world war formation royal_air_force raf founded act raf maritime arm fleet air arm royal_navy naval aviation neglected inter war period consequence service receive resources needed develop properly efficiently continued outbreak second world war came prominence owing concentration referred phrase lord admiralty time alexander primary task protect convoys german kriegsmarine boat force protected allied shipping aerial threat posed luftwaffe main operations defensive defending supplies lines theatres war notably mediterranean middle_east african theatres battle atlantic served offensive capacity mediterranean theatre baltic sea carried attacks german shipping moving war materials italy north_africa scandinavia germany finally received recognition needed operations proved decisive victory boats service saw action day hostilities day second world war flew million flying hours operations destroyed boats casualties amounted aircraft causes personnel killed action sank german transport vessels damaged total sunk tons tons damaged total persons rescued command including allied crews enemy personnel non equipment aircraft outbreak war forces including short squadrons london half force insufficient range undertake deep ocean reconnaissance left flying boat squadrons machines left squadrons suitable aircraft operate effectively engines limited supply hudson limited later delivered rate month fill gap production capacity dispatched missions united_states buy hudson supply available aircraft poor director organisation recognised future problem aircraft operational nature hour operations basic requirement suitable aircraft landing particular flying boats weather vital safety crews effectiveness command new twin engine touted ideal aircraft came service april found unsuitable need long range machines cover south western approaches december august following reinforcements sent squadron raaf received squadron raf squadron raf squadron raf squadron raf equipped february june squadron raf squadron loan august squadron raf loan based iceland june squadrons handed achieved loan seven squadrons commands despite express agreement admiralty daily operational strength amounted aircraft unsuitable maritime operations month risen squadrons aircraft different types causing training conversion problems december situation improving american command strike aircraft consisted fighter versions total aircraft squadrons june figure increased aircraft satisfied believed command short land based flying boat squadrons refuted terms suitable aircraft comparatively appointment situation declined harris days group captain strategic planning division attacked use resources maritime aviation suggesting bombing enemy shipyards port facilities solve threat trade defence november available shared services vulnerable operate near enemy coastlines heavy fighter escort squadrons sent middle_east operate balkans north_africa highly successful sought priority given air commands february aircraft respect quality impressed continually wrote complaining reconnaissance machines raf tactical air forces supporting army merchant shipping suffering high losses atlantic successor written records indicate desire upgrade produce new aircraft tenure january squadrons squadrons equipped light hudson squadrons available technological developments long range aircraft helped defeat boats official requirements fall france function aircraft cover english channel north_sea western approaches fall western_europe norway resulted vast hostile coastline entry italy war extended threat mediterranean covering british western ports required flying boat squadrons total long range aircraft needed unsuitable hudson expected act interim solutions particular limited range possess capacity carry heavy weaponry needed sink submarine autumn boats began operating atlantic requirement programme flying boat units equip long range squadrons medium long range units torpedo bomber squadrons long range fighter squadrons flying boats short range squadrons sent west_africa flying boat squadrons gibraltar december operational requirements necessitated aircraft extra long range miles boats operating miles british isles patrols deployed miles covering port approaches enemy mile area range air surface vessel radar developed aircraft developed weather short capabilities priority went anti submarine warfare units time anti submarine warfare denoted denoted january decided limit long range aircraft endurance crew limits extreme fatigue seriously efficiency fuel supply aircraft decided january sorties exceed hours reduced flying hours mission despite entry long range june stated range miles crew endurance methods meant airborne wrote reconnaissance work bomb load solitary squadron accepted time assist closing mid atlantic gap boats operate worrying air replacing issued directive june use interim solution submarine warfare practised germans operational cost meant immediate replacement medium range machines pressing difficulty lancaster denied large scale long term replacement chief air staff portal argued aircraft capable carrying bomb berlin spared result raf official history include lancaster aircraft range miles given service considered unfit heavy bomber issued directive january stating fortresses given operations squadron raf squadron raf squadron raf fortress successful reconnaissance aircraft bulk force early medium range aircraft reach miles atlantic boats operating miles plus pushed case hard portal resources needed spring portal accepted production disappointing met existing squadrons portal admitted complete lack interest concerned