The Last Command: The U-boat Series

U-Boat #4

by Edwyn Gray

The war was entering its final phase and the Allied net was closing ever more tightly round the remnants of the Reich. Now the hunter became the hunted and, as each man was forced to admit to himself that the end was inevitable, it was equally inevitable that each should look to his own salvation. Korvettenkapitan Bergman knew very well that Oberleutenant Karl Zetterling had something to hide but at a time when suspicion was every man’s shadow it was vital to move with the utmost caution. Why did Bergman not want Zetterling to carry out the job he had been sent to do? And what was Bergman himself trying to hide? With the skill which those who have read Action Atlantic and Tokyo Torpedo will have come to expect of him, Edwyn Gray brilliantly recreates the atmosphere of the deadly battle beneath the waves which Korvettenkapitan Konrad Bergman has waged for four years with unrivaled success. But his last command was to be the most dramatic of all.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Edwyn Gray is a British author who specialises in naval writing. Educated at the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, Gray read economics at the University of London and then joined the British civil service. His writing career began in 1953 when he started writing for magazines. His first book was published in 1969, and he became a full-time writer in 1980.

Reviews

[Nadienne Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting little series of stories involving a German U-Boat commander near and at the end of World War Two. I wouldn't really call it a novel as much as I would a series of four separate stories involving generally the same character weakly woven together in an overarching narrative of the war.

And, of course, it grossly glosses over the dark side of Nazi Germany.

In the end, the main character *spoilers* is directly responsible for the death of Hitler (well, the real Hiter - read the book), but in a very anti-climactic and kind of silly way - condemning dozens of other, arguably "innocent" people to death in the process. "Collateral damage" I guess.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller from start to finish. I'm sorry that this was the last book in this series very well written.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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