Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II's Most Daring Heist

by Alexander Rose

From the New York Times bestselling author of Washington's Spies, "a page-turning thriller" (James M. Scott) about ​one of the greatest heists in the U.S. Navy’s clandestine capture of a Nazi U-boat at the climax of World War II.

Shortly before noon on June 4, 1944, the sonar operator on a destroyer prowling off the coast of West Africa heard a sharp, metallic ping. The sound could mean only one The German submarine that their hunter-killer group had been tracking, U-505, was lurking somewhere below. The ensuing struggle between exhausted hunter and venomous prey would make history when American sailors boarded an enemy warship at sea for the first time since the War of 1812.

That day’s victory was the culmination of an unrelenting campaign against the Nazi submarine threat by the U.S. Navy’s “Tenth Fleet”—a mysterious unit that could predict the locations and movement of Hitler’s U-boats. Run by Commander Kenneth Knowles, Tenth Fleet had guided Captain Dan Gallery to U-505; to repay the favor, Gallery was going to steal an Enigma machine for him.
 
Now all they had to do was to make an entire U-boat, its crew, and its secrets vanish into thin air . . .
 
In this swashbuckling adventure story, bestselling historian Alexander Rose draws on long-classified encrypted documents and intercepted German transmissions to reveal in full, for the first time, how an owlish egghead and a glory-seeking buccaneer teamed up to score the richest prize on the high seas.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Audiobook, Military Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

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Reviews

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any student of World War Two Naval History.

Mr. Rose has written the definitive account of the German Submarine U-505, and how the American Navy pursued her in June 1944.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you know that the only Nazi U-boat available for tour is in the Griffin Science museum in Chicago? And do you know why it's there? Because the man who led the task force that captured it was from Chicago, and he convinced the government to donate it to his home town after the war rather than scrap it like all the other U-boats.

This book is ostensibly about the capture of the boat, but it's a lot more than that; the actual capture doesn't happen until over 200 pages into this 284 page book. But the stuff that happens before is just as interesting.

The author sets up the situation of submarine warfare, and especially the anti-sub intelligence gathered by the British and the Americans. The British had two years of experience in this before the Americans entered the war, but the Americans had a resources to throw into the effort to catch up fast. The main effort was decoding the German Enigma signals, and the Americans built the machines to do that better than the British.

German submarines had a good period of hunting for a few years before the Allies developed effective anti-sub tactics. The big break came in the Spring of 1943 when the Americans debuted small, fast destroyer escorts armed with anti-sub weaponry and sonar, and small aircraft carriers to close the 'air gap' in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. Now, the Germans went from the hunters to the hunted.

The fascinating thing about this book is that the author moves from the German point of view to the Allies, and back again. So we see the deadly cat and mouse game play out from both sides, with each side trying to out-think the other.

It all culminates in Captain Dan Gallery convincing the top brass that he can capture a German sub and the all-important Enigma machine along with advance codes. The intelligence arm, led by Kenneth Knowles, steered Gallery's task force to the area of U-505, and the rest is history.

I've read Gallery's history of the capture, and toured U-505 in Chicago. There's a lot more about the actual capture than what's in the book, but what's here is sufficient. What I didn't know was the history of anti-sub intelligence by the Allies, and the strategic planning by Kriegsmarine admiral Karl Doenitz in positioning his subs. That's what makes this book so interesting and different than other accounts about the actual capture.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an informative and entertaining book! It read more like a thriller than a military naval history book. The depth of the research gave insight into the men and the mission to capture a German U-boat. It brought to life the efforts of the U.S. intelligence officers, their superiors, and their British and German counterparts as they played a cat-and-mouse game.

Beginning in 1942, with German U-boats off the eastern coast of the United States disrupting supply shipments, to the capturing of a U-boat in 1944, this story unfolds from the perspective of the U.S. and German naval officers. Along the way, the book recounts the critical work done by the British to crack the German Enigma encrypting device and how the U.S. used the information to hunt down the elusive U-boats and break the back of the German Navy.

I liked how Rose got into the personalities of the men involved, making it an intimate read with a depth not otherwise achievable. Owing to his conversational writing, the book is a captivating account of a single incident during World War II, highlighting its relationship to the war effort. I don't usually read World War II-era books, but I'm glad I made an exception for this book. 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is May 20, 2025.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Googly. Moogly.

Full disclosure, I *KNEW* how this ended before even reading the book. Last year I read a magnificent book called Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine by Charles Lachman, which is ALSO about the capture of U-505, but it is told from a different perspective than this book [which is really fantastic]. When I requested this book, I didn't initially realize it was about the same U-boat ::grin::, and when I finally realized it was, I could only hope that it would be just as excellent as Codename Nemo had been.

WHOOSH!