portal insisted emphasis command case february expected rate new aircraft command expected rate week final complete batch offset squadrons overseas squadrons situation continued way march suitable aircraft operational service time january knew fifth aircraft operational situation slowly improved year despite mounting convoy losses resistance time succeeded identified squadrons total aircraft squadrons operating machines felt vulnerable boat long range available sufficient numbers june war cabinet told obvious losses boats unacceptable march finally given sufficient resources needed september aspects clear plan existed armament aircraft operational control given admiralty faith services proved ill founded ruled submarine threat caused surface attacks addition weapons developed properly inter war period munitions left world war wish fact order given dispose primary weapon boats future conflict anti submarine bomb developed following admiralty request trials undertaken weapon introduced ready testing single test carried submarines determine bomb behaviour water preferred bombs unacceptable admiralty issues salt water possible trial order placed bomb proved useless aircraft available carry scored direct hits little damage depth charges depth charges promising flying boats able carry service dropped low altitude advantage considering suitable bomb sight available august captain suggested standard armament aircraft admiralty accepted captain suggested september convoy escorting aircraft armed modified use nose tail safe usage case aircraft ditch explode pistol meant explode later found deep weapons depth bomb exploded contact likely standard september dangerous use aircraft confirm accurate heights night instead weapon cleared use january tests revealed tail fin improved accuracy charge dropped height fins impact dropped height according claims lethal operational records lethal radius depth setting problems solved june proved formidable weapon pistols setting available filled weapons circulation january depth charges improved settings mean depth achieved operational research improved weaponry interviewing crews responsible implementing type pistol offered depth settings shallow ward developed total release tactic dropping entire load ensure maximum chance kill march advised anti submarine committee satisfactory efficient release large stick required lethal stick times bombing error range cleared heights speeds mph hoped filled dropped mph director came dropped army navy received priority june new type service developments continued technology august december found released height speed greater came late effect operations remained standard type mark filling dropped sticks point blank altitude target proved decisive despite solid head rockets cannon opinion compared depth charge machine guns cannon march british machine guns delivered coastal aircraft units machine guns standard weapon fired rate rounds minute vickers pan fed jam belt fed trouble free gun armament reviewed weight curtailed range october forward firing guns ammunition second burst weighed single machine guns considered dropped guns increased weight enemy submarines aircraft typically fired cannon ranged machine guns range royal_australian_air_force raaf units guns increased number seven ward air attack suppress boat experiments cannons took place cannons defence rear aircraft successful hudson cannons tested likely prototypes operational research documents explain weight ammunition loads fact weapon fired rounds components worn contributed abandonment use instead cannons given anti shipping wings proved successful fitted pounder class cannon modification pounder anti tank gun proved hugely successful maritime strike aircraft torpedoes torpedo capability considered paramount lack suitable aircraft shortage weapon resulted strike arm severely handicapped late december torpedo resources given receive percent torpedoes torpedoes sensitive highly costly production terms weather conditions enemy coasts use complicated depth water considered shallow use weapon low shipping main target aside torpedo bomber posted overseas august onwards june report stated maritime strike sorties carry bombs torpedoes main weapon believed effective particularly new available similar conclusion bomb properly need intensive training lack aircraft priority given navy production limitations low level bomb sights factors influenced policy torpedo usage july august september trials undertaken mark torpedoes british inch torpedo series suggested speed flight reduced mph feet reliable correct altitude dangerous work easy target enemy mark acoustic torpedo dropping loads success weapon soon introduction sinking june days later sunk publicity lacking pilot unable weapons eyes secrecy surrounding rockets rocket projectiles developed second world war case maritime strike weapons aircraft use different types head high explosive armour piercing head steel known rocket spear groups rockets arranged wing racks trials began november ended february respect firing range boats considered fired pairs recorded success squadron sinking june rockets tended follow line flight aircraft line sight tests indicated percent hit rate hit lethal boat effective boats later favoured following production depth bomb mark iii angular velocity low level developed eighth meeting chaired december examined reports results device squadron raf given task testing sight operating period results gathered wing commander bomber leader presented following report committee thirty bombs dropped cole stationary target later target towed knots mph total bombs average