1939 ⟶ Dönitz Relaxes U-Boat Prize Rules, Orders Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

The Führer der Unterseeboote Karl Dönitz greatly relaxes pri...

Year

1939

1940

1945

🤿 Dönitz Relaxes U-Boat Prize Rules, Orders Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

The Führer der Unterseeboote Karl Dönitz greatly relaxes prize rules ordering the sinking without warning of merchant ships that send signals by radio and the attack on smaller Allied passenger ships. He also opens the war on French shipping.⟶

GermanyU-boatsSubmarine WarfareKarl DönitzAtlanticWar at SeaMerchant ShipsWorld War IIUnrestricted Warfare

🇩🇪 German U-boats Ordered to Attack British Ships

German authorities order U-boats to immediately take action against all British ships, but sparing French ships and in strict observance of prize rules.⟶

GermanyU-boatsNaval WarfareAtlantic OceanWorld War IIWar DeclarationSubmarine Warfare

⚓ British Sink U-39, First U-Boat Sinking of the War

British Destroyers escorting the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal sink the U-39 after the U-boat's attack against the carrier failed. It was the first sinking of a German U-boat in WW II.⟶

UKGermanyNavyU-BoatAtlanticWarfareWorld War IISubmarine Warfare

⚓ Raeder Orders Unrestricted U-boat Warfare

The Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy Grossadmiral Erich Raeder orders his U-boats to sink without warning all Allied merchant ships.⟶

GermanyU-boatnaval warfareAtlanticmerchant shipsunrestricted warfareKriegsmarineRaederwar crime

🚢 Hitler Orders Unrestricted Submarine Warfare

Hitler orders unrestricted submarine warfare.⟶

GermanySubmarine WarfareU-boatsAtlanticWar at SeaUnrestricted WarfareAllied Shipping

🤿 Dönitz Orders U-boats to Cease Operations

Karl Dönitz orders all U-boats to cease operations.⟶

U-boatsGerman NavySurrenderAtlanticNaval WarfareWWIIKarl DönitzSubmarinesEnd of War