sm ub 48 unter kapitänleutnant wolfgang steinbauer (1888-1978) dringt 29 april 1918 in den italienischen hafen carloforte ein und zerstört den britischen dampfer kingstonian, zwei britische bergungsdampfer und eine französische bark
although convoys had been introduced between malta , alexandria in may 1917, allies unable introduce comprehensive system until later in year. number of routes, , divided responsibilities made complicated, while continued belief in offensive measures, such otranto barrage, kept shortage of escort ships elsewhere. throughout year u-boats still able find , sink ships sailing independently. 1918, however, u-boats successes began drop. in january 1918, german u-boats sank 103,738 long tons (105,403 t) , austrians sank further 20,020 long tons (20,340 t) while 2 pola boats sunk.
allied losses continued fall during year, while u-boat losses mounted. in may 1918, allied losses dropped below 100,000 long tons (100,000 t) , did not rise above again, while pola flotilla lost 4 boats, worst month of war.
karl dönitz—who go on command german u-boat force in world war ii, commander of ub-68, operating in mediterranean. on 4 october, boat sunk british forces , dönitz taken prisoner on island of malta.
by october 1918, end of campaign, allied losses year stood @ 761,000 long tons (773,000 t). pola flotilla had lost 11 boats, , kuk further 3. in october, central powers on verge of collapse; bulgaria , ottomans had sued peace, , austrians same. germans elected abandon mediterranean; 9 u-boats sailed bases on adriatic return germany , further 10 boats scuttled. 2 ships—mercia , surada—were torpedoed on way, last allied ships sunk in mediterranean, , 3 u-boats attacked. u-35 damaged , forced run barcelona, interned; u-34 destroyed. last action of mediterranean force came on 9 november 1918, 2 days before armistice: ub-50 torpedoed , sank british battleship hms britannia off cape trafalgar.
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