Germany fought its wars during World War II in an environment of rapidly changing technology. German submarines equipped with cutting-edge technology faced the Allies fleets constantly. These submarines, which were referred to as U-Boats, would be used to attack Great Britain's soft underbelly. As a result, the battle between the Allied fleets and the German submarine navy is one of the most important examples of WW2 technology.
The German navy was not in good shape when World War II broke out in September 1939. The Germans had only 24 warships, which was less than half the number that Great Britain had. It was also hard for the German navy, which had to break through British sieges of German ports. The British owned over 300 ships. They had ports around all of the world. They also held the title of having the largest naval fleet. The Germans also had large numbers of tanks. During the first few years of the war, they expanded their tank forces. They had six armoured divisions, which consisted of 2,400 tanks. These divisions were very well trained for maneuvers. They were also considered to have the strongest European divisions.
There were many technological issues that plagued the German navy. The torpedo fuses, for example, were sensitive to high pressure. The German navy did have no efficient way to detect enemy submarines. This was a significant problem for the German navy, which wanted to break through British control of German harbours. In 1939, Karl Donitz, a high-ranking officer in the German navy, took charge of the entire U-Boat flotilla. His aim was to raise morale for his crews. He directed them to travel only at night. They were still in danger every week.
A B24 Liberator airplane was another significant innovation. This aircraft came equipped with a Radar which enabled it to target and detect targets. It also enabled its crews communication with its commanders on the shore. Thus, the Liberator aircraft was one of the most successful in wartime. This aircraft could penetrate American defenses and destroy strategic targets.
German scientists also discovered the process for nuclear fission. They were particularly interested and curious about the Germans' knowledge. During wartime, they were also involved in research in this area. This technology was also being developed by other physicists. They were also interested to know if the weapons in Germany's arsenal could be used against the Japanese.
Another significant technological innovation was collapsible piping, which allowed a submarine air to be sucked in for a Diesel engine. This innovation was extremely useful for German submarines. However, it wasn't widely implemented.
Enigma was also used by the German navy as an encryption device. This system consisted a network made up of disks and gears. Many believed that this system was impossible to break. The German navy was defeated in the technological arms race. This was because the Germans couldn't produce these innovations in large numbers.