Operation Westindien showed the devastating effects of the German U-boats in the Caribbean from Feb. 16 to March 16, 1942.Unknown to many today, in 1942, the oil refineries at Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad were vital in refining the oil arriving from Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Canada heavily relied on this oil, the US and England, also needed this oil. For the Germans, it was a missed opportunity to really devastate the Allied oil and fuel production, which would have long lasting impact on the war.[1]
German U-Boats in the Caribbean: Operation Westindien, 1942. perrya. [3]