Accounts of submarine warfare often favor successful attacks. Those operations produced dramatic reports and marketable books, while patrols that found no convoy left less material for a compelling story. Failed approaches also disappear when escorts blocked a submarine and forced it to withdraw without firing. Such negative cases made up much of the campaign despite their lower visibility. Memorable combat narratives therefore need to be tested against ordinary operational outcomes.
Notable Point · 34:21-34:55
Why histories emphasize successful submarine attacks
Published accounts emphasize successful submarine attacks while failed approaches and uneventful patrols receive less attention, making submarine effectiveness easier to overestimate.