The two squadrons loosely grouped as the Eighth Submarine Group lost four boats in the campaign, while four escaped to Bordeaux by sailing around Africa. Perla's voyage required ocean-going range and exposed how difficult it was to withdraw from an isolated theater. Six of the eight boats could be regarded as genuinely ocean-going submarines, and the group contained some of the flotilla's most modern and potentially useful vessels. Their machinery reflected rapidly evolving submarine technology, so sophisticated components imposed demanding maintenance needs that Massawa could not reliably meet.
Chapter · 22:29-25:27
The Eighth Submarine Group combined capable boats with severe losses
The Red Sea submarines included genuine ocean-going capability, but four boats were lost while four survivors escaped around Africa.