What caused the U.S. slow response to the introduction of U-boat attacks off the Eastern seaboard, Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean Sea in early 1942? The USN had been active in the North Atlantic for months before the American entry into the war conducting the neutrality patrols. Did they not learn anything about anti-submarine warfare? Did they not see the advantages of convoying merchant ships? Did they not learn anything from the experiences of the RN and RCN?
The Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy had been fighting the Battle of the Atlantic for 2 years and 4 months by the time of America's entry into WW2. The need for convoying, adequate patrol aircraft and sufficient escorts vessels should have been well demonstrated by that point. As well as the necessity of coastal black outs.
Was the unpreparedness all due to Admiral Ernest King and his mistrust of the British? Weren't there other officers in the U.S. Navy that would have been advocating for the immediate introduction of precautions against U-boat attack? Especially as the losses mounted?
I've been reading about Operation Drumbeat and it's enough to make you shake your head.
It's seem like gross negligence on the part of certain senior U.S. Navy personnel. With the Battle of the Atlantic ongoing for more then 2 years how did Admiral King and others not see this coming? Did they believe that the U-boats did not have the range to cross the Atlantic?
With what forces the U.S. had available in OTL in January 1942 what steps could the Americans have taken to effectively reduce the heavy losses they suffered in 1942?
The Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy had been fighting the Battle of the Atlantic for 2 years and 4 months by the time of America's entry into WW2. The need for convoying, adequate patrol aircraft and sufficient escorts vessels should have been well demonstrated by that point. As well as the necessity of coastal black outs.
Was the unpreparedness all due to Admiral Ernest King and his mistrust of the British? Weren't there other officers in the U.S. Navy that would have been advocating for the immediate introduction of precautions against U-boat attack? Especially as the losses mounted?
I've been reading about Operation Drumbeat and it's enough to make you shake your head.
It's seem like gross negligence on the part of certain senior U.S. Navy personnel. With the Battle of the Atlantic ongoing for more then 2 years how did Admiral King and others not see this coming? Did they believe that the U-boats did not have the range to cross the Atlantic?
With what forces the U.S. had available in OTL in January 1942 what steps could the Americans have taken to effectively reduce the heavy losses they suffered in 1942?