The threat from Axis submarines prowling the East Coast of the United States was scary and very real. Onshore shelling terrorized civilians, but the real low-hanging fruit for the submarines was on the seas. By as early as August 1942, Axis subs had caused the loss of thousands of lives, mainly merchant mariners, and sunk more than 600 ships totaling 3 million tons. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying, “The only thing that really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”
The Surprising Missions of the Civil Air Patrol
Key Takeaways:
- The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) originated during WWII, using private aircraft to counter German U-boat threats off the U.S. coast.
- Today, CAP operates the world's largest general aviation fleet, supporting the U.S. Air Force with training and drone operations, and aiding communities with disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions.
- Comprised of 60,000 volunteers, CAP also offers extensive youth cadet programs, aerospace education for K-12 students, and opportunities for pilots to serve while gaining flight experience.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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