U-boat doctrine

U-boat doctrine refers to the strategic principles guiding German submarine warfare, primarily used during World Wars I and II. It focused on disrupting enemy shipping lines by stealthily sinking merchant vessels and warships, thereby hampering the opponent’s ability to resupply and sustain military efforts. U-boat commanders prioritized patrol areas, targeting vulnerable shipping routes, and employed tactics like "wolfpack" attacks with coordinated submarine groups. The doctrine aimed to weaken the enemy’s logistical support gradually while avoiding direct confrontation with larger naval forces, making U-boats a formidable tool of asymmetric warfare designed to threaten crucial maritime supply chains.