Germany attempts to destroy Britain's lifelines
The Atlantic ocean was the home to incredibly important shipping lanes between North America and Europe. Germany wanted to limit resupply to Britain, as they were an island state and needed to import supplies overseas to survive. They needed fresh supplies to feed and clothe their troops, and if they were unable to get the supplies, they would start feeling incredible pressure and could possibly face famine. This was also true for the Soviet Union, which became dependant on the Atlantic Shipping lanes. While Germany wanted to destroy lifelines, The Allies simply wanted to retain military control over seas and blockade the Axis powers.
Knowing this, Germany was able to take control of the entire coast of Europe, and attempted to destroy lifelines to Britain. The German U Boat strategy was to get multiple boats to surround an enemy ship and attack it - wolf packs - eventually resulting in chaos and German Victory. At the time Merchant ships were unarmed, making them ideal targets.
Despite their ambitions, Germany failed to produce the amount of U Boats they envisioned (300) resulting in 56 completed U Boats, and 22 that were able to withstand the elements of the Atlantic Ocean (others were only useful for coast patrol)
EXTRA
-First British U-Boat casualty was “Athenia” in September 3rd 1939
-112 people lost
"Battle of the Atlantic." HISTORY. N.p., 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Jan. 2015. <http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/battle-of-the-atlantic>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/battle_atlantic_01.shtml>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff3_battle_atlantic.shtml>.
"Publication." Veterans Affairs Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2015. <http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/battle-atlantic/publication>.
Knowing this, Germany was able to take control of the entire coast of Europe, and attempted to destroy lifelines to Britain. The German U Boat strategy was to get multiple boats to surround an enemy ship and attack it - wolf packs - eventually resulting in chaos and German Victory. At the time Merchant ships were unarmed, making them ideal targets.
Despite their ambitions, Germany failed to produce the amount of U Boats they envisioned (300) resulting in 56 completed U Boats, and 22 that were able to withstand the elements of the Atlantic Ocean (others were only useful for coast patrol)
EXTRA
-First British U-Boat casualty was “Athenia” in September 3rd 1939
-112 people lost
"Battle of the Atlantic." HISTORY. N.p., 01 Apr. 2014. Web. 10 Jan. 2015. <http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/battle-of-the-atlantic>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/battle_atlantic_01.shtml>.
BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2015. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff3_battle_atlantic.shtml>.
"Publication." Veterans Affairs Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2015. <http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/second-world-war/battle-atlantic/publication>.