U-boat

A U-boat is a German submarine, particularly used during World War I and World War II. The term "U-boat" comes from the German "Unterseeboot," meaning "undersea boat." These submarines were designed for stealthy attacks on enemy shipping, aiming to disrupt supply lines. U-boats could operate submerged, allowing them to evade surface ships. They played a significant role in naval warfare, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean, where their campaigns targeted merchant vessels, which often led to significant losses for the Allies. Their use marked a crucial evolution in military naval strategy.