U-tanker

German military ship

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

A U-tanker was a German U-boat that was converted to supply fuel, torpedoes, and other necessities to other U-boats operating in remote waters. These U-tankers were developed in 1942 during World War II, a period when German U-boats were particularly successful in sinking Allied shipping. The U-boats, meaning "undersea boat," were German submarines that played a significant role in both World War I and World War II by attacking enemy shipping. Despite initial successes, Allied countermeasures such as convoys, improved anti-submarine warfare tactics, and technological advancements eventually diminished the effectiveness of U-boat campaigns.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

World War II
The Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the North Sea, 1942–45
Second, U-tankers were developed; i.e., large converted U-boats equipped to provide fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies to U-boats operating in remote waters. In the course of 1942, the U-boats sank more than 6,266,000 tons of shipping; and, since in the same period their operational strength rose…
Read More
Second, U-tankers were developed; i.e., large converted U-boats equipped to provide fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies to U-boats operating in remote waters. In the course of 1942, the U-boats sank more than 6,266,000 tons of shipping; and, since in the same period their operational strength rose…
Read More