The British Innovations and Misconceptions in Anti-Submarine Warfare During World War II: Hedgehogs and Beyond

Introduction to the Myth: Hedgehogs for Trench Warfare

Have you heard about the myth of using hedgehogs against German submarines during World War II? This peculiar notion was based on the idea of releasing thousands of starving hedgehogs that were raised on a carnivore diet near German trench lines. The rationale was that the hedgehogs would devour submarines from the feet up, driven by their insatiable appetite for leather. While this may sound like a whimsical and far-fetched idea, it actually has some historical basis rooted in British ingenuity and military strategy.

True Innovations in Anti-Submarine Warfare: Hedgehogs and Beyond

Contrary to the myth of trench warfare, the Royal Navy, United States Navy, U.S. Coastguard, and Royal Canadian Navy did indeed use a weapon called Hedgehog against U-boats. The Hedgehog was a British invention, created by the Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development during World War II. It was highly effective, entering service in 1942 and consisting of a launcher with 24 spigot mortars. These mortars fired projectiles ahead of a ship, allowing for attacks while maintaining sonar contact with submarines.

Understanding the Hedgehog Weapon

Each Hedgehog projectile weighed 65 pounds and contained a powerful 35-pound Torpex explosive. According to military experts, a single or two hits from these projectiles were often sufficient to sink a U-boat. The Hedgehog had a range of about 275 yards and sank at a rate of 23.5 feet per second. The design minimized disturbance to sonar operations, significantly improving attack accuracy compared to traditional depth charges, which had a much lower success rate.

Evolution of Anti-Submarine Warfare: Squid and Limbo

World War II saw the development and evolution of anti-submarine weapons. The Hedgehog was continuously improved, leading to the creation of the Squid in 1943. The Squid was used by the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Swedish Navy. In 1955, it was further replaced by the Limbo, which was used by the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Libyan Navy, and South African Navy. These weapons systems marked a significant advancement in naval tactics and capabilities, adapting to the changing dynamics of submarine warfare.

Myths and Realities: Hedgehogs and Manual Approaches

While innovative, the Hedgehog also faced its share of misconceptions and failed experiments. A notable myth suggested that hedgehogs could be used as swimmers. However, this proved to be a misconception because hedgehogs are poor swimmers and their hollow spikes made them ineffective divers. Some enterprising sailors attempted to tie hand grenades to hedgehogs, pull the pin, and throw them overboard, but found this approach equally ineffective.

In retrospect, alternative methods like ships' rats, cats, and galley dogs were also tried, but proved similarly unsuccessful. As a result, the navy ultimately reverted to the more reliable and effective depth charges.

It is important to note that post-World War II, the ASW torpedo became the primary anti-submarine weapon, marking a significant shift in naval tactics and technology.