Which was more effective: mine-laying submarines or torpedo submarines?
Short answerMine-layers produced greater aggregate disruption and losses, while torpedo attacks more often delivered spectacular individual successes.
NotesMine-laying submarines receive the stronger assessment because of the number of ships their mines sank and the trouble they caused. Torpedo submarines produced the more spectacular individual successes. The Royal Navy's attention to submarine-laid mines before the Second World War reflected how dangerous it considered them. The heavy German emphasis on torpedo submarines is questioned on that basis. Greater prestige attached to sinking an enemy ship with a torpedo, which helps explain the appeal of the more visible attack.