Torpedo Junction: U-Boat War Off America's East Coast, 1942

by Homer Hickam

In 1942 German U-boats turned the shipping lanes off Cape Hatteras into a sea of death. Cruising up and down the U.S. eastern seaboard, they sank 259 ships, littering the waters with cargo and bodies. As astonished civilians witnessed explosions from American beaches, fighting men dubbed the area "Torpedo Junction." And while the U.S. Navy failed to react, a handful of Coast Guard sailors scrambled to the front lines. Outgunned and out-maneuvered, they heroically battled the deadliest fleet of submarines ever launched. Never was Germany closer to winning the war.
In a moving ship-by-ship account of terror and rescue at sea, Homer Hickam chronicles a little-known saga of courage, ingenuity, and triumph in the early years of World War II. From nerve-racking sea duels to the dramatic ordeals of sailors and victims on both sides of the battle, Hickam dramatically captures a war we had to win--because this one hit terrifyingly close to home.

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Homer Hickam (also known as Homer H. Hickam, Jr.) is the author of many best-sellers including his latest, Don't Blow Yourself Up. An eclectic writer, he wrote the "Coalwood Series," which includes the # 1 New York Times best-selling memoir Rocket Boys, (made into the ever-popular movie October Sky) the World War II-era "Josh Thurlow" series, the juvenile sci-fi "Crater" series, the adult thriller The Dinosaur Hunter, the romantic Red Helmet, and many others. Among his many writing awards are the University of Alabama's Clarence Cason Award and the Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award plus an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Marshall University. For more information on Mr. Hickam and his books and cats and everything else, please go to http://www.homerhickam.com.

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I feared would be a rather dry and dull read turned out to be one of the most exciting books I have read about the U-boat menace. It is about the Kriegsmarine Operation Drumbeat, the attack on Allied shipping of the American eastern seaboard in early 1942 following the German declaration of war on the USA. But, Hickam makes the story more personal here by following this part of the war through the actions of the US Coast Guard cutter Dione and her men mainly based of Cape Hatteras. He interweaves her story beautifully with the actions and sinking of other ships and takes you to sea with all these ships and men, and no details are spared doing so. Following the Dione, the author also illustrates how they went from inexperienced fighting sailors to combat veterans in their fight against the U-boats and how they drove them out in the end, which reflects the growth of the American forces at the time. Great read and highly recommended!!

[John Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written dramatic and engrossing story of a little known World War 2 seagoing battle directly off the eastern coast of America. I first learned of this story while vacationing on Cape Hatteras Island, the Grand Banks of N.C. The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum tells the story of German U-boats sinking many merchant vessels, unopposed in 1942 within weeks of our declaration of war. For the Germans this was a shooting gallery.

The book describes Rear Admiral Andrews with responsibilities over the eastern coast of America and the protection of merchant vessels transporting north and south important cargos for the war effort. He is one of the heroes of this story, in a constant push to get his superiors to change strategies and provide necessary assets to engage in more effective anti submarine warfare and develop a convoy strategy. At the time the public was not made aware until they began seeing exploding ships on fire, bodies on the beach and surfaced submarines just offshore.

Much of the story also centers around the Coast Guard Cutter Dione, its tireless captain, Lt. Alger and crew, (the Coast Guard comes under the U.S. Navy during war time). Of course, there are accounts of actions by other Navy and Coast Guard assets. This was an engrossing account describing chaotic sea battles in which 285 ships were attached and 258 sunk. The author expertly stitched together records from German, U.S Naval, Coast Guard and merchant sources to form a clear and very dramatic narrative. The story of Lt. Alger and his tireless pursuit of U-boats and the protection of merchant vessels reminded me of the great novel, The Good Shepard, by C.S. Forester.

