Escort carriers put aircraft with the convoy

Carrier aircraft began their patrols beside the convoy and did not first have to find the ships they were protecting. In David Hobbs's account, one-third of Coastal Command sorties sent to support convoys failed to locate them. Aircraft operating from an escort carrier could receive current instructions from the escort commander, return quickly to refuel and rearm, and spend more of their flying time on patrol. Their contribution extended beyond confirmed U-boat sinkings: sightings guided surface escorts, and the presence of aircraft could prevent submarines from assembling an attack. Safe and timely convoy arrival was the operational objective. British and American experience also identified the vicinity of convoys as the most productive area for destroying U-boats relative to the flying hours expended.