World War One Submarine Warfare

Germany's Problem

1915 88,235 1916 121,1141917 259,627 1918 293,760 total deaths by starvation 762,736 people

In 1918 the average German only consumed 1,000 Calories per day

The Germans have to Pressure The United Kingdom into leaving the war in order to continue on.

The German U-Boats are an option the German have available to attack the British Navy and Sea trade

Positives of Submarines - At the beginning of the war the submarine is undetectable by enemy

- Submarines can shoot torpedoes at enemy ships

Negatives of submarines- Small, little protection, few weapons

Positives of Battleships - Large, fast, well armored and powerful weapons

Negatives of Battleships - Out in the open, initially unprepared for submarine warfare

Submarines and Battleships

German U-Boats are a possible solution to breaking the British blockade and in return blocking trade to Britain

Ideally Germany would like to adopt a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare against the UK attacking any trade or military vessel.

However, traditional naval procedures for capturing a trading vessel, were impractical for a submarine

- Submarines are slow and have to surface

Naval Etiquette In a time of war a trade ship going to an enemy nation,

when captured by a war ship is first has its cargo search Then if the cargo is deemed important the ship is taken

over and all of the passengers are ensured safe passage When everyone is evacuated off the boat it can then be

sunk, if not practical to take the ship.

Pros

Cons