The U-boat: The Evolution and Technical History of German SubmarinesGerman U-boats came close to winning World War I in 1917 and managed to repeat this performance in World War II. Yet, as Eberhard Rossler reveals, Germany was a late-comer to submarine construction and only embarked on the U-boat programme a few years before 1914. German designers were able to benefit from the hard-won experience of other navies. German industry could provide first-class diesel engines and reliable electrical components, so it was not long before German yards were completing submarines equal if not superior to any in the world. |
