The Effects of World War II Submarine Campaigns of Germany and the United States; A Comparative Analysis
Abstract
The effectiveness of the German and United States submarine campaigns during World War II is compared by analyzing the genesis of each campaign, the commitment to each and the effort to overcome the losses imposed by submarine warfare. This comparison highlights one aspect of the strategic and operational consequences of conflict with an adversary able to build and maintain a superior industrial base in support of the military effort. This analysis places primary focus on German U-boat efforts in the Battle of the Atlantic and the U.S. submarine efforts in the Western Pacific. Ultimately, the overriding factor in the outcomes of both campaigns was the ability of the United States to produce more ships than the Germans could sink, to build more submarines than the Japanese could sink, and to sink more Japanese ships than the Japanese could build. As a result, the United States was able to sustain its total military effort against Germany; Japan was not able to sustain its efforts in the Pacific. Effect of the WWII submarine campaigns of Germany and the U.S. - comparative analysis
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA283407
Entities
People
- G. H. Pearsall
Organizations
- Naval War College