Battleground 329. Wolfpack: Episode I - The Rise of the Wolfpack (1939–1941)
Sep 30, 2025
Joining the discussion is Roger Moorhouse, a distinguished historian and author known for his deep expertise in U-boat warfare. He explores the dramatic rise of Nazi Germany's U-boat campaign, revealing how the Treaty of Versailles inadvertently set the stage for their rearmament. Moorhouse delves into Admiral Dönitz's wolfpack tactics, recounts the infamous sinking of the SS Athenia, and highlights the initial successes during the 'First Happy Time,' where U-boats wreaked havoc on Allied supply lines with shocking efficiency.
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Clandestine Continuity After Versailles
- Germany preserved submarine expertise and technology despite Versailles through clandestine programs in the interwar years.
- This continuity allowed rapid rebuilding of the U-boat arm once restrictions eased in 1935.
Dönitz's Vision Outstripped Resources
- Dönitz had a clear tonnage-war vision but lacked prioritised resources from German leadership.
- Germany entered war in 1939 with only 27 ocean-going combat U-boats, far too few for sustained Atlantic operations.
Dönitz: Submariner Above Politics
- Dönitz described himself as a submariner to his bones and kept politics at arm's length inside the U-boat arm.
- The service contained both Nazis and anti-Nazis and largely escaped overt political indoctrination.
