Q&A ยท 1:08:25-1:09:18

Germany's submarine and capital-ship trade-off

A hypothetical German naval programme shows how submarines and battleships would compete for finite industrial and political resources.

Question

If Germany accelerated its capital-ship programme, would the logistical burden prevent it from mounting a submarine campaign as well?

Short answer

Probably: Germany would struggle to accelerate submarines and capital ships at the same time, and political interests would decide which programme received priority.

Notes

The choice turns on finite resources: Germany may be unable to accelerate a submarine campaign while also building its desired capital ships. Admiral Henning von Holtzendorff would probably favour submarines, while the Kaiser would prefer battleships. The army might support the battleship programme because it would keep naval resources and attention away from army affairs. Industrial limits, personal preferences, and inter-service politics would shape the programme alongside technical considerations.