Mid-Atlantic gap

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The Mid-Atlantic Gap, Atlantic Gap, Air Gap, Greenland Gap or just the Gap during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II was the gap in coverage by land-based anti-submarine aircraft from Britain, Newfoundland and Iceland. This resulted in heavy merchant shipping losses to U-Boats. The Black Pit of the Air Gap where most losses occurred was the area southeast of Greenland.

The gap was was eventually closed in April 1943 with the VLR (Very Long Range) B-24 Liberator. The Liberator was in short supply, and RAF Bomber Command had higher priority than Coastal Command.

The use of Short Sunderland and RCAF PBY Catalina flying boats also contributed, though they had a limited depth charge capacity.

[edit] Reference

The Battle of the Atlantic by John Costello and Terry Hughes (1977, Collins, London) ISBN 00021604810