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Oh well, maybe the question was a bit too ambiguous...?!
I'll quote the answer from my source, 'U-boats under the Swastika' by Jak. P. Mallmann-Showell, who explains it very well:
So there you go - a really major 'what if...?' situation to think about!...Doenitz demanded a change in radio procedures and when the Supreme Naval Command finally acquiesced, the German leadership made one of their biggest mistakes of the war. This disastrous story started towards the end of November 1941, when activities in North Africa caused the Supreme Naval Command to withdraw U-boats from the Atlantic to reinforce the Mediterranean and the area west of Gibraltar. As a result there were no boats in the shipping lanes of the North Atlantic and the convoy war came to a halt. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour took place during the temporary lull in hostilities and was followed by Operation 'Paukenschlag', the German move against the United States and the start of the U-boats' second 'Happy Time'.
When the German radio code was changed in January 1942 during this most turbulent period, it created a total blackout at the Operational Intelligence Centre in London - but that was not noticed in Germany because virtually all other parameters of battle were also drastically altered. Had the new code been introduced three or even two months earlier, the blackout would have coincided with regular convoy attacks and Germany would would have been aware of the sudden change in situation. British crypto-analysts struggled with the new code until the autumn of 1942, and managed to regain some insight into the procedures shortly after U-boats shifted their main operations area from US waters back to the middle of the Atlantic, and again the change in theatres of war probably helped to cloud Britain's most important secret.
I don't have another question to hand, so someone please feel free to take a turn.
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Senior Member
A very interesting and informative question VG!
To keep the ball rolling, I have one:
Mid December 1941 - Operation Drumbeat was being planned. Doenitz requested 12 long range Type IX U-Boats to be sent to the Eastern American Seaboard.
The Chief of the Operations section, Captain Godt (later to become Rear Admiral) initially approved only how many - much to Doenitz's surprise?
There is an explanation as to why all 12 weren't allocated - for bonus points can you tell me where Hitler ordered the others to be sent instead?
Senior Member
Indeed. Other then the aggressive Bomber Command offensive, Britain depended heavily on its boffins and intelligence expertise to keep itself in the fight, particularly in the early years of the war. Strange how total war brought out such qualities in our nation.Originally posted by Messervy:
Anyway it also points out just how important the "battle of wits" was for the outcome of the war.
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Senior Member
Not the Med VG I'm afraid. A hint: The other boats were directed to mass with other German units as Hitler feared an imminent invasion of somewhere much further North than the Med by Allied forces.Were a number of Type-IX U-boats kept in the Mediterranean theatre to help stem the flow of Allied supplies into North Africa?
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A little late to reveal the answer.
The number of boats intially allocated to Drumbeat was 6, as opposed to the 12 Doenitz requested.
The reason being Hitler was paranoid of an Allied invasion of Norway at the time, and as such, wanted other available boats stationed in that area to compliment surface vessels.
Open floor for a new question!
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Senior Member
VG - To keep up the momentum, I'll post a question if you don't mind - I know you are a busy man these days! (Not that you weren't busy before, of course!)
We've had questions about 'Bold' (or Submarine bubble target') on the quiz before - but not one I think that explains who's idea's were behind it.
So...Who can tell me who originally proposed a device, previously unthought of, that developed into the 'Bold' that we all know and sometimes have to use?
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