A Brief History
On July 19, 1942, the era of good hunting by German U-boats known as the “Second Happy Time” ended, as American and British anti-submarine measures became effective, forcing the German subs away from American coasts and into the Central Atlantic.
Digging Deeper
The Battle of the Atlantic, a war of German submarines against ships carrying vital cargo to Britain, was perhaps the most critical of the campaigns to determine which side would win World War II. Italian ships and aircraft were also involved, as were German surface vessels and aircraft, though the sub war was paramount.
The “First Happy Time” in 1940 and 1941 saw American neutrality leave convoys headed for Britain with minimal escorts. When the US entered the war in December of 1941, a new “Happy Time” began as Americans were unprepared to defend against U-boat attacks. Convoy systems, new escort vessels, sonar, and long-range bombers to protect convoys eventually limited U-boat success.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Would you rather be the sub or the sub hunter?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Milner, Marc. Battle of the Atlantic. The History Press, 2011..
Paterson, Lawrence. U-Boat War, The: A Global History 1939–45. Osprey Publishing, 2022.
