Atlantic Escorts

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Winston Churchill noted that the submarine war in the Atlantic was the only campaign of World War II that truly frightened him. If the lifeline to North America had been severed, Britain would not have survived, and crucial events like the buildup of US and Commonwealth forces, D-Day landings, and victory in Western Europe would have been impossible. This battle, which lasted from the war's onset to Germany's final surrender, was the longest and one of the hardest-fought campaigns. The book explores the ships, technology, and tactics used by the Allies, starting with lessons learned from World War I and detailing inter-war technological advancements and training. As the war unfolded, the balance of power shifted between U-boats and escorts, with new weapons and sensors introduced rapidly. For the defending navies, the key challenge was to enhance capabilities while maintaining simplicity and speed in construction. The author examines the designs of sloops, frigates, corvettes, and destroyer escorts, assessing their effectiveness and cost-efficiency in anti-submarine warfare. Drawing from a lifetime of warship design experience, the author's insights in this new softcover edition will intrigue enthusiasts and provide valuable knowledge for naval historians.