The Limited Role of Submarines in World War I and II: Strategic and Operational Implications

Submarines played a significant but often misunderstood role during World War I and II. While they were extensively used in the Atlantic during World War II, they had a more limited impact in certain theaters and during both wars. This article explores why submarines were not utilized as extensively in the wars, highlighting the strategic and operational implications of their use.

Intensified Use in Specific Theaters

During both World War I and II, submarines were employed in specific theaters with varying degrees of success, though their presence was not as widespread in the Pacific as in the Atlantic.

In the Atlantic during World War II, submarine warfare was intense and led to significant losses for the Allied forces. The German U-boats were responsible for much of this destruction, particularly impacting the critical supply lines maintained by convoys. The British, in response, had to rely on American convoys until December 1941, indicating the scale of the menaces posed by U-boats.

Additionally, U-boats played a crucial role in targeting Arctic convoys supplying the Soviet Union, demonstrating the effectiveness of submarine tactics in maintaining their operations over long distances.

German Dependence on Submarines

Germany heavily relied on their U-boats, particularly in the Atlantic theater, in an effort to disrupt supply lines and starve the Allies. However, the effectiveness of these submarines was limited when opposed by a strong surface fleet and well-protected merchant marine.

Britain, Japan, and the United States, on the other hand, possessed large surface fleets, which led to a situation where submarines were not as indispensable. These nations had robust defenses against submarine attacks, which reduced the potential impact of submarine warfare.

British Strategic Approach in World War I and II

During both World War I and World War II, the Royal Navy utilized submarines extensively in various theaters, including the Eastern Mediterranean and off Norway during WWI, and the Mediterranean during WWII. However, the limited value of submarines was evident in scenarios where opponents either lacked a surface fleet or had a well-protected merchant marine.

For instance, during World War I, the British approach was to limit the use of unrestricted submarine warfare and instead focus on a naval blockade utilizing surface ships for boarding, searching, and impounding cargo. This approach aimed to maintain the principle of international law and avoid the worst-case scenario of unrestricted warfare, where submarines could sink merchant ships without prior warnings or salvaging attempts.

Restricted vs. Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

The British strategy during World War II involved a form of restricted submarine warfare, which was similar to the approach taken during the Falklands conflict. In this strategy, designated restricted areas would be marked where it was unsafe for surfaced vessels but maintained clear endpoints like the Skagerrak or the Japanese economic exclusion zone to allow ships that managed to evade the surface blockade to pass through.

An economic exclusion area was established using surface ships, which was expensive in terms of manpower, ships, and money. Cargo ships received Navicerts to confirm their legitimacy, further adding to the logistical burden. However, the British maintained this approach to uphold international law and humanitarian considerations, offering compensation for impounded ships and refraining from unrestricted warfare measures.

Despite these efforts, instances of suspected blockade runners evading detection and causing concern were reported. For example, neutral ships like Swedish vessels, which had correct paperwork, were allowed to pass through areas like South America unharmed. Similarly, ships from Spain, Portugal, and Vichy France also passed through the Mediterranean past Gibraltar without significant interference, illustrating the complexities and limitations of maintaining a strict blockade.

Conclusion

The limited role of submarines in World War I and II can be attributed to various strategic and operational factors. While submarines were effective in the Atlantic during World War II, their impact was more limited in other theaters due to the presence of strong surface fleets and well-protected merchant marines. The British approach, emphasizing restricted submarine warfare and diplomatic measures, demonstrated a nuanced and strategic use of naval warfare in maintaining international law and humanitarian principles.