The North Atlantic convoy question

[Soviet]

I have a small question to ask about the North Atlantic convoy "air protection". I want to know if the North Atlantic convoy was always escorted by planes during the cross of the Atlantic.

If so, did the Allies have bases in Iceland and Greenland during WWII?

Sorry for my lack of knowledge in that field. I would appreciate some basic information.

Thanks in advance.

[petermac]

There was an airbase at Keflavik in Iceland from where convoy protection flights were made. even so there existed a gap in air coverage until the arrival of specially modified B24 Liberators which were able to operate from bases in Bermuda, Nova Scotia, Northern ireland and Western Scotland to offer protection to convoys at all times during the Atlantic crossing.

Liberators and Sunderland flying boats were fitted with centimetric radar which was able to detect U-boats even at night and in bad weather. They then either used depth charges or called on convoy escorts to attack the submarine.

Peter

[Soviet]

Thanks Peter. With your informations, I was able to find this on the net. Very interesting indeed.

[sniper1shot]

There were air bases all over Nfld and if I am not mistaken Gander, NFLD, Canada had a fairly large CDN/US air contingent.

[behblc]

Coastal Command

Lough Erne ( About 20 miles from me) openned for trade in February 1941 and grew throughout the war to accomadate an OTu at Killadeas and and operational base at castle Archdale which accomadate 240 and 209 to begin with , expanding to house four Squadrons.
Stranraers to being with , Catalinas , then Sunderlands , the latter being the main operational aircraft from December 41 onwards.
A sample of ops flown , standard convoy escort duty , patrols up to Iceland to cover what was known as the "Rose garden" , flights down to Gibralter , over night stay before returning to Ireland.
Biscay was a routine patrol area to take on boats in the transit areas.
Aircraft often detached to other bases like Sullom Voe.
Average flight time could be anything between 12-14 hours.
An easy station , not really , plenty of home comforts in the local towns of Irvinestown and Enniskillen but loss rates were high especially in 43.
Attached a very rare plate showing the blind approach system as it was in June 44 , there were at least two other patterns which I have copies of .

The blind approach system could be picked up at range and the beam took you right down over Ballyshannon to Castle Archdale .
( Se catalina thread)

[behblc]

Coastal Command

A photograph of a Sunderland taken over Biscay.
The ASV can be clearly seen along the side of the aircraft , between mid upper turret and tail , under the wings and above the cockpit.
The photo was taken from an aircraft flying from Archdale.

If on convoy escort duty the aircraft made contact with the Naval escort commander and he detailed what area he needed to be searched.
The various types of patterns were given names like viper or adder.
A "Creeping Line Ahead" is the type most frequently mentioned in ORB's and logbooks.

Coming too close to the convoy was not a good thing , aircraft "id" was often poor and " friendly fire" was a potential problem.
201 squadron lost an aircraft in such circumstance in July 42.

[Simon O.]

Let's not forget the Norwegians flying the Northrop N3-PB followed by Catalinas from Iceland and Scotland.

[behblc]

Most Certainly not.

A detachment of Sunderlands joined them up at Sulom Voe in May 44 to attack a number of Uboats concentrating in that area.
One of the 422 crew s being shot down by U-921.
The Norwegian crews - not to be overlooked.