Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 6:23:21-6:24:53

Could Germany win the Battle of the Atlantic?

Germany came closer to success in World War I than World War II, when Allied production and anti-submarine technology stayed ahead.

Anti-Submarine WarfareBattle of the AtlanticGerman NavySubmarine WarfareWorld War IWorld War II
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Question

Was there a realistic chance Germany could win the Battle of the Atlantic?

Short answer

The First World War offered the closer chance; in the Second, Allied escorts, intelligence, production, and stockpiles made German victory unlikely.

Notes

Germany is judged to have come closer to success in the First World War than in the Second. In World War II, German submarine production remained behind Allied escort production. Improved boats such as the Type XXI would have to enter service in sufficient numbers while facing new anti-submarine mortars and faster escorts. They would still need to find and approach the convoys. Communications traffic analysis and codebreaking would remain problems even for better submarine designs.