This was an EXCELLENT read. Absolutely fantastic. There is just SO much information here [some I knew, much I did not, which is always amazing to me given how many war books I read every year]; we learn about sub warfare, decoding the Enigma data [GO Bletchley Circle!!!], and all of the intelligence gathered by both sides. The reader also learns so much about the German side and the U-boat captains [the book moves back and forth between the American/English story and the German story as everything unfolds - it was really fascinating to read the story this way]. I learned so many new things and kept wishing I had someone who I knew who was reading it at the same time so we could talk about all the things that were revealed in this book - amazing.

I really loved this book; it was just so filled with history and intrigue and at times will keep you right at the edge of your seat [the taking of the U-boat is so very nerve-wracking, even knowing what I knew from the other book]. You will NOT be bored with this one that is for sure.

If you love history and adventure, then this book, along with Codename Nemo are for you [these would be excellent to read back-to-back with a notebook and a highlighter]; I highly recommend them both!!

As an aside, I *DO* know I need to get to Chicago now to see U-505 in person; history right in front of us - how glorious.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexander Rose, and Little, Brown, and Company for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Marco G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. it's the history of the u 505 sub at the Griffen museum of science and industry in Chicago. it was captured by the US Navy during WW2 in spectacular fashion. nothing had ever been contemplated since the 1700s, the last time the US military seized and boarded another vessel. pulling this off was quite the feat. but the book is also a great recapitulation of the war in the Atlantic, of how Germany had the advantage in sub warfare, how the British and US allies cracked the German enigma code machines, and how the US turned on its mighty manufacturing industry to become the greatest Navy, surplanting the British. military history buffs will eat this up, and fans of the sub in Chicago will appreciate what happened to it.

[Ian Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, the best account of WWII naval warfare I’ve encountered. The depth of research is off the charts. I may have aged out of this historical era of nonfiction well over a decade ago, but I am so glad to have stumbled upon this at the library.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. This really felt as if it was a book about the history of the U-Boats rather than a book about the capture of U505. Nevertheless, well researched.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just returned from a trip to Chicago. While there, I visited the Museum of Science and Industry, and the extremely interesting exhibit featuring the captured submarine U-505. Upon returning home, I checked out Phantom Fleet from the library about this historic capture. It is a very thoroughly researched account, but almost presented like a novel. If you enjoy history (and not necessarily just military history), this book will definitely not disappoint you. The only mild criticism I have (and thus 4 stars rather than 5) is some of his character background gets a little long winded and brings the fast pace of the U-boat pursuit to a slog. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book.

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you at the edge of your seat on U boat Atlantic warfare. Biographies and technical information is artfully woven into the story line, without bogging it down. More of the Enigma story is also revealed and the competition between the Brits and the Americans in code cracking. Rose has done his homework and turned in a great book!

[James]

A great read. Could hardly put it down. I good review of the submarine war in the Atlantic. Covers what the Nazis were up to and how the US overcame Germany supremicy in U-Boat war fare. Included how the British helped the US get up to speed on tracking U-Boats and breaking the Enigma Codes.
This lead up to one man's desire to capture a U-boat without the Nazis finding out.

[Rovertoad · Rating 5 out of 5]

and that’s the rest of the story

I joined the Navy to be on submarines. One of my first schools was near Chicago where I 1st saw the U505. That was over 50 years ago I knew some of the story, but not the full story. This book was very well written full pf historical facts.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly fascinating. One of the best books I've read in a long time. Highly recommended to anybody curious about the cat and mouse game of WWII submarine warfare. Lots of great personalities and sub/anti-sub tech abound in this book.

[Richard Sloman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[David Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging, memorable account of The Battle of the Atlantic and a captured U-boat.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more a book about the allies tracking of Atlantic submarines. Enjoyable albeit slow start.

[Stuart David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating stuff.
I learned a lot!

[Pete Bautz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. Some interesting twists and turns. Alexander Rose weaves the story together very well.

[Christine Discenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected more suspense, but certainly interesting nonetheless.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this history about the U-boat battles of World War II, how high the stakes were, and how one operation, covered in a bodyguard of lies, turned the tide for the Allies.

I first became interested in U-boats when I picked up the Time-Life Books collection, The Second World War. Looking back these were a strange series of books, written in a isn't this kind of cool, in a bad way style, with lots of pictures of things blowing up. Das Boot the movie about a German U-boat crew and their service, showed me the reality, the funk of a submarine, the damp, the rotten food, the sinking of boats without warning killing sailors not only by drowning, but by fire or covered in oil. As on reads about submarine warfare, one is amazed how history could have been changed. Both sides didn't understand the other, and in America's case didn't understand our Allies much either. What helped the Allies was the fact that we could read much of what the submarines were being told by their command. Until suddenly the Allies couldn't. And Americans being Americans, a plan was made. Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II’s Most Daring Heist by Alexander Rose is a fascinating history about a part of the war that has been mythologized quite a bit, and a little bit of a heist tale about trying to steal something from the Germans, but not letting anyone, Allies or Axis, know what happened.

