The S-class was a smaller submarine intended for Mediterranean work instead of long-range Pacific patrols. The wartime 'Twelve Little S-Boats' rhyme records the attrition among the original group, nine of which were lost. In the Mediterranean, aircraft could search almost anywhere, while escorts, minefields, and other anti-submarine patrols narrowed the safe operating space. That threat environment is part of any fair assessment of what the boats and their crews achieved.
Notable Point · 25:39-28:23
S-class boats in the Mediterranean danger zone
The smaller S-class was suited to the Mediterranean, but its crews faced aircraft, escorts, minefields, and severe attrition.