Specialist anti-submarine sloops and Black Swans were valuable, but they formed only a small part of the escort arm. Hunt-class destroyers also belonged toward the more capable end of the escort spectrum. Flower- and Castle-class corvettes, converted older destroyers, and other serviceable ships filled out the force that could actually stay with convoys. The point is wider: war is sustained by equipment available in useful numbers, not only by the fleet planners would ideally prefer.
Notable Point · 5:17-6:54
Logistics shapes the escort force
The Atlantic campaign shows why many adequate escorts could matter more than a small specialist force.