What was special about the U-boat?
The Germans’ most formidable naval weapon was the U-boat, a submarine far more sophisticated than those built by other nations at the time. The typical U-boat was 214 feet long, carried 35 men and 12 torpedoes, and could travel underwater for two hours at a time.
What are modern German submarines called?
U-boats
listen), 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.
Why are German submarines called U-boats?
U-boat is an abbreviation of the German word ”Unterseeboot” (meaning ”submarine” or ”under the sea boat”). The German navy launched large-scale submarine offensives in both World Wars. The letter ”U” inU-boats is from the German ”unter”, meaning ”under”.
What is the difference between a U-boat and a German submarine?
U-boat is an anglicised version of the German word U-Boot [ˈuːboːt] ( listen), a shortening of Unterseeboot. While the German term refers to any submarine, the English one (in common with several other languages) refers specifically to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars.
What was the purpose of the you boats in WW1?
U-boat, German U-boot, abbreviation of Unterseeboot, (“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. World War I. Germany was the first country to employ submarines in war as substitutes for surface commerce raiders.
Why did the United States oppose the use of the U-boats?
The U.S. reiterated its objections to German submarine warfare whenever U.S. civilians died as a result of German attacks, which prompted the Germans to fully reapply prize rules. This, however, removed the effectiveness of the U-boat fleet, and the Germans consequently sought a decisive surface action,…
Who are the actors in the movie U-boat?
During World War II, an American destroyer discovers a German U-boat, thus ensuing in a deadly duel between the two ships. The American Captain must draw upon all his experience to defeat the equally experienced German commander. Director: Dick Powell | Stars: Robert Mitchum, Curd Jürgens, David Hedison, Theodore Bikel