Torpedoes Away! (Annotated): Our Submarine Navy in the Pacific

by Maxwell Hawkins

Torpedoes Away! details US Navy submarine operations during the first 18 months of World War Two. Author Maxwell Hawkins breathlessly covers the tense, dangerous missions of submarines USS Trout, Sea Raven, Pollack, Skipjack and Cuttlefish . Between these first-hand reports stitched-together from interviews with crewmen, Hawkins describes the mechanical workings of submarines, as well as the history of submersibles beginning in the 17th Century. He spent over a year sifting through the archives of the Navy Department and conducted extensive interviews with many veteran submariners about their experiences in the Pacific during World War Two. The result is a classic study of underwater warfare, a must read for military historians and World War 2 buffs.

*Includes footnotes.

*Digital edition includes official photographs from World War 2.

157 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Wayne Slaughter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful! Amateurish.

[Robert W Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Grace

Our navy had a very bad st art to surface action in WW2 but our submarines made up for r it. Until the surface navy was brought up to speed and began having success the submarines brought the war, successfully, to the enemy. It was a long while into the war before our air arm was able to succeed over the Japanese pilots who had had years of experience but the American subs were successful almost from the first day. This book, through exhaustive interviews with submarines, brings out the heroism and successes of very many boats. An interesting read and well researched.

[Young Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as a Thanksgiving gift for a veteran friend of mine who is into underwater warfare. He finished the book in a day and loved it tremendously. Torpedoes Away! is indeed a great gift for those who are war weaponry connoisseurs and enjoy reading the mechanical workings of submarines and the history of submersibles. A perfect Holiday gift for veterans.

[Dennis E. Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good set of stories about different boats and their crews and how they survived WWII

Good set of stories about our underwater Navy and what they did to save many lives of our guys fighting in the Pacific by cutting off Japanese troop replacements, food and fighting equipment. They were small teams making up a fighting ship that was pretty much fighting on its own all the time

[John P. Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read

Pretty good read . The author barely touched on the topic of bad torpedoes at the wars start. Considering all the torpedo failures and misses, these stories are quite impressive.

[James R. Jetton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good well researched book about actions by submarines in early pacific war effort.

The description of the typical layout of the submarine was quite good .
The actions, stress on crews, pay and special treatment was mentioned because of stress.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone who has an interest in U.S. Naval History.

Enjoyed the book very much. Filled with exciting stories about various submarine patrols in World War 2 and also a chapter on submarine history.

[Chris Basis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not The Best

Marginal history of the US submarine service in the Pacific Theatre. Read a lot more like a creative writing assignment, which took away from my enjoyment. The topic is interesting enough on its own. No need to fall in love with your own writing.

[john trester · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I think of all the sea stories I have read throughout the years, this book has got to be in bottom of the pile. I would not recommend it except as punishment for being tardy. What a snoozer. The editor needs to be fired. Like walking through deep mud.

[Dan Fornataro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginner's submarine book

This is an excellent book for someone looking to gather information and knowledge of our submarine history from its beginnings and into its brilliant WWII accomplishments.

[Scott Winegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is here now

A well-written historical story of the submarine service easy to read and could have read more if available. A story of men.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read about 50 pages. Had to quit. Amateur. Only informative if only thing you knew about submarines is that they are good sandwiches. Disappointing.

[Barbara J. Stepens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting info re sub battles

Close calls, topside and below very brave men fought and won in difficult situations.
Hats off to the men of submarines!

[James Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn about ice on a sub.

Pretty interesting, but portrays many boring sub patrols. Did not discuss issue of torpedo failures which was a big problem in WW2.

[Mike Garitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always it is hard to imagine what our military suffered through in war.The men of the sub service could not run but had to fight from a tomb.Bless all those who gave it all.

[Peter Fortier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly accurate

An extremely interesting example of our subs during World Warriors II. However, after several years of submarine duty there is a lack of accuracy in some instances.