Escort Carrier Tactics When Escorting Convoys
There were three basic tactics for operating an escort carrier in defence of a convoy:
- Within the convoy, which gave it the protection of the convoy′s escort but limited the space to turn into the wind to operate aircraft.
- Near the convoy, which gave the carrier freedom of manoeuvre, but put it outside the screen provided by the convoy′s escort, making it necessary for the carrier to have its own separate escort. The carrier was also likely to be spotted by enemy forces approaching the convoy, making it vulnerable to attack.
- Some distance away from the convoy. This increased the time required for aircraft to reach the convoy but reduced the risk of being spotted by forces attacking the convoy.
HMS Audacity was sunk while operating in the second position which was later banned by the Admiralty as too risky.
Read more about this topic: Escort Carrier
Famous quotes containing the words escort and/or carrier:
“When you escort someone, escort him all the way to his destination; if you help someone, help him thoroughly.”
—Chinese proverb.
“When toddlers are unable to speak about urgent matters, they must resort to crying or screaming. This happens even with adults. The voice is the carrier of emotion, and when speech fails us, we need to cry out in whatever form we can to convey our meaning. Often, what passes for negativism is really the toddler’s desperate effort to make herself understood.”
—Alicia F. Lieberman (20th century)