATTLES FOUGHT BY RAF AND AMERICAN AIRCRAFT AGAINST THE U-BOATS, BAY OF BISCAY MAY - AUGUST 1943
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Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9781902304090 |
| ISBN-10 | 1-902304-09-8 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( round back binding ) |
| Special Features | • Dust jacket |
| Condition | Used - Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Norman Franks |
| Publisher | Grub Street |
| Number of pages | 240 |
| Published date | 1999 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 16 x 24 x 2 cm |
| Categorie(s) | • AVIATION MILITAIRE • SECONDE GUERRE MONDIALE • GUERRES - BATAILLES |
Description
About the book
For the first three years of the war, RAF Coastal Command’s battle against the German U-boats had been long and hard. But with the Battle of the Atlantic reaching a crisis point for the Germans, following developments in anti-submarine radar and in Leigh Light–equipped aircraft, Admiral Dönitz was suddenly forced to change his tactics drastically.
U-boats were most vulnerable when crossing the Bay of Biscay, traveling to and from their French bases. Owing to advances in the detection of U-boats sailing at night across the Bay, Dönitz ordered his captains to sail on the surface in daylight, remain there, and fight if attacked by Allied aircraft. This they did from May until the beginning of August 1943—at first singly, and later in small groups for mutual protection.
Almost immediately, Coastal Command’s crews were presented with a wealth of U-boat sightings, leading to attacks and sinkings. The dangers faced by these crews were immense, as they brought their large aircraft down to within 50 feet of their targets, in the face of tremendous cannon and machine-gun fire, in order to drop their depth charges.
This is the story told in Conflict Over the Bay of the battles that raged between Coastal Command, American aircraft, and U-boats in these waters, as well as of the air engagements between long-range RAF fighters and Ju 88 fighters of KG/40, which flew over the Bay seeking out the anti-submarine aeroplanes. With the help of many former aircrew members involved in these operations, the author has pieced together an enthralling account of courage and tenacity during a brief but momentous period in the anti-submarine war.
Conflict Over the Bay originally appeared in 1986 and has been completely updated and revised for this new edition.