Black May (World War II)

Black May
Part of The Battle of the Atlantic

Depth charges exploding from the destroyer HMS Vanoc during an Atlantic convoy in May 1943
Date29 April – 24 May 1943
Location
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 Canada
 Germany
Commanders and leaders
Max Horton
John Slessor
Karl Dönitz
Strength
Royal Navy
Merchant navy
Kriegsmarine U-boat arm
Casualties and losses
58 ships sunk
  • 43 submarines sunk
  • 37 submarines damaged

Black May refers to May 1943 in the Battle of the Atlantic campaign during World War II, when the Kriegsmarine U-boat arm (U-Bootwaffe) suffered high casualties with fewer Allied ships sunk; it is considered a watershed in the Battle of the Atlantic.