Wolves and Raiders
How the Kriegsmarine's Approach to Naval Warfare Challenged Allied Supremacy in the Atlantic
During The Second World War, Germany had a well-organized and advanced naval force (although one which was notably smaller than many of its rivals), which played a key role, particularly during the Battle of the Atlantic.
The German Navy was divided into two main sections: the Kriegsmarine, which consisted of surface vessels, and the U-boat arm, which was responsible for submarine warfare. The
German naval doctrines, strategy and tactics were crucial in achieving their initial success in the early stages of the war.
At the beginning of the conflict, the German Navy's primary goal was to protect its coastline and maintain the blockade against Great Britain. Their strategy focused on using submarines and surface vessels to target Allied shipping and starve Britain into submission. The German Navy's tactics were centred on the use of the U-boat arm, which employed the "wolf pack" tactic to attack Allied convoys.
German surface raiders, also known as commerce raiders, were naval vessels that were designed and equipped to disrupt Allied shipping during The Second World War. These ships were armed with guns, torpedoes, and mines and were equipped with the ability to operate for extended periods of time without resupply from the shore.
The Admiral Graf Spee was a powerful ‘Pocket Battleship’ that was responsible for sinking numerous Allied ships in the South Atlantic before being forced to scuttle itself in Montevideo harbor in December 1939. Another well-known example of a German surface raider was the Kormoran. The Kormoran was a merchant raider that sank or captured 11 Allied ships before being engaged and sunk by the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney in November 1941.
The German surface raiders were a significant threat to Allied shipping during The Second World War. They caused significant losses to the Allies, particularly in the early stages of the war when the Allies were struggling to protect their shipping lanes. However, as the war progressed, the Allies were able to develop tactics and technologies that made it more difficult for the German surface raiders to operate effectively.
In 1941, Germany's naval strategy shifted with the invasion of the Soviet Union. The Kriegsmarine was tasked with supporting the land operations by securing the Baltic Sea and providing naval gunfire support to ground troops. The German Navy faced significant challenges during the operation due to the harsh weather conditions and the Soviet Navy's unexpected resistance.
By 1942, the German Navy's focus had shifted once again with the entry of the United States into the war. The Kriegsmarine was tasked with disrupting Allied shipping and preventing supplies from reaching Europe. The German Navy's tactics were adjusted to focus on individual U-boat operations rather than the "wolf pack" tactic, which had proven less effective against Allied convoy escorts.
Admiral Karl Dönitz was the most well-known of the high-ranking German naval commanders (and who would briefly act as Fuhrer of Germany in 1945 after Hitlers death), and had been appointed as commander of the U-boat arm in 1939. Dönitz played a significant role in developing and implementing the "wolf pack" tactic, which was responsible for sinking numerous Allied vessels during the early stages of the war. However, the tactic's effectiveness diminished as Allied convoy escorts became more effective and technological advancements allowed for improved detection of U-boats.
Despite initial success, the German Navy faced significant challenges during the war, including Allied technological advancements and the lack of resources compared to the Allies. By the latter stages of the war, the German Navy was largely restricted to defensive operations and was unable to launch any significant offensive operations.