These days nuclear submarines are essential elements of war, but it all began during World War II.
Although U-boats and submarines were in use during World War I, technological advancements allowed them to become the crucial and lethal elements of marine warfare during World War II. See sub crews taking down ships, navigating the depths, and resurfacing to fire lead at the enemy.
Witness the deadly tools of war that lurked beneath the sea.
1
The submarine USS Barb floats in San Francisco Bay near the Mare Island Navy Yard, California.
May 3, 1945
2
U.S. sailors secure the German U-boat U-505 off the coast of Africa.
June 4, 1944
3
USS Apogon’s officers and crew alongside the conning tower as she heads towards dock at Submarine Base 5.
Circa 1940s
4
The launching of U-218 at Kiel, Germany.
1941
5
A merchant ship is sunk by a German U-boat during World War II
Circa 1940s
6
German U-boat U-576 and crew.
1943
7
USS U-3008, formerly the German U-boat U-3008, under way at sea.
April 1948
8
German crew of a U-576 at sea.
1943
9
German crew of U-576 at watch in the conning tower.
1943
10
A depth charge explodes after it had been dropped from HMS Ceylon.
1942
12
HM Submarine Ultimatum setting off from Holy Loch.
1943
13
United Kingdom T-Class Submarine
Circa 1940s
14
Japanese IJN I-201 Submarine
1942
15
German soldiers aiming on top of the U-103 Type VIIB U-boat
1939
