Imperial German Navy

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p015_1_06Be advised that the following pages do present only few glances at the submarines of the Imperial German Navy. Comprehensive information about all submarines of the Imperial German Navy, such as U-boats, flottillas, dockyards and crews can be found at the webpage “Imperial German Navy”, which is maintained by assistants of the U-boat-Archive and belongs to the German U-boat Museum.

During WW I some 375 Uboats were built, 178 of those were lost in combat. About 5.000 submariners lost their lives. The most famous U-boat of German U-boats in WW I was U 9.

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At the beginning of WW I the efficiency of U-boats was largely unknown. This changed dramatically on the 22nd of September 1914, when U 9 under the command of Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant Commander) Otto Weddigen sank 3 British cruisers within one hour.

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One month after that Weddingen sank another cruiser, becoming the nation´s hero.

On board submarines the flawless teamwork of the crew was the decisive element of the UBoat´s ability to fight.
On board submarines the flawless teamwork of the crew was the decisive element of the UBoat´s ability to fight.

From 1915 onwards the sinking of merchantmen became the U-boat´s most important task. This was considered the key to defeat Britain since the frontlines ashore were frozen.

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At the end of WW I more than 12,000.000 BRT of 6.000 ships were sunk. The most successful Commanding Officer was Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant Commander) Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière.