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The Mediterranean Sea

Having stopped unrestricted submarine warfare after sinking the Lusitania in 1915, Germany resumed the policy on January 31, 1917. The campaign peaked in April 1917, and helped bring the United States into the war. Text: U-Bootswirkung im Mittelmeer. 12 Monate uneingeschränkten U-Bootskrieges auf dem Mittelmeer-Kriegsschauplatz Alle durch Minen und vor dem 1. Februar 1917 vernichteten Schiffe sind in dieser Karte nicht enthalten. [symbol] bedeutet ein durch die Tätigkeit unserer U-Boote versenktes Schiff ohne Berücksichtigung seiner Größe. Die Eintragungen der Schiffe entsprechen dem Versenkungsort. "Die wichtigste unmitteilbare militärische Ursache der Italienischen Niederlage wird unwidersprchen in dem Mangel an Munition und schweren Kanonen erblickt: den die Unterseeboote haben die Erz- und Kohlenzufuhr unterbunden." - (New York Times, 4.11.17) Monatsergebnisse der Gesamtversenkungen Februar, 1917, 785,000 Br.-Reg.-T. Marz, 890,000 April, 1,100,000 Mai, 870,000 Juni, 1,020,000 Br.-Reg.-T. Juli, 815,000 August, 810,000 September, 675,000 Oktober, 675,000 Br.-Reg.-T. November, 610,000 Dezember, 705,000 Januar, 635,000 Insgesamt 9,590,000 Br.-Reg.-T. Submarine action in the Mediterranean. Full 12 months U-Boat War in the Mediterranean theater of war All ships destroyed by mines or before February 1, 1917 are not included in this map. [symbol] indicates a ship sunk by the activity of our submarines regardless of its size. The entries of the vessels meet the Versenkungsort. "The most important cause of the indescribable Italian military defeat is indisputably due to the lack of ammunition and heavy guns. The submarines have prevented the supply of ore and coal." - (New York Times, 4:11:17) Monthly breakdown of the total sinkings: February, 1917, 785,000 imperial tons March, 890,000 April, 1,100,000 May, 870,000 June, 1,020,000 imperial tons July, 815,000 August, 810,000 September, 675,000 October, 675,000

Having stopped unrestricted submarine warfare after sinking the Lusitania in 1915, Germany resumed the policy on January 31, 1917. The campaign peaked in April 1917, and helped bring the United States into the war.

Image text

U-Bootswirkung im Mittelmeer.

12 Monate uneingeschränkten

U-Bootskrieges auf dem Mittelmeer-Kriegsschauplatz

Alle durch Minen und vor dem 1. Februar 1917 vernichteten Schiffe sind in dieser Karte nicht enthalten.

[symbol] bedeutet ein durch die Tätigkeit unserer U-Boote versenktes Schiff ohne Berücksichtigung seiner Größe.

Die Eintragungen der Schiffe entsprechen dem Versenkungsort.

"Die wichtigste unmitteilbare militärische Ursache der Italienischen Niederlage wird unwidersprchen in dem Mangel an Munition und schweren Kanonen erblickt: den die Unterseeboote haben die Erz- und Kohlenzufuhr unterbunden." - (New York Times, 4.11.17)

Monatsergebnisse der Gesamtversenkungen

Februar, 1917, 785,000 Br.-Reg.-T.

Marz, 890,000

April, 1,100,000

Mai, 870,000

Juni, 1,020,000 Br.-Reg.-T.

Juli, 815,000

August, 810,000

September, 675,000

Oktober, 675,000 Br.-Reg.-T.

November, 610,000

Dezember, 705,000

Januar, 635,000

Insgesamt 9,590,000 Br.-Reg.-T.



Submarine action in the Mediterranean.

Full 12 months

U-Boat War in the Mediterranean theater of war

All ships destroyed by mines or before February 1, 1917 are not included in this map.

[symbol] indicates a ship sunk by the activity of our submarines regardless of its size.

The entries of the vessels meet the Versenkungsort.

"The most important cause of the indescribable Italian military defeat is indisputably due to the lack of ammunition and heavy guns. The submarines have prevented the supply of ore and coal." - (New York Times, 4:11:17)

Monthly breakdown of the total sinkings:

February, 1917, 785,000 imperial tons

March, 890,000

April, 1,100,000

May, 870,000

June, 1,020,000 imperial tons

July, 815,000

August, 810,000

September, 675,000

October, 675,000 imperial tonnes

November, 610,000

December, 705,000

January, 635,000

A total of 9,590,000 imperial tonnes



Reverse:

Auf Anregung Sr. Majestät des Kaisers

i. Auftr. des Admiralstabes d. Rais. Marine zu Gunsten der S

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The Mediterranean Sea lies between Europe and Africa with Asia and the Middle East on its eastern shore. To the west, the Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the strait of Gibraltar.

As agreed in pre-war Anglo-French war plans, France bore primary responsibility for controlling the Mediterranean. Its major port was Marseilles.

The Austro-Hungarian Navy . . . Both Austro-Hungarian and German submarines were a significant threat to Allied transport in the Mediterranean.

When war began Germany's Mediterannean Squadron of Goeben and Breslau were in the the Sea. Their entry into Turkish waters signaled Turkey's entry into the war.

The Italian navy . . .

The Suez Canal connected the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean and was critical Britain's war effort. Through the Canal passed troops from India, troops to and from Mesopotamia, and oil from Mesopotamia and Persia.

Safe passage in the Mediterranean was critical to the Entente Allies so war efforts on the battle fronts in Gallipoli, the Balkans, and the Palestine/Syria Front.

The Mediterranean Sea is a sea.

A sample pie chart graphic

Some places in The Mediterranean Sea (2)

Click to View Location Type
Adriatic Sea Sea
Aegean Sea Sea