Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 44:51-47:14

Helicopters deny U-boats their convoy approach

Early convoy helicopters would not need to hunt across the Atlantic; forcing surfaced U-boats to dive outside attack position could neutralize them.

Anti-Submarine WarfareBattle of the AtlanticConvoy EscortNaval HelicoptersRocketsU-Boats
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Question

Would a roughly 300-mile helicopter range be enough to hunt submarines around a convoy?

Short answer

Yes; local patrols only need to force a U-boat underwater far enough away that it cannot track, overtake, and attack the convoy.

Notes

A roughly 300-mile range is ample because the helicopter patrols locally around a convoy. It could fly about twenty miles out, make circuits around the convoy, and return. A surfaced U-boat can try to fight, but gunfire attracts the convoy's other helicopters and surface escorts. Diving avoids that surface fight but removes the speed and visibility needed to track, overtake, and position against the convoy. The helicopter can therefore neutralize a submarine without sinking it by forcing it underwater far enough from the merchant ships.