The British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous, launched in 1917, was converted from a battlecruiser to serve as an aircraft carrier in the Royal Navy. By 1939, it played a vital role in the protection of the Atlantic sea lanes and air support for the Allies. On September 17, the ship was conducting operations in the North Atlantic off the west coast of Ireland when it encountered the German U-boat U-29, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Hersing. U-29 was on a reconnaissance mission targeting British naval forces. After detecting the carriers, U-29 fired torpedoes at Courageous. The first torpedo struck the carrier on the starboard side, leading to catastrophic damage and flooding.

Following the initial explosion, the crew of HMS Courageous attempted to regain control and save the ship, but the damage was too severe. The carrier rolled over and capsized within minutes, resulting in the loss of approximately 519 officers and crew members. Although some crew managed to abandon ship and were rescued by nearby ships, the scale of casualties was shocking for the British Navy. The sinking of HMS Courageous not only impacted morale but also underscored the vulnerability of naval vessels to submarine attacks at the outset of World War II.

The sinking of Courageous highlighted the effectiveness of Germany’s U-boat strategy, which would become a key aspect of naval engagement throughout the war. This marked the beginning of a new era of warfare, demonstrating how submarines could effectively target larger naval vessels. The attack prompted the British Royal Navy to reevaluate its naval tactics and enhance its defenses against submarine warfare, foreshadowing the severe submarine conflicts that would dominate the Atlantic throughout the war.