Being a Coast Guard veteran and having read and enjoyed four other books by Homer Hickam, this was certainly a must read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and enjoyable book, not at all dry as I had feared. It concerns a little known, but important part of World War II history. During the first half of 1942 German U-Boats engaged in a turkey shoot of Allied shipping along the east coast of the United States, especially off the coast of North Carolina which became known as "Torpedo Junction". The U-Boats sank 259 allied ships over a few months, including many vitally important tankers. The US Navy and Coast Guard were out-gunned and totally ill prepared to deal with the problem. Things grew so bad that General George C. Marshall wrote in June 1942, "The losses by submarine off our Atlantic seaboard and in the Caribbean now threaten our entire war effort." Although covering the entire Atlantic seaboard, to make the story more personable the book especially follows the actions of the Coast Guard Cutter "Dione" which operated in the Cape Hatteras area off North Carolina, known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." During this period the Dione dropped more depth charges than any other ship. The story follows the progress made by the Dione from its first inept efforts to it began a formidable weapon. By late 1942 the U. S. anti-submarine efforts using convoys, escort ships and aircraft had improved to such an extent that the Germans were forced to largely withdraw their U-boats from the American coast. This is the story of the war against U-boats told through the eyes of the American seamen, the merchant seamen and the German U-boat skippers.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history book covering the U-2 German submarines and their dominance of the Atlantic seaboard at the beginning of WWII (the first six months of 1942). The Americans were not ready and really took a pounding until they found how to combat the subs. This begins very slowly but soon builds to a fascinating history. Highly recommended. It really helps that Hickam is a great writer.

[Robert K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not a Classic well-written book like a Dickens or Hemmingway piece. What Homer Hickman did is to inform an ignorant American public about a 6 month German military success at sea that nearly brought America and Great Britain to their knees. The German Navy, under Admiral Karl Doenitz took full advantage of America’s lack of preparedness under US Admiral Ernest King & sunk 23% (238 ships) of America’s merchant fleet & 5000 seamen. This was far more devastating than Pearl Harbor or anything the Japanese did to us in the Pacific. Hickman matter-of-Factly laid out the reality that NAZI Germany, not Japan, nearly brought us to our knees after Pearl Harbor. Only when Rear Admiral Adolphus Andrews, despite Admiral King, was given the support he needed from FDR’s Military Chief Of Staff, George C Marshall, was the German U Boat threat effectively controlled. It’s a part of US history that has been left untold undoubtably because of its display of gross misfeasance by the Roosevelt Administration’s Admiral King. Great information. Highly recommend...

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Information in this book. Is well written; really emphasized the tragedy of all the lord of life, and supplies. I enjoyed reading this was a great book. Anyone who followed the WWII would like this book.

Great Information in this book. Is well written; really emphasized the tragedy of all the lord of life, and supplies. I enjoyed reading this was a great book. Anyone who followed the WWII would like this book.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a blow by blow accounting of the battle against German u-boats that operated off America’s east coast for much of 1942. After fumbling around for months with increasing losses of merchant ships, the Navy finally figured out how to limit the damage by using convoys and eventually starting to sink the subs themselves. With the war raging in Europe and increases losses of subs, Germany finally pulled out. I was unaware of this whole piece of WWII history till I read this book.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The U-boat sinking of Allied tankers & cargo ships with very little opposition in early 1942. This began to change by April and by July, the Nazis had given up attacking ships from New Orleans , around Florida and up the southeast coast. Author did good research of records & Coast Guardsmen's diaries.

[Judy Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a different author, this could have been dry as dust. With this author, it was history that came alive. I cannot imagine the amount of research it took to gather all the detail and then to weave the details into such a thoroughly engaging story. If you have an interest in World War II, I recommend this book because it covers a part of the war that’s pretty well hidden away.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, I have dove on the wreck of U352 and to read about it being sunk was very bizarre. The book relayed how bad things were in the early years and gave a good idea on how difficult it was for the coasties

[Craig Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the year of the U-Boat war on the Atlantic coast in 1942. Great personal stories, and well covered maps and lists. The narrative lacks sometimes but overall it is all tied together in a very readable format.

[Matt Stebbins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes this book seemed like an endless list of tankers sunk by U-Boats. While it seemed to be thoroughly researched and the author did his best to create a dramatic narrative, the reality of the events made this a fairly bleak read. Glad to have read it and also glad to be moving on.

[Brett Herford-Fell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and detailed. Sometimes you get a bit lost, ship after ship after ship. You feel frustrated at the US response, but overall you walk away with a piece of history burned into your head which is fascinating and has many lessons embedded in it to learn.

[Tim Ganotis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, obviously heavily researched, though quite repetitive. UBoat shows up, sinks merchant ship, leaves, US forces can't find them. That happens for about ¾ of the book. Interesting history of the war taking place just off the east coast of the US.

[Larry Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you like world war 2 history, this is a well written account of a little known (to me) facet.

[Jason]

If you like reading books on wwII this is a great book. I knew very little history of the german uboats attacking merchant ships of the coast of north carolina.

