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Is there a way to beat Great Britain with submarines?

I have employed a Russia-first strategy. Now it's 1917, Serbia, Russia and Romania have surrendered and I use most of my resources to build U-Boats in an effort to drive GB out of the war. Unfortunately, even using unlimited U-Boat warfare, my numerous submarines are very inefficient. In several seasons they have not managed to sink a single ship, even though they have damaged dozens of destroyers and cargo ships (which I think is very unrealistic - even when hit by just one torpedo many destroyers and cargo ships will sink).

Is there anything I can do or am I just wasting time and resources?

In my very first game Britian surrendered; but more due to battlefront losses (and blind stinking luck) than U-boat warfare. If you wage unrestricted U-boat warfare and pound through the lowlands hitting the British their morale will drop and they can be defeated. It's harder than France, that's for sure.

From what I have seen, Great Britian depends on shipping for food as they do not produce enough locally. Like any other nation, if the food drops below zero on a given turn, morale takes a hit. Submarine warfare is aboout the only way to hit the British food supplies.

Food is one of three factors that I have seen drive countries morale down and force them out of the war. The other two are battlefield casualties and the loss of cities. You could try to conentrate on the British units and possibly see if you can take Suez if its not well garrisoned. This may hurt the British in addition to any damage from food shortage. You probably want to check to see what their current morale status is, if they are still at excellent, you may be to far into the game to drive them out.

In 1917 you may also be running into the downside of the technology race as the allies may have one or two levels of ASW research completed by now, which makes it harder for your subs.

All in all, I have usually had more success driving France and Russia out of the war. I think I have had Britian bow out once; Russia many times; France and Italy a few times each.