This account of the U-boat campaign in the World War I represents the official British history of the war against the German submarine attack on shipping. From a few fragile craft, the U-boats grew to become the greatest menace to Britain's survival.

This work is a landmark history of submarine warfare during World War I. An-ex submariner, the author captures the essence of what is what like to operate in these new and lethal craft. This periscope eye view introduces the reader to the great submarine commanders, the tactics they employed and the often-futile attempts made to sink them.

A history of Germany’s usage of submarine warfare during World War I, by the author of Operation Pacific. In 1914, U-Boats were a new and untried weapon, and when such a weapon can bring a mighty empire to the brink of defeat there is a story worth telling. Edwyn Gray’s The U-Boat War is the history of the Kaiser’s attempt to destroy the British Empire by a ruthless campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare. It opens with Germany’s first tentative experiments with the submarines and climaxes with the naval mutiny that helped bring down the Kaiser. In between is a detailed account of a campaign of terror which, by April, 1917, had the British Empire on the verge of surrender. The cost in lives and equipment was staggering. On the German side, 4,894 sailors and 515 officers lost their lives in action; 178 German Submarines were destroyed by the allies; 14 were scuttled and 122 surrendered. According to the most reliable sources, 5,708 ships were destroyed by the U-Boats and 13,333 non-combatants perished in British Ships. World figures for civilian casualties were never released. The U-Boat War is a savage but thrilling account of men fighting for their lives beneath the sea, and of the boats that changed the face of naval warfare.

Originally published in 1970 and out of print for nearly thirty years, this book has already earned its place as a classic of submarine history by an author with an international reputation for being second-to-none in evoking the claustrophobic horror of war beneath the waves. Accurate in detail, yet written with humanity and humour, it tells the story of Britains pioneer submarines during the 1914-1918 War during which their crews battled courageously in atrocious conditions against a skilled and ruthless enemy and an equally unforgiving sea.2001 marks the centenary of Britains Submarine Service introduced into the Royal Navy in the face of opposition from virtually every flag officer in the fleet. The dedicated enthusiasts who made up their crews were derided as members of The Trade but they fought the Edwardian Naval Establishment as fiercely as they were later to fight the enemy; And Victory was their reward on both occasions. Freshly illustrated, this second edition is a timely tribute to the gallant pioneers who created the legacy of dogged courage, determination, and standards of excellence which remain the proud hallmarks of the Royal Navys submarine service today.

Vice Admiral Andreas Michelsen¿s work details the submarine war as experienced by a senior officer, (Commander of Submarines from 1917 on), responsible for implementing the orders and policies created by those far removed from actual combat conditions. As a professional military man he evaluates and critiques from the point of view of naval officer, and not a statesman or diplomat. Michelsen served ably in his senior command roles. He commanded the torpedo boat raids on The Dover Patrol when leader of torpedoboats. He brought the same exacting nature in his tenure as commander of submarines. The detail in the text is rigorous as are the views. The chaotic workings of naval aspects of German ware making policy are detailed. He delves into the condition of submarine warfare as understood prior to the war, commencement and the ebb and flow of policy as the war progressed. The military accomplishments and fighting tactics of German submarines, his view of Allied anti-submarine efforts, the growth and training of the submarine branch, and the reasons for failing to achieve victory. The work is a polemic as Michelsen grapples with Germany¿s defeat and virtual destruction of his navy and overwhelming changes occurring to Germany. It is a valuable work; having been translated by Allied Naval Intelligence for study by professionals. A fitting title for inclusion in the Great War at Sea series. Footnotes have been added to clarify information which is now obscure and correct errors due to contemporary research.

This is the story of the development by the British of a primitive, unreliable and highly dangerous contraption, turning it into a formidable fighting machine. Edwyn Gray describes the inception and early days of the Submarine Service, its struggle against the naval bureaucracy and political machinations, its experiments with early submarines, the terrible disasters it suffered and the dramatic successes it achieved. Above all, he brings to life the men who took the risks in these fragile boats and whose courage and endurance enabled the to smash German shipping to help make the strategic blockade of Germany a success. --from back cover.