History's Deadliest Submarine: the Fearsome SM U-35

Editorial Summary

The video explores the history of the SM U-35, a German submarine from the First World War that is identified as the most successful undersea hunter of all time. While many associate submarine dominance with the Second World War, the creator explains that the U-35 achieved unprecedented results nearly twenty years earlier. The narrative details the technical specifications of the U-31 class, noting their diesel engines and electric motors, and describes how shifting combat doctrines moved the vessel away from cruiser rules toward more lethal tactics. The creator highlights the impact of two primary commanders: Captain Voldemar Cop helm, who oversaw early successes including the sinking of the SS Californian, and Captain Loar Von de Perier. Under de Perier, the submarine achieved massive kill counts, including a single patrol that sank fifty-four ships. The video concludes by noting that the U-35 sank a total of 220 ships, totaling over 551,000 gross registered tons, a record that remains unchallenged by any other single submarine in history.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.