Immediately after the outbreak of the World War, Great Britain, France and Japan cut the German submarine cables which were situated in the different oceans of the world. The study of the submarine cables during the World War and its aftermath is a complex problem. To understand the post-war negotiations, previous international agreements, treaties and the ownership, operation and financing of the cables must be understood.

This booklet is the third unit of a training course developed for Air Force Reserve personnel about the armed forces of non-communist countries. This unit discusses the armed forces of West Germany and includes background information, review questions, and a list of readings for further study.