Peter Padfield (1932–2022)

Not too long a book - at 652 pages of which 10% is references etc. which I didn't read. However, this is a dense book and chock full of detail but, I must add, not a hard read.

It covers the submarine campaigns of WWII and focuses on its main protagonists - certainly the Germans and understandably the most detail, the US mainly in the Pacific, the Brits mainly in the Med, the Indian/Pacific, and Norway, and less on the Japanese and the Italians. I wondered if I should read this book as the ground is well trod however, I am glad I did. Its scope is broad - the history and lead up to WWII, the equipment, the campaigns, strategies, the leaders, the men, and the action. relating to the latter - there was an awful lot of information on the actions - the patrols, the crews, and their victims and pursuers. A lot of attention was also paid to the political and military leadership that on all sides failed to realize the submarine potential and the military leaders who selfishly seeked to hinder the "silent services".

I am very glad I read this and 'twas worthwhile and I certainly expanded my knowledge on the underwater campaigns which are central to the outcome of WWII.… (meer)