[Roger Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the CAP reading list. Clear but too concise for the events concerned. Aimed at the general public. Still a worth while read for those with out considerable reading on WWII naval operations.

[Stacy Halley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandfather served in the Coast Guard on the Dione, and this was a wonderful book to learn more about his years in the service.

[Ben Arant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written narrative about a little known battle in WWII. Worth a read for any WWII or maritime enthusiast.

[Tegan Lillesol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love buying and reading these types of books.
Boats, yachts, historical events and books about the sea are generally excellent. If there are sequels in your series, I would love to read them.

The beauties of owning the books of important authors cannot be discussed. I'm looking forward to your new books.

For friends who want to read this book, I leave the importance of reading a book here. I wish good luck to the sellers and customers...

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[Dave Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Graveyard of the Atlantic roiled

I was familiar with this book and planned to read it down the road. However my in-laws passed off the book at the beginning of summer and, as I was studying some of the wrecks off the North Carolina Outer Banks in preparation for my upcoming release, This Day In Pirate History, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to dive in.

The book concentrates on a six month period beginning in January 1942, fresh on the heels of the attack at Pearl Harbor and America's entry into World War II. As the U.S. Navy was engaged in reconstituting its decimated Pacific Fleet and preparing to take on the Japanese Imperial Navy, Nazi Germany shifted its deadly submarine Wolfpacks away from the North Sea and English coast into America's tanker and cargo ship rich Atlantic Seaboard and Gulf Coast.

Initially concentrating on the deadly waters off the coast of Hatteras to the Canadian coast, the opening months found the German sub fleet virtually devoid of resistance save a few brave but tactically and strategically limited Coast Guard and civilian volunteers aboard yachts and fishing trawlers in a seemingly futile effort to challenge the seasoned submariners.


Yet as winter yielded to Spring and Summer, U.S. Naval Command had to face the reality of fighting its ships on two fronts, relying on their ability to adapt and stand up to and push back against the German sub fleet, employing both civilian and military maritime and air assets which eventually turned the tide against the pride of the German Navy.

While this book could have been hobbled by a dense recitation of engagements, Hickam possesses great storytelling instincts making the book at times feel like fiction straight out of Tom Clancy's archives. As well as a first rate researcher and historian, Hickam has a novelist's talent making each encounter an exciting vignette which all meshes together to demonstrate the resilience and stubborn resolve of the United States fighting force.

This book is very personal to me in that, not only do I live among those ever shifting sandbars of the North Carolina Outer Banks and now have a greater understanding of the numerous landmarks and monuments that commemorate these storied and tragic months, but as a member of the defense community, I play a small part in continuing this legacy of vigilance at the far edge of America. Hickam's poignant storytelling connects me to those brave predecessors who fought and died to keep America's shores safe.

[Jon Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased my copy of this book in paperback at the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station Historic Site on the Outer Banks of North Carolina while visiting the region in November of 2021. As it turns out, the Homer Hickam who wrote this book is the same Homer Hickam who wrote "Rocket Boys" which I have also read. This book tells the story of the intense naval battle off America's east coast and in the Gulf of Mexico during 1942. Just a few weeks after the US entered WW2, Germany deployed U-boats to America's east coast, where initially the US Navy and Coast Guard were woefully undermanned, underequipped, and undertrained to counter this threat. The U-boats sank dozens of ships with impunity, many within sight of shore. As the weeks went by and the losses mounted, the U-boats were also sent into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico to wreak havoc. Gradually the USN and USCG antisubmarine forces were bolstered with additional sailors, ships, and aircraft, and employed new tactics to battle the U-boats, so that the tide of the battle was turned against the U-boats by the fall. Hickam tells this sweeping story in detail, often from the point of view of individuals on both sides of the conflict. He uses the experiences of the crew of the Coast Guard ship "Dione" during this period to illustrate the dangers and challenges faced by US sailors during this hard-fought battle. The writing is accessible and for me this was a quick and enjoyable read. The book "Operation Drumbeat" by Michael Gannon also tells the story of this crucial naval battle off America's shores, but I prefer the Hickam book for its emphasis on the stories and experiences of individuals. The book has extensive maps and appendices. Four out of five stars.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the spring of 1942, German U-Boats made their way to the East Coast, stalking the Outer Banks in North Carolina. This was part of an operation implemented by Rear Admiral Donitz to take advantage of the United States while they were still unprepared for war and reeling from the attack on Pearl Harbor the previous December. A weakened United States Navy was a prime target. They sank merchant vessels carrying resale goods, foods, and supplies without care. By June, they had sunk nearly 400 merchant and civilian vessels. United States civilians watched these ships explode from the shore. This area was named Torpedo Junction for all of the activity it received. Eventually, long range air patrols were started to detect submarine movements, anti submarine vessels were sent out with depth charges, and a coastal convoy was started. Rear Admiral Donitz recalled his submarines when his success in torment began to wane.

