Final answer:
There were two main types of convoys: Merchant convoys for cargo and Troop convoys for soldiers. An escort is the protective naval force, whereas a convoy refers to the protected group of ships. The convoy system and the technology of sonar greatly enhanced Allied security and efficacy in both World Wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
During World War I and World War II, two main types of convoys were used to protect merchant ships and troop transports: Merchant convoys and Troop convoys. Merchant convoys consisted of cargo vessels carrying supplies, materials, or goods, while Troop convoys carried soldiers and military equipment to various theaters of war.
The difference between an escort and a convoy is that an escort refers to the armed naval ships, such as destroyers and cruisers, which protect the group of merchant or troop vessels, collectively called a convoy, from enemy attacks, predominantly submarines. In operations such as Convoy System, escorts would circle around the merchant ships to provide protection. Escorts proactively search for and defend against threats, while the convoys are the groups of ships being safeguarded.
The convoy system was crucial in reducing ship losses, as seen with U.S. Navy Rear Admiral William S. Sims' successful implementation of the strategy against German U-boats. With the additional technological advancement of sonar, convoys we're able to detect and combat submarines more effectively, contributing to the Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.