Escort Carrier Tactics When Escorting Convoys
There were three basic tactics for operating an escort carrier in defence of a convoy:
- Within the convoy, which gave it the protection of the convoy′s escort but limited the space to turn into the wind to operate aircraft.
- Near the convoy, which gave the carrier freedom of manoeuvre, but put it outside the screen provided by the convoy′s escort, making it necessary for the carrier to have its own separate escort. The carrier was also likely to be spotted by enemy forces approaching the convoy, making it vulnerable to attack.
- Some distance away from the convoy. This increased the time required for aircraft to reach the convoy but reduced the risk of being spotted by forces attacking the convoy.
HMS Audacity was sunk while operating in the second position which was later banned by the Admiralty as too risky.
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Famous quotes containing the words escort and/or carrier:
“When you escort someone, escort him all the way to his destination; if you help someone, help him thoroughly.”
—Chinese proverb.
“We know what the animals do, what are the needs of the beaver, the bear, the salmon, and other creatures, because long ago men married them and acquired this knowledge from their animal wives. Today the priests say we lie, but we know better.”
—native American belief, quoted by D. Jenness in “The Carrier Indians of the Bulkley River,” Bulletin no. 133, Bureau of American Ethnology (1943)