Creeping attack (naval tactic)
Encyclopedia
The creeping attack was developed during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II
as an anti submarine measure.
It was first used by 36 Escort Group of the Royal Navy
after being developed by the groups commanding officer, Captain "Johnnie" Walker
.
The problem addressed by Walker in the tactics then in use was that ASDIC, the means to search for and find a submerged submarine, searched forward, while the main weapon to attack it, the depth charge, was released or projected from the stern.
This led to a loss of contact in final run up to target, giving the U-boat
a chance to move at the last minute and evade damage. The more skilled or experienced U-boat commanders became adept at predicting the points at which the escort speeded up to attack, and when they lost ASDIC contact, and were able to move aside while the charges sank to their depth.
The creeping attack used two ships; one to remain stationary and keep in contact, and guide a second ship onto the target. The second approached slowly, in order not to warn the U-boat of its approach, and released its depth charges on a signal from the first. The method required practice to get right, and was expensive of time and resources, but was devastatingly effective. 36 EG, and Walker's next group, 2nd Support Group, were the most successful U-boat killers of the war.
The advent of more sophisticated ASDIC systems, that held contact close in, and forward-throwing weapons, such as Hedgehog
and Squid
, also overcame the problems that made the creeping attack necessary, but it remained in use throughout the campaign.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as an anti submarine measure.
It was first used by 36 Escort Group of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
after being developed by the groups commanding officer, Captain "Johnnie" Walker
Frederic John Walker
Captain Frederic John Walker, CB, DSO and three Bars, RN was a British Royal Navy officer noted for his exploits during World War II...
.
The problem addressed by Walker in the tactics then in use was that ASDIC, the means to search for and find a submerged submarine, searched forward, while the main weapon to attack it, the depth charge, was released or projected from the stern.
This led to a loss of contact in final run up to target, giving the U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
a chance to move at the last minute and evade damage. The more skilled or experienced U-boat commanders became adept at predicting the points at which the escort speeded up to attack, and when they lost ASDIC contact, and were able to move aside while the charges sank to their depth.
The creeping attack used two ships; one to remain stationary and keep in contact, and guide a second ship onto the target. The second approached slowly, in order not to warn the U-boat of its approach, and released its depth charges on a signal from the first. The method required practice to get right, and was expensive of time and resources, but was devastatingly effective. 36 EG, and Walker's next group, 2nd Support Group, were the most successful U-boat killers of the war.
The advent of more sophisticated ASDIC systems, that held contact close in, and forward-throwing weapons, such as Hedgehog
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
and Squid
Squid (weapon)
Squid was a British World War II ship-mounted anti-submarine weapon. It consisted of a three-barrelled mortar which launched depth charges. It replaced the Hedgehog system, and was in turn replaced by the Limbo system....
, also overcame the problems that made the creeping attack necessary, but it remained in use throughout the campaign.
Sources
- Milner, Marc. The Battle of the Atlantic (2003). ISBN 0-752-2853-5 (UK): ISBN 1-55068-125-7 (Canada)