range error yards considered low level sight chief advantages demonstrated operational conditions sight considered great advancement previous method low level bombing eye best figures squadron trials range error release error approaching releasing aircraft nose slightly academics stated error range existed maintained promising crews trust device case asked use equipment little experience instead continued relying trusted continued lack resources meant widespread use sights later months changed tactics new weapons decided long zero target device pilots crew opted use judgement direct sighting considerable success sensors mad detect submerged boats consisted sensitive installed cone aircraft detect earth magnetic field range feet sensitive detect submarine feet conjunction retro bomb filled weapon rocket propelled backwards line flight speed aircraft forward motion released rails wings aircraft aircraft forward motion cancelled rocket motor device fell directly target possessed advantages use pre setting depth required enemy unaware attack hits july boats aware aircraft innovation thought air equivalent navy boat reported july dropped north transit area thought enemy devices preventing boats travelling surface fact detecting submerged boats squadron raf operating operational records coded high tea crews unaware existence devices stayed use wartime crews saw time raf kept secret air surface vessel german receivers detect variable installed interim solution reduce strength signal gave boats impression aircraft moving away radical change radar equipment mark iii available based transmitted shorter instead mark detected receivers instead fixed return signals gave visual trace degrees known plan position indicator cover forward arc unlike mark iii indicate surface vessels dot screen coast given shape outline targets remained visible screen quarter mile suffered sea return targets short range training early years 1920s 1930s fully trained crews pilots crew members volunteers skilled ground trades underwent short courses gunnery bomb aiming pilots responsible navigation accurate navigation essential second pilot carried early formed raf training pilots destined coastal bomber commands conversion training flying boats given start war functioning officially provide training units pressure offered little conversion programme pilots crews hoping man land based aircraft asked support coastal forces time war requests meet outstanding requirements largely ignored single established train crews month figure outbreak war proved inadequate squadrons according prepared deliver output crews month torpedo fighter squadrons general reconnaissance units point revise policy manner indicated appreciate problems command received months working breathing space declaration war german invasion western_europe furthermore given permission merge new squadrons receiving better treatment torpedo training difficult shallow water needed recover training torpedoes usually sank feet making run selected quickly ruled useful site later time location near portsmouth considered near english channel result south west scotland selected instead giving site torpedo training units formed january training regard enabled command cope increasing demands trained lack suitable place improvements difficult implement airfields required number features available locations main requirement quiet area flights interfere stations operational prevent losses enemy air attacks necessary far away enemy possible sensitive convoy routes near scapa_flow inappropriate places launch late severe shortages pilots wireless operators gunners pilots personnel required short term course reduced crews operational commands faster took longer month compared weeks considered necessary reduced number fit pilots quality pilots overall number unfit pilots recorded cope shortening training stocked general training programme possess administration pupils graduating minimum requirement compensated removal gunnery bombing training reduction night formation flying received entry requirements crews relaxed programmes found recruits way manpower supplemented commonwealth canada providing personnel sought end operational strength increased seven squadrons problems experienced crews malta undertake german italian shipping mediterranean hudson squadrons january crews percent far operational hours considered pilot experienced efficiency fell squadrons mixing experienced crews inexperienced damaged morale accident rates increased mid late war late training sufficient quality number crews increased example group raf produced trained crews august aircraft available year crews totalling men trained different types aircraft hours combination changed requirements formation specialist advanced training overseas reduced need expansion figures proved highest annual trained crews wartime sufficient manpower available closed july increased course hours increased weeks hours training soon set stages conversion training taking weeks day night flying training operational phase hours sorties flown weeks phase included flights radar gunnery training specialised training conducted schools anti submarine training provided combined anti submarine training centre beginning air sea rescue schools set equipped conversion units detailed provide conversion training crews fly training remained needed owing manpower requirements line october widely accepted crews training new types aircraft practice policy conversion course afforded crew increasing training hours helped respects standard practice visit help pace changes operational difficulties reporting schools best establishment serve needs squadrons training introducing revolutionary tactical doctrine crews gradually experienced increased effectiveness way specialist training provided required survival rates remained mediocre owing nature long range operations water greater innovations radar better designed aircraft potent weaponry crews built experiences service effective naval air service western_europe february squadron raf sent mission hunt german tanker responsible incident tanker british prisoners war board squadron raf aircraft spotted ship entering neutral norway dispatched recovered men april germans launched poor visibility enabled german invasion fleet evade detection late reconnaissance aircraft sighted reported movements april believed exercise operations sighted day squadron ordered carry extensive reconnaissance operations north_sea command reconnaissance operations located german cruiser bergen squadrons sank vessel april resulted loss air support cruiser came intense attack badly damaged beached recovered scapa_flow april squadron damaged ton german ship anti shipping missions bombing attacks enemy occupied airfields carried squadrons success aircraft lost june sank hms glorious escorting destroyers squadron hudson aircraft attempted counter strike repeatedly attacked hit twice unnamed supply ship submarine hms clyde damaged course attacks lost mission squadron unidentified british type lost enemy aircraft netherlands belgium france begun scouting german shipping near dutch coast spring squadrons working fighters time preparation short lived german assault western_europe changed tempo events squadron raf cover landing small british_army units near shortly capture squadron raf dropped bombs airport squadron conducted armed reconnaissance dutch coast permission received squadrons bombed oil storage tanks hamburg bremen similar attacks caused extensive fires day squadron daylight anti shipping attack boats harbour squadron conducted kind strikes aircraft flew bombing missions enemy ports covered evacuation effort pilot officer gunner squadron possibly shot air air victories war trying intercept squadron shot june managed shoot air air combat rare squadrons engaged mining operations denmark netherlands belgium end evacuation june group raf flown sorties direct indirect support army navy occupation continental europe scandinavian north_sea coastline meant tracking boats enemy warships making atlantic difficult thin resource pool available assets needed reconnaissance air support operating atlantic approaches anti invasion patrol shipping mainland europe likely hostile presented plenty targets group raf continued offensive operations north german shipping near norway success german freighter near june squadron crew priority anti invasion operations underway command ordered disrupt german preparations respect operation squadrons handed july tasks squadron supplemented squadron attacking shipping norwegian coast result suggested german amphibious assault group squadron fitted extra armour plating defensive guns free mounted installed lower fuselage offer protection evidence exists indicate success crews appreciated extra security impressed innovation built specialised mount began operations squadron raf squadron raf operating conversions switched operated aircraft received october bitter disappointment crews fast torpedoes available new tactics developed aircraft restricted laying bombing missions soon grounded reasons squadron carried trials began operations august september torpedo attack succeeded hitting ton freighter september squadron sank ton freighter harbour boat destroyed oil tanks set burned days cost single notable actions included strikes convoys squadron raf october attacked heavily defended convoys ton german transport sunk enemy fighter destroyed squadron lost percent aircraft embarked mission took attacks luftwaffe airfields france nos squadrons attacks norwegian rail targets late year anti barge operations carried ships transport german_army units britain september carried large raid channel ports sinking large barges port barges sunk raid september september barges sunk battle atlantic state outbreak war late work largely ignored opening months trade defence war september early main points arose respect firstly germans incapable maintaining sustained anti shipping campaign owing small number second fear air attacks shipping place discarded despite points losses allied shipping boat attack importance increase royal_navy belief equipped surface fleet effectively sweep seas clear boats proved owing limitations vulnerability surface vessels aircraft proven best able locate boats flawed anti submarine bombs meant inflict severe damage enemy submarines losses north_atlantic tons september june worse france low countries fell june boats operate french atlantic ports reducing need dangerous journey ports norway germany scotland increasing operational range ocean miles luftwaffe small valuable fleet operate area june onwards began earnest british proclaimed battle atlantic open march attempts disrupt british trade routes begun start war slipped atlantic august caused significant damage south atlantic eliminated threat harbour aftermath operations mounted admiral admiral hipper british waters success tasked german surface fleets contributed effective engagements fought german commerce raiders october spotted north_sea incapable inflicting damage ships arrived locate vessels trained locate enemy vessels sea attack moving targets failed detect breakout german warships succeeded sinking merchant ships sailing independently return port