Germany declared war on America following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and dispatched a small group of submarines, U-boats as they were called, to disrupt trade, cause fear, and sink ships. America had no real plan for submarine warfare, and this was soon a huge problem. The shores were bright, Coney Island rides served as beacons for U-boats to tell them their position, and ships were silhouetted in the darkness for torpedos or deck guns to sink. This was the beginning of the Golden Time as the German submariners called it, when record numbers of ships were sent to the bottom. The British offered there help, a way they had determined where U-boats were going to be but America wanted something more. They wanted to find them and sink them. Britain also shared a secret, one so protected that even their Allies were only given a little taste. The British had broken the German codes, and could read much of what was said to the submarine force, within limitations. Soon the Germans were beginning to lose boats, and men, until they changed their code machine. Suddenly it was back to guessing where the U-boats were, something the Americans with British help had become good at. However there was a plan, to steal a working code machine. And not let anyone know it was missing.

I really enjoyed this book. I was familiar with the U-boat wars, but there was a lot of stories and facts that were totally new to me. Rose has a very good style both informative, and with a hint of a thriller writer, making one flip pages to find out what is going to happen, all while learning. Rose has done a lot of research and it shows, covering life on submarines, the people involved, the waters they sailed in, even the ships that were sunk, and sailors who lost their lives. This was a big book that went very fast, and as I said earlier quite entertaining.

Readers of World War II history will learn quite a bit like I did. Naval readers too will enjoy the stories about being under the sea, floating at sea, and in the case of the German crews being miserable at sea. A very good book for Father's Day, and one that I will recommend. I look forward to more by Alexander Rose.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the war years, the German wolf packs were raising havoc with the upper East Coast on the United States. They then brought that war to the Atlantic, and the United States navy at large.

U-Boat 505 was a game changer for the second Great War. With the Germans pressing their advantage of naval superiority, and having a code that was near impossible to break, the Allies were grasping at straws. They needed to break the stranglehold that the U-boats held on the oceans. As small bits of information became available, and cracking the Enigma code, the Allies and United States started to get a better picture of the German plans and how they were operating.
As the war continues, the United States start to see some small cracks, and begin to exploit the information they have, much to the chagrin of Bletchley Park in England. As the war continues, it did become apparent that the United States was slowly passing England in military superiority.
With information that was coming in, the United States that they knew they had to break the back of the U-boats, and gain the information that they hold on board. So began the mission to capture a U-boat, intact, to change the fortunes of war.

This book was so fantastic. I really enjoyed reading through it, Submarine warfare has been one of my favorite topics for decades. Alexander Rose did a great job in bringing this chapter of military history to life. For those that really love military history, this book is going to be a top read for you this year.
This is a highly recommended read!

[Elmwoodblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read on many levels: sub tech nerd? Check. WW2 Allied intrigue and work at keeping a coalition fighting (and Russians dying)? Check. Inside Hitler/Nazi death spiral denial? Check.

Beyond that, a well written story of personalities on both sides of the battle for the Atlantic, with sacrifices to go around and both believers and straw-men portrayed for what they were. In war, nobody wins.

[Megon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and thorough book. It was a history, and entertaining one, but based more on facts than excitement. It felt like an inside view of the war. Very good, and I liked how the author gave facts and information and didn't try to dehumanize one side or another. I did get this book from goodreads.

[Amanda Lenhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've toured the actual U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago many times. Each time I visited the museum I learned a little more about the German submarine. Reading this book gave me even more of the background of the submarine it's history and capture. It also gave me the answer as to why the sub now resides in Chicago.

[Brian Manby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life got in the way so I started, stopped and restarted this book in between two “easier” reads over the last 3 months. It’s a cool story that I’m glad I read, but the author’s tendency to always “interrupt” the suspense he builds about XYZ event to create a cliffhanger got a little exhausting. Still, a fun read that taught me a lot more about naval warfare.

[John A Doherty Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew everything about U 505 but I was wrong

Well written and well researched. Enjoyed the book immensely. After reading the book I want to revisit the submarine with the new knowledge I obtained from the book

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally interesting. Read it in two days!!!

[Steve Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read about the capture of the U Boat 505, but also the history of the U Boat battle of the Atlantic during WW2

[Tom Pluchar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read about the courage and cunning of the US Navy in WW II. I have so much respect for our men & women in the military who put themselves in harm’s way.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of a part of Naval history that I knew little about.