U-Boat Ace: The Story of Wolfgang Luth (Bluejacket Books)

another u-boat captain book,Luth's u-boat survival of the war depended a great deal on his skill,but there are instances here where you realize there was some luck involved as well. An even better source of luck was that he was assigned a section of the south Atlantic,and African waters where his prey was not often as heavily protected as was were convoys in the North Atlantic.Luth's patrols were mainly "lone wolf" type guerilla attacks on isolated cargo ships,not the suicidal wolfpack attacks that were sure to bring on lots of task force boats.You can't help but draw from the book that the thirty year Luth was a by-product of the post WW1 Versailles Treaty outrage against Germany.His resentment as well as his crew run deep,methodically shinking ships like shooting mechanical ducks at a carnival.Not deliberately cruel but with a firm belief that it's either "us or them".When reading this book it would help to have a little knowledge of the "War Reparations"clause in the Versailles treaty,it would make for boring reading but,it will make the Luth story more enriching.

Growing up in Australia not long after WWII, I heard and read a lot of stories from the Allied perspective. I thought it was time to redress my ignorance of those who fought on the Axis side. This little book follows the career of one of the German Navy's Submarine Aces and what a story it is! It tells of Luth's exploits in a number of submarines as he advances in seniority and rank during his patrols fom the N. Atlantic to the western Indian Ocean. His lack of compassion for the sailors on the vessels he sank astounded me and is at complete odds to the way he managed the men in his crews! Life on board a fighting ship is described in detail and seems quite authentic, with the crowding and resultant problems with space and hygiene. The ending is in fact quite sad and surprising after all he survived! Great read!

This is not the typical memoir of a U-boat commander. The ending was the most surprising of all. It was an interesting study of leadership and motivation.

Good but short on detail and personal information on his character

Good account of submarine war focused on Luth personality. Also a small biography of various Sub aces.

Unlike so many U-boat commanders, this guy was a Nazi. To a great extent, he was not likable -- of course. But, it in the end, I think he started realizing the errors of his past beliefs. Above all, he was an excellent U-boat commander who thought first of his crew. I could not help respecting the man; my hubby had to keep reminding me, "he was a NAZI!" -- especially at the end when I bawled my eyes out.

this is a must read for people that are interested in ww2 sub life and combat. if you havent seen the movie das boot youll want to after reading this book and youll also want to play the sub sim. silent hunter3, 4, or 5.

Technology and massive manufacturing capabilities rendered the U Boat ineffective during the final year of the war.

Excellent research done. The day to day life of a U-Boat Crew. Hard work, the monotonous boredom, planning of a well supplied boat of food, supplies and extra parts, cramped courtiers, the stress of fear, etc. How does a captain manage all these details/responsibilities. He also manages to be Captain, comrad and even at times a father figure to younger less experience (boys). The crew really does count on him for so much. The book sometimes.... really does have you wanting (them) to succeed. At other times you find yourself winceing in fear for them. A feeling of sadness will invade your emotion in the end for the honor of these German men were as powerful as on a British or an American boat. We’re they Nazi’s is your final thought. Who was the Nazi who wasn’t? Who was there due to duty? It’s a mixed bag of emotions. I read this book more than 15 years ago. A fine movie could have been made. A book, any Professional or Sudo Milirary historian, should make room for on a their book shelf. Finally, Luth was truly a WOLF. In the very Best of ways. Brace yourself for fine writing, fine story telling and very well done research.

Very personal and honest book.