Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 49:03-50:03

U-class submarines linked Malta patrols with early special operations

An early special-boat mission shows how Malta's U-class boats combined covert landing work with attacks on Italian shipping.

MaltaMediterranean TheatreSpecial Boat ServiceSubmarine WarfareU Class Submarines
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What is a favorite operational story about the British U-class submarines?

Short answer

One boat inserted early Special Boat Service personnel for demolition work and attacked Italian warships while returning from the mission.

Notes

The featured patrol delivered two special operators to demolish a tunnel. After recovering them, the submarine attacked enemy warships during its withdrawal. Covert insertion and conventional submarine warfare therefore appeared in the same operation. That range of work helps explain why the small U class achieved such varied results from Malta.