Battle of the Atlantic By husnaat123 Sep 3, 1939 British Passenger ship destroyed by German U-Boat On Sep 3rd/1939 a Brith passenger ship heading for Montreal is destroyed by a German U-Boat Period: Sep 3, 1939 to May 18, 1945 Battle of the Atlantic Sep 5, 1939 First merchant ship to be sunk by German U-Boats Oct 18, 1940 36 sunken ships by the attacking German U-boats May 27, 1941 First escorted convoy crosses the Atlantic (Allied) Jan 1, 1942 Germans now have 331 operational U-Boats Jan 1, 1942 216 Vessels fal prey to the German U-Boats May 14, 1942 Convoy system is formally adapted by the U.S Jun 1, 1942 Allies lose 834 000 tons of goods Feb 1, 1943 Presidential call for 250 assault aircrafts Jun 1, 1943 Last U-Boats are sent out in smaller groups May 1, 1945 All U-Boats have been destroyed by the Allies