U-Boat Ace: The Story of Wolfgang Luth

by Jordan Vause

An exceptional figure in the history of the German Navy, Wolfgang Luth was one of only seven men in the Wehrmacht to win Germany's highest combat decoration, the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. At one time or another he operated in almost every theater of the undersea war, from Norway to the Indian Ocean, and became the second most successful German U-boat ace in World War II, sinking more than 220,000 tons of merchant shipping. A master in the art of military leadership, Luth was the youngest man to be appointed to the rank of captain and the youngest to become commandant of the German Naval Academy. Nevertheless, his accomplishments were overshadowed by those of other great aces, such as Prien, Kretschmer, and Topp.
The publication of this book in hardcover in 1990 marked the first comprehensive study of Luth's life. Jordan Vause corrects the long neglect by providing an entertaining and authoritative biography that places the ace in the context of the war at sea. This new paperback edition includes corrections and additional information collected by the author over the past decade.

Genres: World War II, History, Nonfiction, Naval History, Military History, Biography, Military Fiction

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book chronicles the life and wartime career of Wolfgang Luth, one of Nazi Germany's most successful submarine commanders during World War II, who was responsible for the sinking of 46 merchant ships and an Allied submarine. Luth was one of only 2 submarine commanders to be awarded Germany's highest decoration for valor in combat, the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.

[Ricardo Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I had no idea I would rate it with 5 stars. Just because I keep the highest rate for true pieces of literary art, for books which I know will stay in my memory forever, marking me for life. Well, Jordan Vause did it. He created one of the best books about submarines I ever read. I was expecting an interesting - just because I do have a special interest in the subject - but dull book about Wolfgang Luth. But what I go was far more than that. He covers Luth but also the while U-Boat campaign and the daily life on board and so much more! Fascinating!

[C. G. Telcontar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rough, unpolished, but readable. He gets his facts right, unlike a myriad of other writers concerning u boats. Far too sentimental in the final 15 pages, but overall a passable portrait of a u boat commander.

[PHILLIP W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

The book is well written and it kept my interest throughout. Interesting characters described in some horrible times. Worth the read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the books that I comment on for Goodreads are those that I have listened to as audiobooks, but in this case I read the hardcover. I discovered this book while browsing in a used bookstore. After reading a portion of it in the store, I decided to purchase it for a friend but also to read it myself before giving it as a gift.

I must first say that, for some reason, I have a particular interest in U-Boats, the German submarines in World War II, their place in history, and their stories. The film, "Das Boot," the story of a U-Boat on patrol, is one of my favorite films, and I have studied German language and culture for quite some time and lived for several years in Germany. I would expect that for someone who does not share my interest in U-Boats at the same level, this book might not be quite as captivating, but for me it was one of the most interesting biographies I have read in a long time.

Author Jordan Vause, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has done an extraordinarily fine job of drawing a picture of Wolfgang Luth (Lueth), by utilizing information he gained through interviews and correspondence with those who served with Luth as his crew and his fellow U-Boat commanders. They outlived Luth and remained to describe a very complicated and multifaceted personality who from time to time displayed many contradictory traits. Vause has also done an excellent job of researching the German archives to present us with factual and objective background about Luth's competence and performance as a U-Boat commander. Vause weaves these archival facts with great skill into the portrait of a life which is full of experience and complex so that we understand Luth better as a person when we would perhaps be tempted to pass him off as simply another unidimensional Nazi war hero. In the end, whether you like him or hate him, we have a full and fascinating picture of the person that he was.

[RolandofGileaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η ιστορία ενός από τους πιο επιτυχημένους κυβερνήτες υποβρυχίων του Β' Π.Π., του Βόλφγκανγκ Λυτ.
Ο συγγραφέας χρησιμοποιώντας υλικό από τα ημερολόγια των αποστολών, από επιστολές συμπολεμιστών του Lüth σκιαγραφεί ένα χαρακτήρα ο οποίος δεν είναι απαραίτητα πάντα συμπαθής με τις ενέργειές του στη θάλασσα. Το βιβλίο διαβάζεται πολύ ευχάριστα και γρήγορα χωρίς να "κουράζει" με λεπτομέρειες επιχειρησιακής φύσης όπως πχ τα "σιδερένια φέρετρα" του Βέρνερ.

[G Poc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting details

Interesting details of the mans life and war patrols.
The book is occasionally repetitive and the chronology sometimes difficult to follow but a good read nevertheless.

[Themistocles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and unique. Unmissable.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting background on the journeys of a U-boat commander. What's unique about this commander is that he survived the war.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolfgang is genius U boat captain. Out in the sea for months, somehow he managed crew from going mad and carries out successfully missions.