Battleground 331. Wolfpack: Episode II - The Depths of Despair
Oct 8, 2025
Roger Moorhouse, a historian and author specializing in World War II, shares his insights on the U-boat war and the pivotal Battle of the Atlantic. He discusses how German U-boats devastated Allied shipping, pushing Britain to the edge. The conversation highlights the critical technological advancements, including airborne radar and the breaking of the Enigma code, that turned the tide against U-boats. Moorhouse also elaborates on the logistics of shipbuilding and the role of coastal command in achieving an Allied victory, marking a significant shift in naval warfare.
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A U-Boat Crew's Harrowing Patrol
- Roger Moorhouse recounts a U-boat crew performing silent routines and enduring depth-charge attacks described by Luth in his memoir.
- The vivid description highlights cramped, tense conditions and the constant danger U-boat crews faced during patrols.
Propaganda Fueled U‑Boat Recruitment
- Roger Moorhouse explains Nazi propaganda turned U-boat commanders into celebrities to recruit young men.
- The regime used films and public tours to glamorize heroism and fill manpower gaps in the U-boat arm.
Operation Drumbeat's Early Success
- Moorhouse recounts Operation Drumbeat where U-boats exploited US unpreparedness on the East Coast in early 1942.
- He describes how lack of blackout and convoy discipline made American waters like "shooting fish in a barrel" for German submarines.
