When did Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini declare war on the United States?
Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini declared war on the United States on the 11th of December 1941. This declaration allowed German navies to begin their assault immediately.
Questions about Second Happy Time
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many Type IX submarines were available for the opening moves of the Second Happy Time campaign?
Only five long-range submarines were available for the opening moves of the campaign after one encountered mechanical trouble before departure. Each boat carried sealed orders to be opened after passing 20°W longitude.
What was the first victory achieved by the U-boat fleet upon arriving in North American waters?
The Canadian freighter Cyclops was sunk on the 12th of January off Nova Scotia as the first victory upon arriving in North American waters. Robert Fisher noted that twenty-six more ships were sunk in the following nine days.
Which month saw the highest number of Allied tankers lost during the Second Happy Time offensive?
In May, they sank one hundred fifteen ships about half of which steamed independently. Half of that tonnage consisted of tankers during this peak period of losses.
When did the US organize its first coastal convoy system to counter the submarine threat?
The first organized US coastal convoy sailed on the 14th of May 1942 from Hampton Roads for Key West. Convoils eventually extended to Halifax and effectively brought the crisis to an end.