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.

"We risk our lives to bring you food. It's up to you not to waste it."

This poster highlights how the U-Boat campaign significantly affected food supplies in Britain.

This sombre image of a weary merchant sailor seeing bread discarded in the gutter reminded civilians to be frugal with their food, as it had been brought to them by sea and at great risk. German submarines inflicted heavy losses on British merchant shipping in 1917, exacerbating food shortages and leading to further rationing.

Food Production Poster
CWM 19890086-787