Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 35:41-36:10

Commerce raiding and its strategic limits

A short exchange separates the disruptive value of U-boat commerce raiding from the unrealistic goal of starving Britain out of the war.

Battle of the AtlanticCommerce RaidingNaval StrategySubmarinesWorld War II
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Question

Could Germany win the naval war through pure commerce raiding?

Short answer

No. U-boats could divert British resources and inflict early losses, but starving Britain out of the war was an unrealistic objective.

Notes

Pure commerce raiding was a strategy chosen from naval weakness. U-boats could force Britain to spend on escorts, patrols, intelligence, and convoy protection, so the campaign imposed costs even without winning outright. Germany's best chance would require better technology, a large force concealed until war, and heavy losses inflicted before Britain adjusted. The exchange still treats starving Britain out of the war as unrealistic.