At the outbreak of the Second World War, Coastal Command consisted of only 183 aircraft. Of these, 135 were Avro Ansons, a reliable aircraft but one with inadequate armament, low bomb-carrying capacity and insufficient range. Only nine were Lockheed Hudsons, chosen as the main replacement for the Ansons. There were sixteen Short Sunderlands, but others were in production to replace the fifteen obsolescent Saro London or Supermarine Stranraer flying boats still in service. However, the anti-submarine bombs which the aircraft carried were almost useless, even if they scored a direct hit, and depth charges which could be dropped from the air were not yet designed. The anti-shipping strike force consisted merely of twelve Vickers Vildebeests, an obsolete torpedo-carrying biplane, although Bristol Beauforts were being built to replace these. Such an inadequate force was not quite so ridiculous as it may seem in retrospect. Germany's North Sea coastline was short and the main enemy threat was believed to come from surface raiders and U-boats. Defence against the Kriegsmarine was considered to be the province of the powerful Royal Navy, backed by its Fleet Air Arm. I he duties of Coastal Command were perceived as reconnaissance, convoy escort and submarine spotting, with an occasional foray against enemy warships.
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