The March 1943 Crisis in the Battle of the Atlantic: Myth and Reality

Abstract

The idea that the British faced a 'crisis' which threatened their ability to use convoys to supply themselves with food and war materials in the Battle of the Atlantic during March 1943 is well established in the historical literature. This article, however, will argue that the concept of such a crisis is a myth. Through an examination of contemporary documents, statistics, and the actions of the British political and naval leadership, the article will show that March 1943 was not the crisis of the battle and that decisions which have been seen as responding to the crisis were caused by other considerations.