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War in the Boats: My WWII Submarine Battles
Captain William J. Ruhe describes life on a US Fleet Boat. He kept a diary during his time on Fleet Boats during World War II, and this book is based on the one he kept while he was on the S-37, USS Seadragon, and USS Crevalle.
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
William J. Ruhe
6 books1 followerCaptain William J. Ruhe was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1915, the son of Percy and Amy Ruhe. After his schooling in Allentown, he attended the University of Pittsburgh and the U. S. Naval Academy, graduating from the Naval Academy and commissioned an ensign in 1939.
Prior to World War II he served tours on USS Trenton CL-11 and USS Roe DD-418. After the start of the war he transitioned to the submarine service and made three combat patrols on USS S-37 and USS Sea Dragon SS-194 in the waters off Rabaul and Guadalcanal. Serving as executive officer on USS Crevalle SS-291, he made five combat patrols in the China Sea. He completed the war as the commanding officer of USS Sturgeon SS-187. For his wartime service he was awarded three Silver Stars and the Navy Unit Commendation
During the Korean Conflict he commanded the USS Sea Devil SS-400, and in 1959 he was assigned as Commander of Submarine Division 22. He also served as commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center in his hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Captain Ruhe came aboard USS Topeka CLG-8 as Commanding Officer in December, 1964 and served in that capacity until October, 1965.
After retirement he was employed by General Dynamics as Corporate Director of Marine Programs.
Captain Ruhe wrote two books about his naval service: War in the Boats: My WWII Submarine Battles, and Slow Dance to Pearl Harbor: A Tin Can Ensign in Prewar America. He also wrote the submariners song "Down,Down Underneath the Ocean".
He passed away at his home in McLean, Virginia on November 4, 2003.
Prior to World War II he served tours on USS Trenton CL-11 and USS Roe DD-418. After the start of the war he transitioned to the submarine service and made three combat patrols on USS S-37 and USS Sea Dragon SS-194 in the waters off Rabaul and Guadalcanal. Serving as executive officer on USS Crevalle SS-291, he made five combat patrols in the China Sea. He completed the war as the commanding officer of USS Sturgeon SS-187. For his wartime service he was awarded three Silver Stars and the Navy Unit Commendation
During the Korean Conflict he commanded the USS Sea Devil SS-400, and in 1959 he was assigned as Commander of Submarine Division 22. He also served as commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Center in his hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Captain Ruhe came aboard USS Topeka CLG-8 as Commanding Officer in December, 1964 and served in that capacity until October, 1965.
After retirement he was employed by General Dynamics as Corporate Director of Marine Programs.
Captain Ruhe wrote two books about his naval service: War in the Boats: My WWII Submarine Battles, and Slow Dance to Pearl Harbor: A Tin Can Ensign in Prewar America. He also wrote the submariners song "Down,Down Underneath the Ocean".
He passed away at his home in McLean, Virginia on November 4, 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 5, 2015
Another excellent submarine book. I can truly say that life on a nuclear powered fast attack was a hotel compared to life aboard a fleet boat, but as submariners we shared a great deal in common. Hat6's off to Capt William J Ruhe.
July 24, 2024
A better read than most fiction.
August 1, 2025
Burning in some places - too much slow detail. But overall a good explanation of life in submarines.
October 11, 2018
A fantastic look at service on WWII American U-Boats in the Pacific. I'd highlight a couple things that I found unique about Ruhe's account. First, he did not command any of the U-Boats he served on in WWII which may account for why he feels like an impartial observer. Captains have drinking problems, they make mistakes, they even breakdown under pressure. At times Ruhe comes across as a bit too knowledgeable, too perfect, but that's normal in first person accounts. What he does give us is an account of captains (and others) that feels genuine.
Secondly, Ruhe gives us an account of Australia from an American submariner's perspective that I have never encountered. Based out of Brisbane and later, Fremantle, Ruhe describes interactions and impressions with the eye of a travel writer.
Third, Ruhe documents his service on different classes of boats, beginning with the "rusty sewer pipe" S-37 and then on fleet boats. He does so with the eye of an engineer as he describes flaws found by the crew, damage from ASW actions, jerry-rigged repairs, and catastrophic accidents.
Finally, he writes more about transiting dangerous reefs, minefields, and enemy patrolled straits then I have ever read before - and does so interestingly.
This edition also has excellent maps of critical actions, though I recommend reading of the action before reviewing the map (as the maps have spoilers).
I strongly recommend this book for readers interested in World War II submarining. Those interested in the Pacific Theater in general should consider reading this as well.
Secondly, Ruhe gives us an account of Australia from an American submariner's perspective that I have never encountered. Based out of Brisbane and later, Fremantle, Ruhe describes interactions and impressions with the eye of a travel writer.
Third, Ruhe documents his service on different classes of boats, beginning with the "rusty sewer pipe" S-37 and then on fleet boats. He does so with the eye of an engineer as he describes flaws found by the crew, damage from ASW actions, jerry-rigged repairs, and catastrophic accidents.
Finally, he writes more about transiting dangerous reefs, minefields, and enemy patrolled straits then I have ever read before - and does so interestingly.
This edition also has excellent maps of critical actions, though I recommend reading of the action before reviewing the map (as the maps have spoilers).
I strongly recommend this book for readers interested in World War II submarining. Those interested in the Pacific Theater in general should consider reading this as well.
March 18, 2022
William Ruhe's account of his WWII war patrols aboard S-37, a 30-year old S-boat as well as several newer, modern fleet submarines provides a wide range of his experiences. Rather than drawing on his memories over the war years the author kept a journal throughout the war. He presents a full picture of the day to day happenings on patrol, equipment breakdowns, petty stresses, lack of targets, torpedo failures and the combination of random emotions among the officers and the captain and crew and how these factors influence their ability to locate and successfully attempt to destroy the enemy. This is has been a great read. The author has written a wonderful and very honest and human story.
