Operation Neuland

Operation Neuland
Part of the Atlantic Campaign of World War II
Date16 February – late March 1942
Location
Result German - Italian victory
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Karl Dönitz
Romolo Polacchini
John H. Hoover
Strength
11 submarines
Casualties and losses
  • Casualties
  • 1 killed
  • 1 wounded
  • Losses
  • 1 submarine damaged
  • Losses
  • 45 cargo ships sunk
  • 1 lighthouse tender sunk
  • 10 cargo ships damaged

Operation Neuland (New Land) was the code name of the Kriegsmarine extension of unrestricted submarine warfare into the Caribbean Sea during World War II. U-boats demonstrated range to disrupt United Kingdom petroleum supplies and United States aluminum supplies which had not been anticipated by Allied pre-war planning. Although the area remained vulnerable to submarines for several months, U-boats never again enjoyed the opportunities for success resulting from the surprise of this operation.