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Comparing German commerce raiding across two wars

German commerce raiding is judged more effective in the First World War, despite notable achievements in the second conflict.

Commerce Raiding Kriegsmarine Naval Strategy World War I World War II

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Question

Was German commerce raiding more effective in the First or Second World War?

Short answer

The First World War, although German raiders still achieved notable successes in the Second.

Notes

German commerce raiding is judged more effective in the First World War. Raiders achieved striking results in the Second World War, but those successes are not treated as strategically superior. The comparison shows how submarine and surface-raiding pressure changed between the wars.