Hunter-Killer: U.S. Escort Carriers in the Battle of the Atlantic (Bluejacket Books) [Paperback]

William T. Y'Blood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004 | Series: Bluejacket Books

The pursuit of German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic has long been considered one of the most exciting stories of World War II. This definitive study takes readers into the cockpits and onto the flight decks of the versatile and hardy U.S. escort carriers (CVEs) to tell of their vital, yet little-known contribution to the anti-U-boat campaign. Sailing apart from the Allied convoys, the CVE captains had complete freedom of action and frequently took their ships on "hunt and kill" missions against the enemy. The German submarines were allowed no respite and no place to relax without the fear of discovery. In the eighteen months between the spring of 1943, when the escort carriers began to prowl the Atlantic to November of 1944, the average number of U-boats in daily operation was reduced from 108 to a mere 31. Written by World War II historian William Y'Blood, the book includes a discussion on the CVE's development and construction as well as an examination of the ship's tactical and strategic uses. Though land-based aircraft, various support groups, and the convoy system itself helped win the Battle of the Atlantic, the author shows beyond a doubt that the escort carriers groups' influence was profound and notable.

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About the Author

William T. Y'Blood, a former USAF B-47 pilot and historian for the Office of Air Force History in Washington, D.C., is the author of The Little Giants and Red Sun Setting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 322 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591149959
• ISBN-13: 978-1591149958
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,845,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story of little known action in WWII, August 23, 2010

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frankenstude - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Hunter-Killer: U.S. Escort Carriers in the Battle of the Atlantic (Hardcover)

William T. Y'Blood has provided a well researched and well written account of the hunter-killer groups in the Atlantic during WWII that were based around escort carriers. These ships adapted from typically non-warship types played a major role in the Battle for the Atlantic against German U-boats. This account is not only a story of ships and planes, but of the people who made the success happen. The account also follows the development of tactics and the improvements to the ships and planes that improved these group's successes. This book also documents the failures of these groups as well especially after the U-boats were equipped with snorkels. A well told tale worth reading.