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First World War (1914-1918)
The U-Boat Menace

The emergence of the submarine was a major development in naval warfare. German submarine - or U-Boat - attacks against Allied shipping in the Atlantic and in European waters posed a major threat to the Allied war effort.

German Submarine U-118

This postcard shows the surrendered German U-Boat (submarine) U-118 ashore at Hastings, England, in April 1919.

The photograph emphasizes the cylindrical hull of the large, ocean-going, torpedo-armed U-118, its deck gun visible at centre. It also carried mines designed to be laid in the water, where they could sink Allied ships. U-118 had been under tow to a French port when the tow line parted and the U-Boat came adrift, eventually running ashore at Hastings where it drew large crowds.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19780743-009