april located reconnaissance squadron cornwall launched strike piloted flying officer succeeded making torpedo run anti aircraft guns ships guns campbell crew shot killed torpedo struck ship stern waterline putting action months campbell awarded victoria_cross members crew long kriegsmarine launched heavy cruiser set atlantic norway target later stage operation squadron raf spotted vessel miles short destination port brest france relayed message enabling aircraft intercept naval air squadron aircraft piloted sub lieutenant hit torpedo stern rudder gears eventually led sinking detached prior battle despite discovery aircraft south escaped brest june attempt kriegsmarine surface ship breakout atlantic notable failures prevent german operation carried escaped base brest france sailed germany succeeded suffering major damage complete half trained squadron covering area norway aircraft intercept operations raf royal_navy failed heavy losses aircraft versus assigned mission defending convoys aerial assault lacked proper training tactics suitable aircraft pose threat luftwaffe operations beginning luftwaffe neglected naval aviation suitable weapon use battle atlantic began attacks july airfields occupied france time armstrong short slow lightly armed intercept short range firepower endurance slow catch aircraft sent cover convoys approached britain result air air combat rare recorded actions took place results raf aircraft destroyed hudson destroyed damaged august february sank vessels claimed total grt entry meant aircraft capable dealing armed cannons nose mph faster proved potent april shot damaged shot despite making effort stay away escorted convoys impossible numbers raf aircraft rose december making operations versus boats operations complicated effective armament lack long range aircraft modification suit use aircraft command left bombs useless boats sinking merchant vessels immediate november directive effectively sorties missions essential given sinking ships months war squadrons lacked weapons aircraft means detecting boats convoys britain lacked surface vessel escort sweeps lacked endurance stay gibraltar lack flying boats meant lack air cover miles great efforts limited resources provide cover light time boats use rising setting sun horizon difficult practice french ally spring summer command stretched german naval forces operating germany norway germans surface vessels boats breakout atlantic periods dark winter weather conditions unfavourable aircraft radar civil pilots compensate lack machines armament defend enemy fighters carry sufficient stock bombs ineffective crew trained january boats opened offensive submarines sank ships east range command aircraft situation worsened disastrous collapse france need long range aircraft identified success squadron sighted boat german submarine enable sinking ships directed destroyers engage scuttled submarine escaped june western end began operating effectively attacks aircraft boats successful ordered replaced specialised aerial available modified naval effective tactics available locate boats attacked night surface useless surfaced submarines low altitude required aircraft attack combat closer operation navy needed french ports boats targeted victims east services set area combined headquarters operations atlantic organisation inter service born nerve centre atlantic war units required means attacking targets mention aircraft endurance refused receive priority good losses october december allied ships sunk happy time december boats sank ships million tons included british kills boats success achieved help luftwaffe failed appreciate importance maritime aviation meaningful german convoy reconnaissance effective tactics greater resources command major changes adopted sweeps convoy routes sweeps boat transit routes according german italian submarine logs effective denied chance convoys surface rapidly increased chances kill transit tactic resulted air air air submarine reaching peak command credited navy vessels sunk damaged damaged ships sunk proper weapons available situation improved january march ships sunk return boat damaged august december sunk damaged air attack boats sea considerable achievement circulated squadrons coming online crews believe ability detect submarines issued tactical instructions enact release spaced feet apart set depth feet later pistols achieved feet depth later altered feet total release questioned miss mean exhausting ammunition sightings aircraft like wellington carry sink boat hit total release aircraft ordered attack seconds sighting boats dive time crews attacked foot altitude stated avoid striking submarine modified naval released mph broke dropped speeds mph accurate standard weapon ultra helped contain boat threat maximum range contact boat medium range variable introduced reduce strength output signal harder boats detect searching aircraft july improvements intelligence drove boats west atlantic density shipping air support british air patrols reduced enemy miles bases aircraft density reduced percent miles time command new strategy combat boats preceding months command contributed little boat war contributed capture renamed shared kills naval forces addition air attacks submarines damaged taking office demanded focused effort offensive operations boats meant offensive operations boats transit boat french atlantic coast north atlantic trunk atlantic boat menace roots ports branches spreading far wide north_atlantic convoys caribbean eastern north_america sea lanes faster merchant ships sail escort main transit point boats heading atlantic boats took route