U-Boats at the Cape - South Africa’s Naval Front in World War II

Few people think of South Africa when discussing World War II at sea, but its waters played a crucial role in the global conflict. Historian Evert Kleynhans returns to Underground Strategy to uncover the forgotten story of submarine warfare, coastal defenses, and strategic shipping routes off South Africa’s coast.

We explore how German U-boats and Axis surface raiders operated in the region, why the Cape of Good Hope was so strategically important, and how South Africa’s naval defenses evolved to meet the threat.

From signals intelligence and convoy protection to the successes and failures of anti-submarine warfare, this episode sheds light on a rarely discussed front of World War II.

Evert also shares insights from his book on South Africa’s naval war, the challenges of researching this overlooked history, and why these lessons still matter today.

Evert Kleynhans’ Work

The Naval War in South African Waters - https://amzn.to/3DuZJ50

Hitler’s South African Spies - https://amzn.to/43u79jp

The Second World War in East Africa - https://amzn.to/41zapre

20 Battles: Searching for a South African Way of War - https://amzn.to/4iwE4rW

Navigating the New Terrain of Military Operations (Pre Order) - https://amzn.to/3DgrrT7

The Handbook of African Defence and Armed Forces (Pre Order) - https://amzn.to/4ivILlM

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