U-boat (World War II context)

A U-boat is a German submarine used during World War II to attack enemy ships, especially those supplying Britain and the Allies. The term "U-boat" is derived from the German "Unterseeboot," meaning "undersea boat." U-boats played a crucial role in naval warfare by stealthily patrolling the Atlantic, sinking hundreds of merchant and military vessels to disrupt supply lines. They employed torpedoes and advanced tactics to evade detection. Their presence challenged Allied maritime control, prompting innovations in anti-submarine warfare. U-boats significantly impacted the naval dynamics of WWII, highlighting the strategic importance of underwater warfare.