1.  starter activity Churchill said that the Battle of the Atlantic was ‘the only thing that frightened me.’ What do you think he meant? Click picture to run film

2. Why was the battle of the Atlantic so frightening? What was life like on board ship?

3.  Your task Divide the class into two halves. One half should research question a below, the other question b. Read pp.176-179 in ‘Peace & War’ Divide the class into two halves. One half should research question a below, the other question b. Read pp.176-179 in ‘Peace & War’ a. Why were the Germans initially successful in winning the battle? a. Why were the Germans initially successful in winning the battle? b. Why were the Allies eventually successful in winning the battle? b. Why were the Allies eventually successful in winning the battle?

4. Why were the German initially successful in winning the battle? Capture of naval bases on North Sea in Denmark, Norway & France Capture of naval bases on North Sea in Denmark, Norway & France German intelligence – deciphered codes used by convoys German intelligence – deciphered codes used by convoys Tactics used by U-boat ‘wolf packs’, e.g. attacking from surface to avoid ASDIC Tactics used by U-boat ‘wolf packs’, e.g. attacking from surface to avoid ASDIC Lack of air cover Lack of air cover Why were U-boat bases on the North Sea and Atlantic coastline?

5. Why were the allies eventually successful in winning the battle? Ultra - Allied intelligence – deciphering German codes with ‘Enigma’ Tactics used by convoys Radar Rationing Greater air cover after Portuguese allowed Allies to use airbases in Azores US Liberty ships, produced in 6 weeks An enigma code-breaker. What sorts of secret messages do you think it was used for?

6.  Your task What does the chart tell us about the battle of the Atlantic? (3 marks)

7.  Your task Imagine you are a sailor on a merchant ship travelling between America and Britain. Write a letter home describing the experience of being part of an Atlantic convoy. Try to refer to the following: Imagine you are a sailor on a merchant ship travelling between America and Britain. Write a letter home describing the experience of being part of an Atlantic convoy. Try to refer to the following: Tactics used by German U-boats Tactics used by German U-boats Tactics used by Allies to detect and destroy U-boats Tactics used by Allies to detect and destroy U-boats Experiences of fellow sailors who had been attacked by German U-boats Experiences of fellow sailors who had been attacked by German U-boats Writing frame