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.

The Return of U-9

This German print depicts celebrations surrounding the return to base of the German submarine U-9 after it sank three British warships in the North Sea.

U-9 sank the cruisers HMS Aboukir, HMS Cressy, and HMS Hogue on the morning of 22 September 1914, killing more than 1,400 British sailors. The attack, which took place in the waters between England and the Netherlands, was a clear warning to Allied navies that U-Boats posed a serious threat, even to large, well-armed warships.

The Return of U-9
Print by Willy Stower
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19910216-088