At the start of World War II Arnauld de la Perière was again called up for active duty. Until March 1940, he served as naval commandant in Danzig until he was sent to the Low Countries as naval commandant for Belgium and the Netherlands. Promoted to rear admiral, Arnauld de la Perière was made naval commandant in Brittany and later for the entire western French seacoast. He was promoted to vice admiral on February 1, 1941. Transferred to take up command as Admiral South, he was killed when his plane crashed on take off near Le Bourget Airport. He is buried in the Berliner Invalidenfriedhof.

I agree, but it is still an amazing accomplishment irregardless of the era.

It, however, could also be argued that the ASW capabilities of most, if not all, of the major ocean going navies were not much more advanced overall at the start of, and in the early stages of, world war II than their world war I counter parts; despite the invention and refinement of so many specific ASW technologies between the wars.

In fact, a large number of the 50 destroyers "traded" to Britain during the "destroyers for bases" agreement, prior to the US entering the war, were constructed during the last part of WWI and the early interwar period. England would go to use the bulk of these destroyers as ASW platforms until better designs were available.

It can also be argued that the rules of war varied from WWI to WWII. Lothar von Arnauld de la Periere was is famous for his "scrupulous adherence to prize rules, allowing crews of enemy merchant ships to board their lifeboats and giving them directions to the nearest port before sinking their ships"; VS unrestricted submarine warfare carried out during the second half of WWII. In fact, one might almost argue that the evolution of ASW technology and tactics forced the combatants into unrestricted warfare.

I would wager that the Admiral's deck gun tactics used during WWI would have been just as efficient during the early states of WWII until the technology and industrial weight leveraged them into obsolescence.

I think it's even more amazing considering the era.

On the other hand, Arnauld de la Perière was lucky he didn't encounter any Q-Ships in WWI. When they first came out they waited until the u-boat was close enough to board them before opening fire. Bagged a couple of early aces that way.

The also developed them to a fine art during the first war, carrying extra crew who would 'abandon ship', lowering lifeboats and rowing away. When the u-boat approached the 'empty' ship to plant scuttling charges...

BANG!

During WWI in a total of 150 engagements, British Q-ships destroyed 14 U-boats and damaged 60, at a cost of 27 Q-ships lost out of 200. Q-ships were responsible for about 10% of all U-boats sunk, ranking them well below the use of ordinary minefields in effectiveness.

Other methods adapted included the trawler+submarine plan. A trawler put to sea towing one of the older sbmerines, submerged, and connected to it by telephone. If a U-boat surfaced the trawler engaged its attention while the submarine was released for attack.