WWI The First Modern War: The Germans Engage In Unrestricted Submarine Warfare | History

Summary

In 1915, Germany declared an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to sever Britain's vital supply lines by attacking all enemy ships without warning. This tactic was effective but risky, as it led to civilian ships being targeted. By April, German U-boats had sunk 39 merchant ships, causing a humanitarian crisis and drawing the United States closer to entering the war.

Takeaways

• 🚩 Germany declared an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to sever British commerce and war supplies.
• 🛳️ The strategy targeted both military and civilian ships without warning, to cut off Britain's vital imports.
• 🇬🇧 Britain relied heavily on shipping lanes, particularly from the US and South America, for survival during the war.
• 🔄 Initially, Germany followed international naval rules, allowing civilian ships to surrender before being sunk.
• 🔍 The British quickly adapted by arming merchant ships to counter the surfaced submarines, creating a dangerous dynamic.
• 🚫 Submarines faced logistical issues, unable to accommodate all crew and passengers, leading to inhumane tactics.
• 🎯 The new rules of engagement led to rapid results, with 39 merchant ships sunk by German U-boats by April 1915.
• 🔫 Both torpedoes and deck guns were utilized by German submarines in their unrestricted warfare campaign.
• ⚔️ The 'shoot on sight' policy inadvertently put American ships and citizens at risk, complicating German strategy.
• 🌐 Unrestricted submarine warfare posed a dilemma for Germany as it risked sinking ships of neutral nations, escalating tensions.

Q & A

What was Germany's strategy during unrestricted submarine warfare?

Germany's strategy was to attack all enemy ships, both military and civilian, without warning to cut off all British commerce and vital war supplies.

Why was cutting off British commerce and supplies considered crucial by Germany?

Cutting off British commerce and supplies was crucial because it would force Britain to starve and potentially leave the war, as Britain relied heavily on imports for survival.

How did Britain respond to Germany's submarine warfare tactics?

Britain responded by arming their merchant ships so that when a German submarine surfaced, the merchant ship could engage in combat.

What were the issues with the International Rules of Engagement for naval vessels before unrestricted submarine warfare?

The issues included the vulnerability of submarines when surfaced and the impracticality of evacuating passengers and crew to safety, as there was not enough space on the submarine.

What was the consequence of unrestricted submarine warfare for German submarines?

Unrestricted submarine warfare allowed German submarines to attack without following the International Rules of Engagement, leading to faster results but also putting American ships and civilians at risk.

How did Germany's new tactic affect the number of ships sunk?

By the end of April 1915, German U-boats sank 39 merchant ships using both torpedoes and deck guns, indicating the effectiveness of the new tactic.

What was the main problem with unrestricted submarine warfare from a German perspective?

The main problem was that it was difficult to distinguish the nationality of the ships being sunk, which could lead to the sinking of neutral or friendly vessels.

Why was it considered inhumane to use submarines in the traditional way during the war?

It was considered inhumane because submarines had to surface to give civilians a chance to surrender and abandon ship, which made them vulnerable, and there was not enough space to accommodate all passengers and crew.

What was the impact of unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships and civilians?

Unrestricted submarine warfare put American ships and civilians in the crossfire, as they could be attacked without warning, leading to potential loss of life and property.

How did the new rules of engagement for German submarines differ from the previous ones?

The new rules allowed German submarines to attack immediately upon sighting enemy ships, without the requirement to surface and give warning, thus making the attacks more efficient but also more dangerous for non-combatants.