WWI The First Modern War: The Germans Engage In Unrestricted Submarine Warfare | History
Germany's Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Introduction to Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
- Germany announces an exclusion zone for unrestricted submarine warfare, targeting all enemy ships—military and civilian—without warning.
- The primary goal is to disrupt British commerce and vital war supplies, which are largely imported from the United States and South America via established shipping lanes.
Impact on Britain
- If Germany successfully cuts off these supply lines, Britain risks starvation and could be forced to withdraw from the war.
- Until this point, Germany adhered to international rules of engagement, allowing civilians a chance to surrender before sinking their vessels.
Challenges of Traditional Naval Engagement
- The traditional approach posed significant challenges; submarines were vulnerable when surfaced, leading British merchant ships to arm themselves against potential attacks.
- Submarines lacked the capacity to safely evacuate crew and passengers from targeted ships, necessitating a more aggressive approach in naval engagements.
Shift in Tactics
- By April 1915, German U-boats had sunk 39 merchant ships using both torpedoes and deck guns due to the new "shoot on sight" policy.
- This shift in tactics resulted in American ships also being caught up in the conflict as they were not exempt from these aggressive actions.