I had never heard about this place. I knew that there were U-Boats spotted around New York and New Jersey, but I had no idea they were as far south as North Carolina. I did learn that Cape Hatteras National Seashore is part of Torpedo Junction, so you can actually visit this location. There is a lot of other historical and cultural significance to this park, but I had no idea it was a World War II site as well and now have to add that on my travel list. I cannot imagine how wild it would be to go to the beach and just see ships blowing up. It's so scary to think about going down to the beach for a nice day and having submarines lurking offshore. This was a really informative book, and I am really glad that I found it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the books back cover: “The treacherous sea off the coast of North Carolina known for centuries as the “graveyard of the Atlantic,” was dubbed “torpedo junction” in World W II because of the deadly battle waged there by German submarines. By mid-1942 fewer than a dozen U-boats had sunk more Allied tonnage than the entire Japanese navy would claim in the Pacific. Details of the submarines’ highly successful attacks on merchant ships are recorded here in a fast-paced narrative that puts the reader in the midst of the action.”

This incredible story covers January 1942 to August 1942 and in those 8 months the “fewer than a dozen U-boats” mentioned above sank 285 ships while losing only 7 U-boats. These attacks occurred not only off the coast of North Carolina but both coasts of Florida and Louisiana and most were so close to land that targets were silhouetted against the gaily lit cities and highways of an oblivious population and US government. Fortunately for us, Hitler instead devoted his attention to land and sea warfare in and around mainland Europe. This book was a stunning revelation.

U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot, a shortening of U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot, a shortening of Unterseeboot, which means "undersea boat.”

[Eric Redinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book somewhat boring, despite the interesting subject material. The author mentions in the beginning of the book that the tales of U-boats sinking merchant vessels off the American coasts gets very repetitive and thus he tried to dramatize these accounts in his book. Frankly, he was correct that the tales got boring quickly, and his dramatic retellings fell flat. I would have preferred he highlighted a few of the interesting tales, while using his book to explain the background of American Atlantic shipping and history there of U-boat attacks, as well as provide more information about the Admirals and their contextual situation. I'd say something like half the book was simply repetitive tales.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fearful that the book would be a dull recounting of tonnage sunk, etc. Far from it. This book held my interest all 300+ pages, because the author told a number of stories within the story, vignettes of personalities, etc. He does so with pathos on those tragic scenes, and with great good humor, too. The chapter on the German saboteurs gave me a good belly-laugh - the ineptitude of the FBI and military intelligence. He also gives a great sense of the character of the U-boat skippers (he definitely has favorites) and I found his critical assessment of both King and Doenitz to be revealing. This book has me searching for other Hickam titles to read.

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book demonstrates yet again how firmly-held beliefs can be dangerously wrong. Our Navy steadily refused to acknowledge the threat that Nazi U-boats posed to freighters up and down our Atlantic coast in the early days of WWII after Pearl Harbor. Nazi sub commanders had unfettered freedom to track and sink freighters being silhouetted by vivid terrestrial public lighting all along the east coast. Our valiant Coast Guard knew how serious the threat really was but was required to fight their sleepy Navy counterparts who stubbornly refused to wake up and smell the coffee.

[Robert Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

--An easy read despite being a very depressing picture of America's preparation for WWII. Power struggles, lack of ships & planes on the Eastern seaboard, and the total lack of civilian cooperation as to lights all contributed to a massive toll on Allied shipping of essential food, fuel and raw products needed for the war effort. Had it continued . . . . --

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Hickam's earliest works. A well researched account of the German U-boat attacks in 1942. Used as a basis for his fiction work, The Keeper's Son, the book provides a blow by blow account of the one sided battle fought by the very amateurish Americans and the highly professional Germans. After months of trial and error, the Americans learned and eventually succeeded. Very well done.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book about a part of WWII that usually doesn't get a lot of coverage. My hats off to those brave men who had a very hard job; with little or no help. They persevered and made a difference. I recommend this book.