German Submarine Warfare

What was the main purpose of German U-boats?

To attack Allied and merchant shipping and weaken Britain's ability to continue the war.

What weapons did U-boats use?

Torpedoes, mines, deck guns and explosives.

Why did U-boats often prefer attacking from the surface?

Their periscopes gave limited vision and they were slower underwater.

What were conditions like inside U-boats?

Cramped, hot and unhygienic, causing sickness and lice to spread easily

How did U-boats become more important during the war?

Germany increasingly used them strategically to attack Allied trade.

By how much did U-boat sinkings increase in 1916?

By approximately 29%.

How did the Allies respond to increased U-boat attacks?

They began arming merchant ships

How many operational U-boats did Germany have in February 1917?

111

What was Germany hoping to achieve through submarine warfare?

To strangle British trade and force Britain out of the war

What major problems affected U-boat production by 1917?

Shortages of supplies and skilled labour

How did a lack of spare parts affect U-boats?

It caused frequent mechanical problems and breakdowns.

How did strikes and absenteeism affect Germany's U-boat program?

They slowed production.

What further problems affected production in 1918?

Food shortages and Spanish Flu

What communication system did U-boats rely on?

Wireless radio

Why was wireless communication a weakness?

The British had cracked German radio codes and could read their messages.

Could German U-boats defeat British naval convoys?

No, although they came close.

Why were convoys effective against U-boats?

Merchant ships travelled together under naval protection, making them harder to attack.

What happened to German U-boat warfare by 1918?

Germany realised U-boats could not directly win the war

How many U-boats did Germany build and use during the war?

Approximately 390.

How many U-boats were lost?

Approximately 178.

What were the major weaknesses of German U-boat warfare?

Mechanical problems, shortages, British intelligence, convoys and Allied countermeasures.

How did British intelligence help defeat U-boats?

Britain could read German wireless messages, helping it track and counter U-boats.

What happened to the German surface fleet in 1918?

It mutinied against the German high command

What was the overall result of German submarine warfare?

U-boats seriously threatened Allied shipping but failed to defeat Britain or win the war for Germany