We've been having a bit of a debate (it hasn't turned into an argument - yet!) on the BBC's history messageboards about the importance of Ultra in beating the U-boats. On the one hand there are those who maintain that Ultra essentially won the Battle of the Atlantic. On the other there is... well, me, basically, who believes that Ultra is much overrated. I was once a member of the 'Ultra Faithful', so to speak, but a couple of years ago, a lecture in my history degree's module on British Military History 1914-45 prompted me to apostise. I now believe that much of Ultra intelligence was useless, taking so long to decode and identify as important that it was already out of date. (Those pesky U-boats refused to sit still and wait for the RN to catch up with them...)

I maintain that, whilst Ultra had a role to play, it was improved technology (better radar and the like), improved tactics and Allied airpower which won the day.

Any thoughts?