The exchange-rate metric divides tonnage sunk by submarines lost, but the average conceals how success was distributed. German totals included a small number of spectacular aces within a force of more than a thousand boats, whereas Italian Atlantic performance was more even across a much smaller arm. Italian boats sank 109 merchant ships totaling about 600,000 gross registered tons for 16 submarine losses. On this comparison, BETASOM achieved a credible campaign without regular access to German-style Wolfpack opportunities.
Notable Point · 40:21-42:20
Italian Atlantic results were broader than a few aces
BETASOM's boats sank 109 merchant ships totaling about 600,000 tons for 16 losses, with success spread more evenly than in the much larger German fleet.