U-boats are pulled away from the Western Approaches
German U-boats begin withdrawing from the Western Approaches so that they can support the planned invasion of Norway. The decision interrupts the Atlantic merchant-shipping offensive just as the winter campaign has shown that Britain can keep convoy traffic moving and Germany is struggling to replace submarine losses quickly enough to build a larger force. The redeployment reflects the Kriegsmarine's competing priorities. Norway matters because it protects the route for Swedish iron ore, threatens the northern approaches to Britain and offers bases for future naval operations. U-boats are therefore positioned off…
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