Case-Study I — 1941

Abstract

It was in 1941 that many of the most important characteristics of the Battle of the Atlantic first became truly evident and it also marked the first large-scale setbacks for the Germans, at least at the strategic and operational levels. There has been some recognition of the latter although this has also been coupled with some deductions about the causes which bear re-examination. This largely is what this chapter is about, although to do this thoroughly it is necessary to look at all aspects of the U-boat offensive against shipping in 1941 and the Allied response to it.