Review: U-Boat Commander

[sniper1shot]

Title: U-Boat Commander
Authour: Peter Cremer
ISBN:0-87021-969-3
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Stars: 4 (out of 5)
I have had this book on my "too read" shelf for years finally got around to it.
Book starts off as most memoirs with the training involved and postings to various ships etc. Then the chapters start with the war patrols and ultimate outcomes. From Mine laying off of England to patrols in the Atlantic etc.
Very good battle descriptions of torpedo attacks and also of the Allied attacks on the U-boats. I was impressed with the amount of damage that the authours' boats sustained but was still able to make it back to port.
There is a bit of "Boy, is he good" self admiration mentioned but the authour tends to then play it down....but after what he went through in the war I guess he is entitled to it.
My copy is the Military Book Club edition.

A good U-boat memoir that is worth reading.

[Spandau]

Ave Sniper1shot,

I always trust your opinion, so how does this compare to Iron Coffins by Herbert Werner? Iron Coffins is the best U-boat book I have read.

Vale,

-Spandau

[Richard Hargreaves]

Cremer's war experiences are more varied; he gives a good description of the journey of the destroyers to Narvik, for example, in 1940. I have to say I think Werner is the better writer of the two. Iron Coffins remains the benchmark for U-boat memoirs.

[sniper1shot]

I will agree with Halder, on the better book of the two.
You get the "feel" of the U-boat crew more in Iron Coffins.

Worth getting for the memoir if nothing else. I liked it but like I said......it sat on my shelf for quite sometime. Nothing Spectacular, but it is a good read.