Submarine Warfare in World War II

This lecture will explore the important role performed by submarines in World War II. In the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest and most important battle in the European Theater, German U-Boats came close to forcing the end of the war. But Great Britain, United States and Canada allied themselves to keep the sea lanes open. U.S. Submarines in the Pacific Ocean patrolled widely and were key contributors to the defeat of the Empire of Japan. Both the U.S. and German navies instituted a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, contrary to international law and with far reaching consequences. The discussion will include types of WWII submarines, tactics, missions and strategic importance to the outcome of WWII. (Note: This class was offered in Fall 2022.)

Peter Ranelli, Ph.D., has more than 40 years of experience in oceanography and meteorology. He completed a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, specializing in operational oceanography and meteorology, retiring with the rank of captain. He has extensive experience in underwater systems including autonomous robotic vehicles, underwater acoustics as applied to anti-submarine warfare and communications, physical oceanography and meteorology, oceanographic instrumentation and operational environmental support. He served as the battle group oceanographer for the USS New Jersey (BB-62), the fleet oceanographer for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea and deputy director of ocean and atmospheric sciences at the Naval Research Laboratory. After leaving the Navy, he was the head of applied research at the NATO Undersea Research Centre in Italy. Peter has a master’s degree with distinction in meteorology and oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School and was awarded a secretary of the Navy fellowship to earn a Ph.D. in oceanography from Dartmouth College.