What was the Mid-Atlantic gap during World War II?
The Mid-Atlantic gap was an area outside airplane range in World War II where land-based aircraft could not reach. U-boats operated freely here, hunting Allied convoys without fear of aerial attack.
Questions about Mid-Atlantic gap
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Coastal Command receive VLR Liberators to close the Mid-Atlantic gap?
Coastal Command received Consolidated Aircraft Liberator GR.I planes known as VLR Liberators starting in 1942. The Mid-Atlantic gap was finally closed by May 1943 when RCAF VLRs became operational in Newfoundland.
Why were early RAF Coastal Command aircraft ineffective against submarines?
Early RAF Coastal Command aircraft like the Avro Anson and Vickers Vildebeest were obsolete by the start of the Second World War. Severe shortages meant that scarecrow patrols using Tiger Moths lacked any real capability against modern submarines.
How did the Leigh light improve anti-submarine warfare capabilities?
The Leigh light entered service in June 1941 to solve detection problems for surfaced submarines at night. Combined with H2S three gigahertz-frequency radar, this system proved lethal to U-boats starting in late 1942.
Who prioritized Bomber Command over Coastal Command during the war?
Winston Churchill backed Arthur Harris who sought to have VLRs diverted from Coastal Command to attack German cities instead. Marshal John Slessor countered that Bomber Command risked losing technology to enemy hands just as quickly.