passed range raf air bases resolved routes june november known bay offensive offensive ineffective period september november flying hours producing sightings attacks possible heavily damaged boats kill came day offensive sunk squadron raf guided versus boats allies lost tons shipping replaced tons boats managed sink allied ships lost took place mid atlantic gap range long range command lacked aircraft quantity following entry united_states_of_america war german boats plenty targets found difficult maintain strength units operated united_states west_africa mediterranean iceland russia gibraltar north_africa middle_east squadrons sent positive began increasing efficiency rocket projectiles improved pistols shallower depths lights introduced radar despite priority coming use july boat sunk help light triggered help device germans provided respite radar french radar warning receiver allies responded reducing signal making difficult germans detect later radar introduced overcoming boat sank boats damaged kills shared navy contrast priority garnered greater resources expense failed destroy single completed boat slip april use aircraft defensive purposes insisted threat checked attacking production indication effectiveness air tactics fact allied ships sunk miles british waters late june june enemy submarines sunk command february took time debate taking place raf best attack boats sink large numbers favour knocking bases attacking submarine construction yards partly mark air forces particularly harris hated bombers considered defensive roles agreed need war boats preferred attacking german vessels transit atlantic operational tool air vice marshal group offensive collectively known second bay offensive lasting february operation included squadrons iii radar total sorties managed sightings attacks boat german submarine sunk squadron units abruptly moved despite protests lost units capability enhanced arrival radar operations bay night february bomber shot enabling germans examine radar develop counter measures shocked advanced nature design proven research wide mark harris won majority resources radar squadron raf squadron device fitted supplement lights attacked boat march shot submarine noted lack warning sent warning boat command march achieved revenge period boats passed bay sightings attacks sunk squadron wellington operation april sighted attacked submarines passing sinking boat sunk squadron soon followed able deploy iii equipped boat sunk dispatched offensive ended april results disappointing command flown hours lost aircraft sunk submarines damaged bay offensive failed spring mid atlantic turn fortunes experienced command received long range aircraft needed increased numbers british types including halifax lancaster bomber diverted deal boat threat march command sighted boats attacked command lost heavily period succeeded inflicting decisive defeat boats german blockade runners prevented carrying cargo germany held ports france year boat losses amounted causes total sunk damaged time sighted submarines occasions resulted attacks sunk shared destroyed damaged figures aircraft lost owing weather conditions destroyed figure group raf attacking boats defeat boats mid atlantic withdrawal meant german submarines seeking refuge revisited strategy tried failed time crucial differences firstly improvement radar enhanced detection submarines submerged surfaced intelligence british ultra organisation broken naval codes confirmed major change german strategy enabled british focus renewed air operations began command found boats new strategy avoidance discovered germans new tactical instructions german crews ordered transit bay groups submerged night surface daylight concentrate defensive fire later boat designs firepower upgraded purpose luftwaffe provided night fighters escort submarines increased firepower determination german air submarine crews fight deter british crews bay offensive aircraft submarine battle involved heavy losses despite efforts defend june air attacks forced german submarines trip submerged daylight effects indirect patrols inflicted increasing losses boats july august submarines passed bay sighted sunk exchange aircraft luftwaffe significant effort defend submarines august aircraft allied fighters lost aerial combat equipped radio controlled bombs forced royal_navy units abandon attacking submarines region german submarines ordered spanish coast limit range neutral territory spain axis friendly unlikely protest tactical corrected earlier mistakes allowing transit range allied air bases germans regained measure safety bay successes won july reached peak repeated versus boats defeat boats signal end battle atlantic vessels remained posed threat convoys later months device originated dutch later adopted kriegsmarine germans invaded netherlands capable allowing boat replace air supply vent diesel exhaust available sensitive weather immense pressure strain crews remain submerged long period hostile waters coastal radar detect mast smoke emitted visible feet cases mast seen foot diameter projecting feet moving knots technological response use high tea series dropped aircraft surface sea detect boats late losing percent strength month percent return seriously damaged despite end final air offensive patrols continued liberation france patrol statistics period august flown hours lost aircraft causes sinking boats damaging august flew hours losing aircraft causes sinking boats damaging boats effective remained sea tie allied air sea forces possible relieve pressure services luftwaffe allies launched operation overlord june boats attempted shipping