Submarine front: the best submarines of WWII

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

During World War II, fierce battles were fought not only on land, in the air and on water, but also under it. Combat submarines carried a tremendous danger to the enemy fleet. It was a big mistake to underestimate the power and potential of submarines, which were ideal vehicles of war.

1. Submarines type "T", UK

The "T" (Triton Class) combat submarines have been manufactured in Great Britain since the mid-1930s. A total of 53 submarines were built, all of which took an active part in the Second World War. The Tritons had no equal in terms of combat power among all WWII submarines. The mere mention of it aroused fear among the sailors. An 11 torpedo salvo could easily sink an enemy military cruiser. In the frightening bow superstructure, there were several more torpedo tubes and machine guns.

The British were among the first to equip the Tritons with the latest ASDIC sonars. During the war, British submarines have come a long way in combat and won several dozen victories. The Tritons launched an active activity in the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean Sea, and sank several Japanese cruisers in the Pacific Ocean. Two T-class submarines near Murmansk destroyed four enemy ships with thousands of soldiers on board. After the war, the Tritons were in service with the British Navy until the 1970s.

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2. Submarines of the "Gato" type, USA

American Gato-class submarines entered the war in 1944 and caused a lot of trouble for the Japanese in the Pacific Fleet. "Gato" tightly blocked most of the sea approaches, supply lines and communications, in fact, leaving the Japanese army without reinforcements, and the country without normal industry. In fierce battles with American submarines, the imperial fleet lost two aircraft carriers, several cruisers and a couple of dozen destroyers.

The boats named after the shark species had good driving characteristics and powerful weapons. The Gato had 10 torpedo tubes and the latest radio equipment. The huge autonomy of navigation made it possible to fly from a military base in Hawaii to the Japanese coast without refueling. It was thanks to the power of the Gato-class submarines that the Americans were able to win in the Pacific.

3. Submarines of type "VII", Germany

One of the most massive military submarines not only during WWII, but in the entire history of the submarine fleet. From 1935 to 1945, 703 examples of the "VII" type submarine were built. This submarine can rightfully be called the most efficient warship in history. "Sevens" destroyed everything: aircraft carriers, cruisers, Lincolns, destroyers, oil tankers and even enemy aircraft. The damage from German U-bots was unheard of. If the United States did not partially compensate for the losses of the allies, then the German G7s would have a very real chance to suppress the British and Soviet fleets and change the course of the war.

The success of the German serial submarines was simple - the relative cheapness, simplicity of design, but at the same time excellent weapons and mass character. According to statistics, at the beginning of the war, there was on average one anti-submarine ship for one German "seven", so they felt themselves practically invulnerable masters of the ocean. The situation changed radically when Germany's opponents realized the full power of the German submarine fleet and began to massively create their own submarines.

4. Boats of the "Average" type, Soviet Union

Submarines of type "C", "Srednaya" or "Stalinets" - the general name for a series of Soviet submarines, developed from 1936 to 1948. In total, during the Second World War, 30 class "C" boats were used, but even this relatively small number of combat vehicles managed to sink many enemy ships. On account of "Esok" 19 destroyed ships, 7 warships and 1 German submarine.

In total, there were six torpedo launchers on board and the same number of spare guns on the side racks, two blasting guns and several machine guns. The Eski were also distinguished by their good seaworthiness. On the surface, the submarine could reach a speed of 20 knots, allowing it to overtake almost any enemy convoy.

5. "Babies", Soviet Union

At the height of the war, the USSR required an immediate strengthening of the Pacific Fleet. For these purposes, about a hundred combat mini-submarines of the "M" or "Baby" series were built, which could easily be transported through the country by train. Despite the small size and relatively weak armament (two torpedo tubes), the "Malyutki" possessed a rapid diving system and, with skillful command, could sink any submarine of the Third Reich.

On the other hand, according to the submariners, service on the Malyutki was a real nightmare. Extremely difficult living conditions, limited space, constant "bumpiness". Not every sailor could withstand such a psychological and physical test. The slightest malfunction on board the submarine in most cases threatened the death of the entire crew. Nevertheless, during the Second World War, submarines of the "M" series sank 61 enemy ships and 10 warships.