What were the German submarines used in World War I known as?

• A. U boats
• B. Type VII
• C. U-boats
• D. Wolfpacks

Answer: (A)

The German submarines used in World War I are widely recognized as "U-boats," which is derived from the German term "Unterseeboot," meaning "undersea boat." This name became synonymous with the submarines' role during the war, as they were primarily deployed for naval warfare and conducting attacks against Allied shipping. The U-boats were instrumental in implementing unrestricted submarine warfare, aiming to disrupt the supply lines of enemy nations. This tactic had significant strategic implications and played a crucial role in shaping naval battles during the conflict.

While "Type VII" refers specifically to a class of U-boats that were primarily used in World War II, and "wolfpacks" describes the coordinated groups of U-boats that attacked convoys, neither term accurately encapsulates the broader categorization of German submarines in World War I as effectively as "U-boats." Additionally, "C. U-boats" is simply a variation in how the term is presented but does not alter the foundational understanding of what these submarines were referred to.