lost number june submarines norway joined french ports operations suffer attacks day returned damage august owing allied advance boat ports submarines ordered norway evacuation france complete september june august boats lost end witnessed interception percent sighted resulted percent attacked sunk main allied time mad mad entered service find targets vanished coastal waters able plot recognise earth magnetic field caused submarines took skill use worked directly target effective low altitudes success gibraltar ineffective british waters owing different conditions recorded mad victory british waters sinking april invention american radar devices mark responsible destruction sunk squadron raf squadron raf year war germans regained ground technology battle grand admiral given hope achieving strategic effect boat war available attempt impose effect ordered operations british home waters designs faster difficult detect german operations type british waters sank seven ships loss end april type completed trials trials type operational surrender introduction came late bulk operations continued older type vii submarines type suffered heavy losses allied aircraft losing british waters weeks war experiencing happy time reverse submarines baltic_sea lost number total allied aircraft response german submarines flowed baltic norway mined coastal waters close swedish coast group group raf success submarines april german crews travelled surface fear mines exposing air attack groups sunk vessels kill took place flight lieutenant flying squadron crippled submarine days later hands years war sank boats service continued hold technological advantage onwards brief threat shape emerged late alter outcome allies held technological edge onward official wartime operations ceased midnight june mission flown wing commander squadron raf time decorations awarded included distinguished service orders offensive operations early struggle end anti shipping operations campaign german trade north west european waters claimed direct attack vessels totalling tons badly damaged exchange aircraft shot lost causes enemy vessel human casualties amounted men including performance contrasted heavily service joint laying effort sank enemy vessels period totalling tons damaged loss aircraft performance strike wings poor intelligence equipment refused favour roles defined anti shipping role pre war plans obtaining information enemy commercial traffic receive high priority war started difficult establish quickly means acquiring information especially fall norway france april extent intelligence vacuum start campaign demonstrated fact planners unaware heavy anti aircraft armament fitted enemy merchant vessels casualty rates excess percent clarified matters failure acquire results prompted admiralty complain november december agreed planned new raf squadrons given operational interim aircraft given squadrons bolster strength fighter torpedo bomber squadron available units finding feet large number personnel aircraft sent malta supplies italy north_africa adding problem shortage materials testing facilities squadrons slow squadrons recognition needed wake german operation maintenance poor service maintain operational ready rate percent higher point greater emphasis increased set light success programs fighter bomber commands scientists appointed acted advisors sections set planned flying maintenance weather navigation resources spread evenly received attention rest receive close attention boats contained certain degree achieved july group joined campaign claimed vessels sunk damaged vessels totalling tons credited destroyed vessels totalling tons damaged intelligence august saw drop destroyed tons tons damaged post war assessments reveal stated final figures seven sunk tons seriously damaged figures improved autumn resources better training equipment including capable strike aircraft resulted increasing kill numbers increased numbers better aircraft armament enabled offensive capabilities command increase dramatically later years solved medium range operational problems long range strikes type group raf took march october suitable answer lay offered combination speed rugged endurance multi role capability variety different armament operational early immediate impact september squadrons aircraft created april special units came operation november squadron based inexperienced crews initially suffered heavy casualties little return withdrawn trained wing returned april success joined wing june began operations rockets equipped norwegian squadron october later fitted cannon planned larger version anti aircraft artillery gun modified use anti tank gun tested similar manner single fly war rockets cannon effective command aircraft begin large scale january german construction keeping pace losses period january april germans lost tons shipping directly operations june august seven vessels sunk norwegian waters wing sank vessels totalling tons september december shared destruction damaged total tons time main weapon rocket following kill account obtained aircraft theatres played limited squadron raf squadron raf operated gibraltar involved sinking respectively command non combat operations meteorological flight came november main priority identifying temperature pressure humidity general weather conditions logged sea level feet flights named changes air conditions usually came atlantic west met relied reports ships regard need aircraft operations ignored owing lack aircraft june started anxious base landing conditions accuracy general forecasts response strong support squadron raf squadron raf