And It Made History: The Wolf Packs in the North Atlantic DVD

During World War II the Atlantic Ocean was Britain’s lifeline, bringing in most of our food and raw materials, and all of our oil. Britain’s survival depended on it, and victory against the Nazis was in doubt. These cargo ships were the prime targets of the German submarines, which had broken a blockade of the Baltic to enter the Atlantic. The U-boat crews were among the most proficient in the world, and preyed upon merchant shipping, avoiding combat with heavily armed surface craft. Together they sank over twenty million tonnes of allied shipping, with thousands of... casualties. It was in 1918, towards the end of the First World War, that (Admiral) Doenitz had realised the potential of the submarines. Although slow under water, they could move on the surface faster than a convoy of merchant ships. Because of their low profile they were not easily seen at night, whereas their targets were clearly outlined against the horizon. They stalked their intended victims, who ploughed on knowing the danger. After the fall of France they had bases closer to the main shipping routes, and with radio could quickly assemble in coastal waters to form a pack, which picked off the grouped cargo ships. The allies, however, learned to fight back, and 781 U-boats and crews were destroyed. Victory over the Wolf Packs stands as one of the milestones of World War II. “And It Made History” is a brand new series looking at the weaponry, army strategies and modes of transport used in the Second World War. Each episode is packed with a huge amount of historical and technical information, which is both informative and entertaining. This DVD is a must-have collectible for all World War enthusiasts. [show more]

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