British Submarine Warfare in World War II

Royal Navy submarines fought throughout the Second World War in the North Sea, Atlantic approaches, Mediterranean and Far East. Their tasks included attacking enemy warships and merchant shipping, landing agents and supplies, reconnaissance and supporting wider fleet operations.

The Mediterranean became an especially important theatre, where submarines operating from bases including Malta targeted Axis supply routes to North Africa. The service combined prolonged patrols, cramped conditions and technical risk with the constant threat of mines, aircraft and anti-submarine forces.