squadron raf formed purpose routes requested met usually involved distances ideal operation available filled role march assumed operational control units redesignated flights handed group raf october flights sent iceland begin operations types single engine aircraft operations conducted feet wartime capsule able accurate readings aircraft flown height measured minutes allow readings settle operation sorties summer march high number flight flew sorties scotland covering atlantic_ocean west gap long range available increasing numbers squadron raf joined 8th flight march halifax squadron raf started conduct deep operations central atlantic september readings operations taken sea level pressure readings taken usual flight patterns involved climb feet return leg flown slow descent sea level followed return base feet flights covering atlantic bay north_sea covered percent allied met flights november june sorties atlantic june contributed decision launch june squadron flew days year support met operations prior second world war british air sea rescue organisation rescuing sea instead relied salvage vessels vicinity range high speed launches established flying boat bases developed range mid-1930s seven service january air sea rescue set service aircraft diverse scouting coastlines planned long term use june rescue seas increased percent decided service better merged september air marshal took organisation october squadron raf squadron raf given work supported squadrons equipped group authorised create squadron raf october act specialised squadron squadron raf created november given aircraft place desperately needed operations production usually crews water aircraft came discussion war suitable operations main aircraft aircraft squadrons specialised conversion available spring development slow effort paid men rescued sea squadron end rescued presumed sea day june personnel rescued month june saved units persons rescued operations total allied enemy non british secret intelligence service chief wing commander developed aerial photograph techniques collaboration french task gather record german targets summer group raf carrying role problems standard equipment led formation specialist formations duty squadrons act photographic reconnaissance unit squadron raf saw service campaigns western_europe june control end campaign admiralty pressed case need coastal sea reconnaissance operations owing evacuation northern europe allies reconnaissance operations given june included analysed photographic evidence organisation called photographic reconnaissance unit administered group raf operational control operations concerned planned invasion britain unit receive aircraft specialised adapted reconnaissance use capable miles round trips aircraft available unit range limited miles eventually assortment flights established august arrived problems ensured long time achieved equipment august flew sorties suspected invasion ports netherlands belgium france threat invasion muted command attention turned time command martin maryland excelled work july arrived time aircraft operational september operational strength flight long range reach deep german photograph baltic_sea ports monitor german surface ships flights hours uncommon reached searching german battleship tactics needed vary avoid intercepted german patrols heights constant trips alerted germans british operations admiralty insisted volume flights german capital ships surprise lost solution change height directions approach france losses severe particularly port brest france german defences strong owing operation operation joint kriegsmarine luftwaffe plan enable escape english channel lost operations december failure photograph pin point location ships led successful germany february day german operation aircraft caught sight ships late success forthcoming later february identified radar sets france eager evaluate british_army carried commando raid capture transport example mobile radar britain force increased aircraft flights year progressed operations carried atlantic scandinavia north_sea baltic_sea november units operated gibraltar support allied landing french north_africa detailed watch movements toulon france active squadrons time operated squadron raf particularly busy norway june decreased demand admiralty meant supported frequently battle extensive use identify report effects air attacks squadron raf way record results instrumental locating german missile testing sites baltic_sea near allowing attack september admiralty asked help german heavy units norway squadron raf contributed success operation success units strength aircraft identification german missile sites possible continually identified german launch ramps despite german camouflage efforts enabled british aircraft bomb reduce effectiveness june ramps located february squadron leader actually spotted launch pad ready fire clear elusive weapon size late squadron raf supported group bombing sinking covered northern germany scandinavia end war squadron raf veteran flew missions flying secret mail soviet_union fourth moscow conference october operations carried conference february end war squadrons kept post war raf casualties lost aircraft causes anti submarine sorties anti shipping operations laying air superiority missions bombing raids land targets photo reconnaissance operations personnel killed action killed accidents killed causes wounded died natural causes wounded means enemy action totalled casualties ground crews killed action killed accidents killed causes wounded died natural causes wounded means total
RAF Coastal Command during World War II