Stunning photographs show huge World War One German U-Boats washed up on a British beach
Unseen collection shows once fearsome submarines in very different light
THEY once brought Britain to the brink of defeat in the First World War - but these incredible new photos of German U-Boats show them in a very different light.
Previously unseen pics show the submarines wrecked on the coast after hostilities ceased.
They had been surrendered by Germany after the war in 1918 and were on their way to be sunk as gunnery targets.
But stripped of their engines, submarines were difficult to tow and occasionally sank or wrecked on Britain's beaches, as in the case of these in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Historic England decided to mark the 100-year anniversary of Germany's declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare by showing off the newly-acquired images.
The photos were taken in 1921 by the notable naval officer Jack Casement, a relative of the humanitarian activist, Irish nationalist and poet, Sir Roger Casement, on what was probably his last official posting before he retired.
They were donated to the Historic England Archive by Casement's family.
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They are heralded with offering a rare insight into official military business after the conflict, through the eyes of a distinguished veteran of the First World War at sea.
Roger Bowdler, Director of Listing at Historic England said: "The declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare in February 1917 was a decisive moment in the First World War.
"Germany's tactic led to devastating losses for many nations but it also horrified the world.
"It was seen as uncivilised, ungentlemanly and ultimately brought the might of the United States into the war.
"By commemorating this day we can better understand its consequences and remember the many people who lost their lives in this way."
The decision saw German U-boats torpedoing ships without warning, meaning passengers and crew had no chance of escape.
All ships trading with Britain were seen as targets by the Imperial German Navy, including those from neutral countries such as Norway, Denmark and the United States.
The targeting of American ships ultimately brought the United States into the war in April 1917.
During the year 1916, 431 British ships were sunk by German U-boats worldwide but in 1917, following the declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare, that number nearly tripled to 1,263.
The national memorial to submariners has also been upgraded to II* by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
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