In January 1942, one month after the United States entered World War II, German U-boat submarines began a spree of destruction against American and Allied shipping off the coast of the United States, beginning first with the East Coast and later extending to the Gulf Coast. This volume chronicles the height of the German U-boat offensive along the U.S. East Coast through May 1942 and the struggling efforts of the U.S. Navy to gain control of a situation for which it is largely unprepared. The lack of suitable warships and aircraft to combat the menace allows the U-boats to enjoy a runaway success for four months, resulting in heavy losses of ships, crews, and cargoes that pose a threat to the U.S. and British war efforts. The gradual increase in surface and air forces finally begins to curb U-boat success and allow the inauguration of coastal convoys to protect shipping.