Convoy SC 48 - Conclusion

Conclusion

This was undoubtedly a victory for the U boat arm; SC 48 lost nine ships of 51,093 tons, while the escort lost two ships sunk and onr damaged; no U boats were lost. Some of the losses, in the face of a large and powerful escort force, can be attributed to Captain Thebaud’s inexperience in convoy escort duty. This, and other cases, led to the practice of leaving the escort group commander of the convoy in charge of its defence, regardless of seniority; a major break with tradition. The attack on Kearny and the loss of American lives was seen as an affront to the United States, and was another step out of her isolation in World War II.

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