Convoy adoption required political support as well as an operational plan. Admiral Henderson is credited with a paper that helped persuade others to adopt the system. Escorts had to be funded and built for grouped merchant ships to receive protection. Without escorts, a surfaced submarine using a deck gun could follow concentrated shipping and attack repeatedly. The Mediterranean examples illustrate the distinction between an escorted convoy and ships simply travelling together, although the recalled individual commander's identity is uncertain.
Chapter · 2:10:05-2:11:15
Convoys required escorts, funding, and political support
Effective convoy needed escorts and Treasury support, since unescorted groups could merely concentrate targets.