Warfare in News

Posted on Monday 1st February
In a recent article published in the Belfast Telegraph, Richard Doherty explores the role Northern Ireland played in being part of Hitler's downfall.
“After the fall of France in June 1940 convoys had to be rerouted around the north Irish coast to avoid Nazi submarines operating from the new French Atlantic port bases.” However, Northern Ireland, especially Londonderry as Richard explains, was critical to the success of anti-U-boat operations.
"U-boats, even when surfaced, were small targets and difficult to see. When war broke out there were no suitable airborne radars to detect surfaced boats, especially at night, and so the U-boats enjoyed what they called a "happy time."
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest running campaign of the Second World War, in which by February 11, 1946 many of the German U-boats had been sunk or handed over to allies.
“Hitler's once feared Ubootwaffe was consigned to the depths from which it had preyed on merchant ships during the Battle of Atlantic.
“The Ubootwaffe had surrendered formally to Admiral Sir Max Horton, Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches, as Lisahally on May 14, 1945.”
To read the full article, visit http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/hitler-northern-irelands-part-in-his-downfall-by-helping-to-finally-sink-threat-of-his-deadly-uboats-34402684.html
“After the fall of France in June 1940 convoys had to be rerouted around the north Irish coast to avoid Nazi submarines operating from the new French Atlantic port bases.” However, Northern Ireland, especially Londonderry as Richard explains, was critical to the success of anti-U-boat operations.
"U-boats, even when surfaced, were small targets and difficult to see. When war broke out there were no suitable airborne radars to detect surfaced boats, especially at night, and so the U-boats enjoyed what they called a "happy time."
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest running campaign of the Second World War, in which by February 11, 1946 many of the German U-boats had been sunk or handed over to allies.
“Hitler's once feared Ubootwaffe was consigned to the depths from which it had preyed on merchant ships during the Battle of Atlantic.
“The Ubootwaffe had surrendered formally to Admiral Sir Max Horton, Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches, as Lisahally on May 14, 1945.”
To read the full article, visit http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news-analysis/hitler-northern-irelands-part-in-his-downfall-by-helping-to-finally-sink-threat-of-his-deadly-uboats-34402684.html
Further Reading
Churchill's Greatest Fear
(Hardback - 314 pages)by Richard Doherty
The Battle of the Atlantic (Churchill's term) was arguably the pivotal campaign of the Second World War – it was certainly the longest starting with the sinking of RMS Athenia on 3 September 1939 and ending with the torpedoing of SS Avon Dale on 7 May 1945.
This superbly researched work covers all the major aspects of The Battle, balancing the initial advantages of Admiral Doenitz's U-Boat force, the introduction of the… Read more...
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