Severe losses did not, in this interpretation, amount to Britain completely losing the Atlantic supply battle: more cargo continued to get through than was sunk. Critical supplies nevertheless arrived late, and a worsening trend could have become strategically disastrous. Signals and traffic analysis contributed to the response alongside expanding numbers of corvettes, sloops and frigates. Germany faced a mismatch between submarine numbers and experienced personnel. Its strongest peacetime crews were available when it had relatively few boats, while expansion came after many experienced crews had been lost or broken up. Wolf-pack tactics still required skilled submariners.
Notable Point · 1:08:50-1:11:54
Atlantic shipping losses, escort growth and U-boat crews
Severe shipping losses threatened Britain's supply, while convoy throughput, growing escort forces and German training limitations qualify claims of impending defeat.