These results, which constitute recognizable part of the general victory, were achieved notwithstanding the fact that the numbers of U-boats in commission were maintain. ed by new building at about 200. The ever-increasing efficiency of the Anti-Submarine Organization during 1918 also mastered the mine-laying tactics of the U-boats.
Closer ce-operation between the British Intelligence and Minesweeping Divisions, the rapid distribution of news, the firmer control of shipping and the use of the "Otter". (a species of submerged wire-cutter towed on both bows for cutting the mooring ropes of mines) all played their part.
One hundred and twenty-three British merchant ships had been sunk by German mines in 1917. In 1918 this number was reduced to ten. All other anti-submarine devices were developed with ceaseless ingenuity.
The final phase of the U-boat war saw the roles of the combatants reversed. It was the U-boat and not the merchant ship that was hunted, In these latter days a Flanders U-boat could hope for only six voyages before meeting its dark doom. The unceasing presentiment of a sudden and frightful death beyond human sight or succour, the shuddering concussions of the depth charges, the continual attacks of escort vessels, the fear of annihilation at any moment from mines, the repeated hairs-breadth escapes, produced a state of nervous tension in the U-boat crews.
Their original high morale declined rapidly during 1918 under an intolerable strain.
By the middle of 1918 the submarine campaign had been definitely defeated: and though new U-boats replaced those destroyed, every month added to their perils, to the restriction of their depredations and to the demoralisation of their crews.
The weapon purchased so dearly by the German war leaders had first been blunted and then broken in their hands. It remained for them only to pay the price, and meet the fury f the world in arms.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.