The Battle of the Atlantic was one of the most savage and strategically significant campaigns of World War II: 28,000 out of 39,000 men in the German U-boat force disappeared beneath the waves. Herbert A. Werner, one of the few surviving German U-boat commanders, served on five submarines from 1941 to 1945. From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, from the English Channel to the North Sea, he takes the reader with him through the triumphant years of 1941 and 1942, when German U-boats nearly strangled England, to the apocalyptic final years of destruction, disillusionment, and defeat.
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Book Description
A first hand account of the German U-boat battles of World War II, by one of the very few surviving commanders.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Commander Herbert Werner served on five submarines from 1941 to 1945 and came to the United States in 1947.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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ENSIGNS," the Admiral began, " you have been called together to receive your first important assignments. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
ENSIGNS," the Admiral began, " you have been called together to receive your first important assignments. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By D. M. Liffen
Format:Paperback
I have read loads of books on WW2. It was such a huge event.Yes, of course, being a world war thats obvious. But my point is that there are so many many aspects and stories that I doubt we will ever learn everything that happend in the vastness of WW2.
This book has left me in sheer awe and wonder. Awe in as much as what Herr Kapitan Werner endured throughout the years of the war firstly as an officer aboard a U Boat following training at the Naval College then eventually as Commander.
In the first years of war we hear of the battle in the Atlantic where convoys were very easy pickings for the 'wolfpacks'. We learn that the 'tide soon turns' and following the joining of the USA and advances in allies technology, the hunter becomes the hunted. U Boats become easy pickings for allied destroyers.
There is no doubt that Herr Werner was an extremely skilled commander but it will leave you in wonder at how he survived against all odds throughout the war. His survival includes overcoming the madness and senseless orders of U Boat Command and the sheer arrogance and mindlessness of senior officers (those in the main having seen little if any action other than indulging in their own oppulence).
We also hear of the heartbreak and loss as families of Herr Werner and his crew are wiped off the face off the earth by allied bombers.
Irrespective of which side they were on, there were millions of extremely brave and courageouse men and women during WW2 and this book provides an amazing story of just some of those. When the book brings us to the wars end you will no doubt breath a sigh of relief for the safety of the Commander and his loyal crew. Rest not....following capture and becoming a prisoner of war the story continues to have the reader glued to each page.
Believe me....fiction could not better this incredible story.
This book has left me in sheer awe and wonder. Awe in as much as what Herr Kapitan Werner endured throughout the years of the war firstly as an officer aboard a U Boat following training at the Naval College then eventually as Commander.
In the first years of war we hear of the battle in the Atlantic where convoys were very easy pickings for the 'wolfpacks'. We learn that the 'tide soon turns' and following the joining of the USA and advances in allies technology, the hunter becomes the hunted. U Boats become easy pickings for allied destroyers.
There is no doubt that Herr Werner was an extremely skilled commander but it will leave you in wonder at how he survived against all odds throughout the war. His survival includes overcoming the madness and senseless orders of U Boat Command and the sheer arrogance and mindlessness of senior officers (those in the main having seen little if any action other than indulging in their own oppulence).
We also hear of the heartbreak and loss as families of Herr Werner and his crew are wiped off the face off the earth by allied bombers.
Irrespective of which side they were on, there were millions of extremely brave and courageouse men and women during WW2 and this book provides an amazing story of just some of those. When the book brings us to the wars end you will no doubt breath a sigh of relief for the safety of the Commander and his loyal crew. Rest not....following capture and becoming a prisoner of war the story continues to have the reader glued to each page.
Believe me....fiction could not better this incredible story.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This author commanded a series of German U-Boats throughout WW2 and this is his own personal story. The photographs are also from his own personal collection and are, therefore, unlikely to have been published elsewhere. The Maps, however, could so easily be improved.
In Part One of this book, Herbert Werner takes the reader through the glorious years of success after success for both Germany and her U-Boat offensive. In Part Two, however, we reach that turning point in the war which he aptly describes as "Above us Hell." Finally, Part 3 is equally effectively described as "Disaster to Defeat."
An interesting and well written account of the U-Boat war of WW2 - not only because the author actually took part, but also because he was fortunate enough to survive that war and relive his experiences so that we might read and learn.
NM.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Buchheim's 'Das Boot' may be the most well known book on u-boat life- largely thanks to the excellent TV series/film of the same name. However, despite Buchheim's first hand u-boat experience as a journalist, Das Boot is fiction and contains too many tiresome descriptions of seascapes for my liking. Iron Coffins is just brimming with action from start to finish- I consider this the best book of the u-boat genre.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
iron cffins
brilliant read a must for anyone interesred in the u boat war hated turning over the last page puts you right there
Published 3 months ago by Mr. T. R. Diggens
2.0 out of 5 stars
Good start but then
I bought this book on a whim after seeing a uboat in a museum, it's starts off well enough with well written descriptions of what led him to this role, and the tough conditions... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Daniel Harold Huntley
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic and detailed
This is one of the best war books I have read.The book follows Herbert Werners accounts of the changing fortunes of both Germany and the U boat war from start to finish. Read more
Published 12 months ago by gary900
5.0 out of 5 stars
Iron Coffins
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I found it so good I would be sat at work desparate to get home and read more! Read more
Published 12 months ago by Alister
5.0 out of 5 stars
An epic story, a graphic history, a roller-coaster ride, a personal...
This epic account of Werner's life as a U-boat officer and Captain in WWII is an emotional roller-coaster. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Roland Rat
5.0 out of 5 stars
Iron Coffins:German U Boat Battles of WWII
Superb book, you feel as though you are onboard. Well written and good to get the story from both sides.
Published on 19 July 2009 by John Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
A GREAT READ!
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WITH AN INTEREST IN LIFE ABOARD A U-BOAT. GIVES INSIGHT INTO THE MIND OF THE U-BOAT CREW, THE FRUSTRATIONS THE 'HAPPY TIMES' AND THE HARDSHIPS OF... Read more
Published on 23 May 2009 by JULIET PARRISH
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic account of the U-Boat War
I have read a few books about the U-Boat war, but this is easily one of the most readable, and poignant. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by R. G. Anders
4.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible acount
This is a magnificent "other side of the hill" book, describing what was perhaps one of the most terrifyng and courageous "jobs" of all the combatants of world war two. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2007 by Luis Miguel Vale
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant read which is well written
I was lent this book by a colleague and he has a lot to answer for as I've not been able to put it down. The descriptions of the battles are brilliant and very gritty. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2007 by D. Wilson
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