Military Model Scene

Title: Sunderland vs U-Boat
Author: Mark Lardas
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5481-0

Bay of Biscay 1943-44, number 130 in the Duel series from Osprey. An 80-page soft-cover book in the usual style for this series, and with artwork by Jim Laurier.
After an Introduction to set the scene, and a Chronology that sets out key dates in the story, we get to the details of these weapons. Design & Development starts with the Sunderland before adding the various types of U-boats which operated in the area. These include the shorter range Type VIIs, the longer range Type IX and the Type XIV supply boats. This is followed by their Technical Specifications before examining the Strategic situation. After the success of the German invasion of France in 1940, the U-Boats had access to the ports on the west coast of France, giving them direct access to the Atlantic and to extend their attacks on the allied convoys going to and from the UK. But to get to their ports they had to transit the Bay of Biscay, and this became am area for regular patrols by aircraft of Coastal Command, and in particular the Sunderland. Next comes more detail on the Combatants on both sides before detailing some of the specific actions that took place. The fortunes of war changed over time. In the early years, 1941/2, the U-Boats were most successful whereas that changed in 1943 and 1944, when the Sunderlands had more success. The closing chapters provide Statistics & Analysis, along with consideration of the Aftermath.
There were changes in technology, such as improved radars in the aircraft and the use of Schnorkels by the U-Boats. A small number of boats were also fitted out as Flak boats, with increased anti-aircraft armament, but they were not enough. The book tells us of the successes and failures, along with the changes in tactics as the U-Boats tried to outwit the Sunderlands of Coastal Command. With plenty of archive images and some lovely artwork showing things such as the different anti-submarine weapons used by the Sunderland, as well the cockpit layout, profiles of aircraft and submarines plus some more general battle scenes and maps. More interesting reading from author Mark Lardas.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin