P atrol aviation in the Atlantic in WW II has been described as  “thousands of hours of boredom interspersed with moments of sheer terror.” On 7 December 1941, patrol aviation in the Atlantic was organized under Commander Patrol Wings, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Five wings were located as follows: Patrol Wing 3, Coca Solo, Canal Zone; Patrol Wings 5, 8 and 9, Norfolk, Va.; and Patrol Wing 7, Argentia, New-foundland. Twelve Atlantic patrol squadrons were equipped with various models of the Consolidated PBY Catalina, with one squadron flying the Martin PBM Mariner. An additional squadron’was transitioning to the Lockheed PBO Hudson...