Large marine diesels (and stationary power plant engines) often do not run antifreeze, even in cold conditions. The reason is that the heat transfer ability of glycol-water mix is less than that of pure water. The more glycol, the poorer heat transfer ability.

The cooling passages in the heads and blocks of these engines are designed for a given flow with a given heat transfer ability, and if you put in glycol beyond a certain point, you typically derate the engine based on a curve, output vs. glycol percent.

To deal with very cold conditions, an interposing heat exchanger is used, wherein glycol water mix is circulated through the radiator, and on the other side of the exchanger the engine loop with "just" water circulates.

Engines like these do run corrosion inhibitors, and careful water treatment is very important, just as keeping your coolant in good shape in your car engine.

Ships generally have sea water heat exchangers, with treated water in the engine and raw sea water on the other side. No glycol in the picture.

I can't speak of what the practice is or was in WWII subs, however, just today!

Rgds,
Chris W.
big engines for a living