Sunderland Vs U-Boat: Bay of Biscay 1943-44

80 pages

Dr James Bosbotinis

As will be well-known to members, one is an aviation nerd and so the subject of this book immediately appealed, with the cover artwork depicting a 1943 encounter between two Sunderlands and a U-boat adding to the attraction. The author, Mark Lardas, is a prolific author, in particular on naval history, and many of his books have been reviewed in the NR, including by this reviewer. In this respect, one was expecting a concise, yet detailed and engaging account of the operations of Royal Air Force Coastal Command Sunderland flying boats against U-boats in the Bay of Biscay. I was not disappointed.

Following the established approach in Osprey’s ‘Duel’ series, the book charts the design and development of the Sunderland and relevant U-boat types, and associated weaponry, the training systems employed by the Royal Air Force and Kriegsmarine, the overarching strategic situation, as well as an account and analysis of the tactical actions in the Bay of Biscay in 1943-44. This is accompanied by various photographs, illustrations and maps. This is placed within a long-term context, for example, the author outlines German U-boat development from the First World War and efforts to evade the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Lardas also argues that there “should not have been a Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, at least not the one fought throughout the conflict, with U-boats relentlessly stalking merchant ships as they criss-crossed the Atlantic”, suggesting that “the Allies neglected the lessons in effective ASW they had learned during World War I.” The author particularly draws attention to Coastal Command being “the ‘Cinderella service’” and suggests the prioritisation of Bomber Command “effectively kept RAF Coastal Command starved of sufficient long-range patrol aircraft until early 1943.” This certainly provides food for thought.

Sunderland vs U-Boat provides a well-written, highly engaging and informative read. It will certainly appeal to those with an interest in the Battle of the Atlantic, maritime airpower, or the history of the Second World War. It is recommended.