February 19, 2021
This non-fiction story about a wartime submarine lieutenant has as much action and twists-and-turns as any Tom Clancy novel. No wonder that the author was Clancy’s technical adviser for “Hunt for Red October.”
Well written using is personal daily wartime log. Considering that my own father was a WWII submarine skipper, I found the book totally engrossing.
Well written using is personal daily wartime log. Considering that my own father was a WWII submarine skipper, I found the book totally engrossing.
July 3, 2017
Amazing.
December 13, 2017
Great!
A very detailed first person account of what itbwas really like day to day in a WWII submarine. Get it!
A very detailed first person account of what itbwas really like day to day in a WWII submarine. Get it!
June 16, 2021
Great WW2 submarine book
The author's personal history through the entire war on several submarines is entertaining and riveting. A very good book it is!
The author's personal history through the entire war on several submarines is entertaining and riveting. A very good book it is!
April 6, 2023
A strange an interesting book, which describes in very great detail the WW2 submarine cruises of Capt. William Ruhe.
It is interesting, even fascinating, because the level of detail it gives is truly unusual. In fact, this is, I think, the only WW@ submarine book I have read which goes to this level of detail: it allows you to understand the very deep mechanics of a dive, of sleeping on board, or of many other aspects of the submarine life.
It is somewhat strange because Ruhe is extremely critical of many of his slippers and peers. The book is sometimes so negative and critical that reading it makes me embarrassed and uncomfortable. I can't help wondering what these people felt when they read Ruhe's book. For most of them, I think they were no worse than Ruhe himself, and sometimes a lot better: Ruhe almost feels like a poison pen. There is no doubt, though, that Ruhe was competent and courageous.
I may be too sensitive, and I'd love to read what you think. So reply to my review! Regardless, the unusual level of detail is unique and provides information I had never read. On that basis, and because it is such an unusual book, I have to rank it a 5.
It is interesting, even fascinating, because the level of detail it gives is truly unusual. In fact, this is, I think, the only WW@ submarine book I have read which goes to this level of detail: it allows you to understand the very deep mechanics of a dive, of sleeping on board, or of many other aspects of the submarine life.
It is somewhat strange because Ruhe is extremely critical of many of his slippers and peers. The book is sometimes so negative and critical that reading it makes me embarrassed and uncomfortable. I can't help wondering what these people felt when they read Ruhe's book. For most of them, I think they were no worse than Ruhe himself, and sometimes a lot better: Ruhe almost feels like a poison pen. There is no doubt, though, that Ruhe was competent and courageous.
I may be too sensitive, and I'd love to read what you think. So reply to my review! Regardless, the unusual level of detail is unique and provides information I had never read. On that basis, and because it is such an unusual book, I have to rank it a 5.
March 2, 2012
This book provides a firsthand account of what it was like to serve on US subs during WW2 in the Pacific. The author starts out as a junior officer on an S-boat, and ends up as the executive officer on a Balao-class submarine. The unique feature of this book, I think, is that it portrays USN submariners as regular, fallible people. They make mistakes, they don't always get along, they have unusual personal habits, annoying personality traits, and stress-induced mental health issues. I got a kick out of a reviewer from Germany who, in his review on Amazon.com, wondered how in the world the US could have won WW2 with submarine crews like those described here, as compared to the uber-sailors of the U-boats.
Highly recommended for providing a unique and personal view of war in the Silent Service.
Highly recommended for providing a unique and personal view of war in the Silent Service.
October 25, 2014
My second tour of duty with this book. Very well written, gripping account of the author's service in WW2 aboard submarines in the Pacific theater. Ruhe first served on an obsolete "S" series sub, cramped, plagued by malfunctioning torpedoes, and of limited range. He transferred to the USS Crevasse, a modern "fleet boat" that sank several Japanese ships during a series of ventures. The last voyage of the Crevally almost ended in tragedy due to malfunctioning equipment. Ruhe offers thoughtful assessments of his commanding officers, who all seemed to suffer from the effects of stress. I am filled with admiration and gratitude that my father's generation produced so many heroes.
March 20, 2016
Fascinating Story
I believe that unless you lived it, it would be too hard to believe it. These brave souls didn't live dangerously, they lived a hair's breadth from death, and didn't flinch. Their bravery and heroism was what lay between victory and defeat after the bombing of Pearl harbor. It wasn't until mid 1942 and the battle of Midway that the United States was able to "get back" into the war. Small wonder then that these men were part of "The Greatest Generation."
I believe that unless you lived it, it would be too hard to believe it. These brave souls didn't live dangerously, they lived a hair's breadth from death, and didn't flinch. Their bravery and heroism was what lay between victory and defeat after the bombing of Pearl harbor. It wasn't until mid 1942 and the battle of Midway that the United States was able to "get back" into the war. Small wonder then that these men were part of "The Greatest Generation."
November 1, 2014
You can smell the diesel fumes and stale cigarette smoke in the cramped quarters of Ruhe's submarine. This is a vivid portrayal of a submarine cruise during the early part of WWII in the Pacific. Highly recommmended!
January 29, 2011
Loved it. Very dry and very realistic.
August 20, 2011
This book was very interesting very easy to understand some good humor.A fascinating and easy reading of the life in the U-boats.A very good account of our submarine war in the pacific.
July 10, 2012
A better follow up to War in the Boats
October 27, 2015
Good ( I liked the descriptions of the S-boats). Writer seemed to be critical of his captains, much more so than in other books of this genre.
December 21, 2016
I don't think I'd want to be stuck in a metal tube for weeks at a time with the author.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews