What was special about German U-boats?
The formidable U-boats (unterseeboots) prowled the Atlantic armed with torpedoes. They were Germany's only weapon of advantage as Britain effectively blocked German ports to supplies. The goal was to starve Britain before the British blockade defeated Germany.
Why were U-boats so effective in ww2?
For a time, U-boats seemed to be the most powerful and perfect weapon in a naval fleet--it was relatively cheap to build and can afflict terrible damage to the enemy's fleet and morale, plus they could creep near or away from enemy ships without much notice.
Were U-boats better than submarines?
The U-boats could go faster and farther, and they could carry almost twice as many weapons as the newest U.S. submarines. They also could submerge four times faster. The U.S. Navy's subs possessed advantages only in maximum depth and an extra half knot submerged.
How did the Allies get an advantage over the German U-boats?
The Allies' defence against, and eventual victory over, the U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic was based on three main factors: the convoy system, in which merchant ships were herded across the North Atlantic and elsewhere in formations of up to 60 ships, protected, as far as possible, by naval escorts and ...
Why were German U-boats superior?
How long could U-boats stay underwater?
Did any U-boats survived the war?
How many U-boats still exist?