Log in

View Full Version : U-boat versus Aircraft - an interesting book


Immacolata
09-28-06, 07:05 AM
By sheer accident I spotted a book called U-boat versus Aircraft by Eric Zimmerman and Norman Franks (London 1998).

It lists a lot of airplane versus u-boat conflicts and is quite an interesting read. Seems like guns on airplanes were not often applied. Mostly used by patrolling interceptors near their bases.

Both Wellingtons, Catalins and Fortresses were down by german u-boat flak guns. The battles were risky for both aircraft and submarine. Rarely was the submarine damaged badly, and often the airplanes survived the attack but gave up further runs. But when crew losses happened to the submarines, it apparantly resulted in return to harbor.

Another thing it lists is the Bdus decision to have uboats travel across the biscay in packs for AA cover.

Hybris
09-28-06, 08:20 PM
Very interesting indeed... but either way I'll stick to my flak guns and keep blasting away.:D