Aaron Hamilton's book sets out to counter the popular argument that the Battle of the Atlantic was effectively won by the Allies in 1943, in 'Black May' as it became known. The introduction of the snorkel (anglicised version of the German name 'schnorkel') and its attendant devices including anti-radar coating and acoustic camouflage, were highly significant developments which, by the end of the war, threatened to tip the balance back in favour of the U-Boat.Just as importantly, they paved the way for what were effectively submersibles, with their requirement to surface regularly to replenish their oxygen supplies, to become true submarines. What is remarkable is that the innovation and deployment of this 'air mast', which allowed the snorkel-equipped boats to remain submerged for increasingly long periods of time, was accomplished in the middle of a world war.
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