U-boats were naval submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars. The term is an anglicized version of the German word U-Boot [ˈuːboːt] ⓘ, a shortening of Unterseeboot (under-sea boat), though the German term refers to any submarine. Austro-Hungarian Navy submarines were also known as U-boats.

Feb 5, 2025 · U-boat, (“undersea boat”), a German submarine. The destruction of enemy shipping by German U-boats was a spectacular feature of both World Wars I and II. Germany was the first country to employ submarines in war as substitutes for surface commerce raiders.

This list contains the 5 most successful German U-boats during the First World War based on total tonnage. Only sunk commercial vessels are included, not military nor damaged ships.

Feb 12, 2019 · In 1939, when the Second World War broke out, Germany had only managed to construct 57 U-boats, but these new U-boats were far sturdier and more technologically advanced than their WWI predecessors, featuring heat-seeking torpedoes, large …

Mar 21, 2022 · These U-boats (an abbreviation of Unterseeboot, the German word for “undersea boat”) prowled the oceans in search of prey and could attack ships 20 times their size from both above and below...

On this site you will find all the German U-boats of both World Wars, their commanding officers and operations including all Allied ships attacked, technological information and much more. You can also browse our large photo gallery and thousands of U-boat books and movies.

This section contain technical details on all the German U-boat types; Builders, Werk numbers, Order dates and detailed drawings of all types, and many other interesting details. The former type XXI boat U-2540, now a museum at Bremerhaven.

Welcome to the German U-boat-Museum, an institution highly regarded by visitors and international experts. It is composed mainly of the U-boat-Archive and a collection of U-boat exhibits.

On the following pages we would like to introduce the Deutsches U-Boot Museum in Cuxhaven-Altenbruch, Germany (see their site). We believe this is the most comprehensive and also most competent source for the German U-boat history anywhere in the world.

May 31, 2014 · Those visiting Kiel, Germany can board and tour the U-995, a completely intact Type VIIC/41 U-boat. From September of 1943 to the end of the war, the 220-foot vessel conducted several patrols, sinking a total of nine enemy ships, including two warships.