Atlantic convoys expertly evoked
From Hunter to Hunted, by Bernard Edwards
Captain Bernard Edwards has written almost 30 books – and, now in his 90s, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. His latest book From Hunter to Hunted, subtitled The U-Boat War in the Atlantic 1939-1943, tells the story of the bitter struggle for supremacy in the vital sealanes through 14 compelling chapters that each recount a significant incident or significant developments during the conflict.
It begins with the Brocklebank cargo liner Manaar, which was torpedoed off the coast of Portugal only three days after the outbreak of war. The sinking of the ship, and the remarkable bravery of its radio officer, sets the scene for much of what follows as the U-boat threat to merchant ships intensified. Each incident is told with insight and precision, with Edwards explaining the wider context of events and vividly describing the often grim reality of life and death on the convoy routes. The evident depth of his research underpins his evocative accounts of the ships and the seafarers caught up in the conflict, as well as highlighting the huge challenges of running the wolf pack gauntlet with many ageing, ill-equipped and heavily loaded tramp ships.
The book underlines how close the Allies came to defeat in the Atlantic, typified by a three-day attack by 44 U-boats on Convoys HX 229 and SC 122 in which 22 merchant ships and more than 300 seafarers were lost, together with their vital cargoes of food, fuel and war materials. However, in the second section of the book the author explains how the tide turned early in 1943, with the week-long battle over Convoy ONS 5 kicking off what the German navy described as 'Black May'. Improvements in air cover and convoy escorts, together with advances in radar and radio location equipment, began to give the Allies the edge, and resulted in the withdrawal of the U-boats from the North Atlantic.
As the book concludes, it was also the 'quiet stoicism of the men of the merchant ships' which was to prove pivotal, and Bernard Edwards has once again produced a powerful tribute to them.
From Hunter to Hunted: The U-Boat War in the Atlantic 1939-1943
By Bernard Edwards
Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978 15267 63594
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
Shining a light on our maritime past
Lightships by Anthony Lane and Martin AugustusIn their new illustrated guide, Anthony Lane and Martin Augustus, showcase a crucial, but often forgotten part of British maritime history.
Legendary Lusitania brought to life
Lusitania: Life of a Greyhound, by J. Kent Layton et alNo less than five authors, Titanic experts and artists have come together to create two definitive (and rather beautiful) coffee table books about the Lusitania.
New edition of cargo-handling classic
Thomas' Stowage 10th edition, revised by Captain Graham PepperThe weighty textbook Thomas' Stowage has become the bible of cargo handling, with fresh editions periodically issued to take account of new legislation, new commodities and improved methods of handling and carriage.
Scottish shipbuilding within living memory
Leith-Built Ships Volume 4, by R.O. NeishThe popular Leith-Built Ships series has moved into a period within the memory of many Nautilus members. The vessels featured this time include the tug Lloydsman, which was involved in the Icelandic 'cod wars', and the Falklands War hospital ship HMS Herald.