109 ships of 593,864 tons in Atlantic
During the Battle of the Atlantic, Italian submarines sank several Allied warships, contributing to a total of approximately 20,000 tons. Notable sinkings included the British destroyers HMS Hurricane and HMS Daring, as well as merchant vessels that supported Allied operations. These actions were part of Italy's broader strategy to disrupt Allied supply lines during World War II. However, the overall impact of Italian submarines in the Atlantic was limited compared to their German counterparts.
The role of submarines during the second world war was primarily the destruction of enemy commerce, and occasionally heavy naval units such as battleships, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. Since the battle of the atlantic was fought primarily against German Submarines which were targeting Allied merchant vessels, there would have been very little point to using submarines.
During World War II, German submarines (U-boats) sank approximately 2,800 Allied ships, totaling around 14 million gross tons. Italian submarines contributed by sinking around 1,300 vessels, amounting to about 3 million gross tons. Together, these submarines played a significant role in disrupting Allied shipping and maritime operations throughout the war.
The Atlantic Theatre was not home to many battles, but there was an abundant population of German submarines with orders to sink any Allied ships or ships going to Britain.
The "wolf pack" was a strategic grouping of German submarines (U-boats) during World War II, whereby more than one German sub might attack the same Allied convoy crossing the Atlantic.
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During WWII, Allied warships used ASDIC (an early, crude form of Sonar), airplanes (some ships carried recoverable seaplanes), and visual lookouts (binoculars) to spot submarines and direct attacking vessels to the contact.
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German U-boats (submarines) that preyed on allied shipping in the Atlantic Ocean.
Despite isolationist resistance, Roosevelt pushed cautiously forward. In late August the Navy added British and Allied ships to its Icelandic convoys. Its orders were to shoot German and Italian warships on sight, making the U.S. an undeclared participant in the Battle of the Atlantic.
The role of submarines during the second world war was primarily the destruction of enemy commerce, and occasionally heavy naval units such as battleships, cruisers, and aircraft carriers. Since the battle of the atlantic was fought primarily against German Submarines which were targeting Allied merchant vessels, there would have been very little point to using submarines.
The Atlantic Theatre was not home to many battles, but there was an abundant population of German submarines with orders to sink any Allied ships or ships going to Britain.
ships or boats
The "wolf pack" was a strategic grouping of German submarines (U-boats) during World War II, whereby more than one German sub might attack the same Allied convoy crossing the Atlantic.
During WWII the Finnish navy operated five small submarines, all designed in the Netherlands (by a Dutch front company) and built in Finland. Between them they sank one Soviet merchant ship and three Soviet submarines. All Finnish subs survived the war.