Germany fought its wars during World War II in an environment of rapidly changing technology. The Allied fleets were constantly faced with German submarines that were equipped with cutting-edge technology. These submarines, which were referred to as U-Boats, would be used to attack Great Britain's soft underbelly. The Battle of the Allied Fleets vs the German Submarine Navy is one example of WW2 technology that is most notable.
When World War II began in September 1939, the German navy was in poor condition. The Germans had just 24 warships compared to the 62 that Great Britain had. It was also very difficult for the German navy and navy to break through British control of German ports. The British had over 300 ships. They had many ports around the world. They had the world's largest navy fleet. A large number of German tanks was also available. They expanded their tank force in the first years of war. They had six armoured Divisions that consisted of 2,400 tankers. These divisions were very well equipped for maneuvers. They were also regarded as the strongest in Europe.
Numerous technological problems plagued the German navy. Torpedofuses were extremely sensitive to high levels of pressure, for instance. A German navy had no effective way to detect enemy submarines. This was a major problem, as the German navy wanted the British to abandon their hold on German harbors. Karl Donitz was a senior officer in the German navy who took over the whole U-Boat flotilla in 1939. He wanted to increase the morale among his crews. He made them travel under night cover. Every week, however, they were still exposed to grave dangers.
Another important innovation was the B24 Liberator plane. This aircraft was equipped with a Radar that allowed it detect and attack targets. It also allowed the crews of the Liberator to communicate with its commanders at sea. Thus, the Liberator aircraft was one of the most successful in wartime. This aircraft could penetrate American defenses, and destroy strategic targets.
German scientists were also the first to discover nuclear fission. They were especially interested in the Germans' knowledge of this process. During World War II, they also participated in research in this area. The technology was also studied by other physicists. They were also interested about the weapons that the German army could use against the Japanese.
The collapsible gas pipe, another technological breakthrough, allowed submarines to sucker air in for a diesel-powered engine. This new technology was very useful for German submarines. It was not widely used.
Enigma was also a German navy encryption device. The Enigma system was made up of a series of gears and disks. Many believed that the system was impossible to break. In the end, the German navy lost in the technological arms races. This was due in part to the fact the Germans could never produce these innovations mass-produced.