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Flight of the U-463
Execution or Escape...
the Flight for Freedom
In the dark days before World War II, a young American named Peter Teufel makes the fateful decision to remain in Europe as the clouds of war descend. Steamrolled by the Nazi onslaught and mistaken for a German citizen, he finds himself conscripted into the vaunted German Navy. Forced to serve on a U-boat, his odds of escaping back to America are slim. If his true identity is discovered, he would be executed as a spy.
Peter must find a way to escape, yet he is thwarted at every turn. Hounded by a brutal Nazi, Klaus Lübeck, who suspects that Peter is not what he appears to be, the American avoids detection at all costs. A chance meeting with the head of German Military Intelligence, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, may just be the key to his deliverance. With the odds of escaping stacked against him, the young American devises a bold and daring plan. Once in motion, there is no turning back.
the Flight for Freedom
In the dark days before World War II, a young American named Peter Teufel makes the fateful decision to remain in Europe as the clouds of war descend. Steamrolled by the Nazi onslaught and mistaken for a German citizen, he finds himself conscripted into the vaunted German Navy. Forced to serve on a U-boat, his odds of escaping back to America are slim. If his true identity is discovered, he would be executed as a spy.
Peter must find a way to escape, yet he is thwarted at every turn. Hounded by a brutal Nazi, Klaus Lübeck, who suspects that Peter is not what he appears to be, the American avoids detection at all costs. A chance meeting with the head of German Military Intelligence, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, may just be the key to his deliverance. With the odds of escaping stacked against him, the young American devises a bold and daring plan. Once in motion, there is no turning back.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2019
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September 3, 2020
In the late 1930s, Peter Teufel, the son of an American diplomat based in Berlin, is working toward the end of his studies in mechanical engineering in Stuttgart. As the political climate changes in Germany, his parents decide the time is right to return to the US. Teufel, close to his degree, refuses to leave, believing his parent are overreacting.
After an Embassy event, he happens upon two men attempting to assault the underaged daughter of a Nazi Abwehr (intelligence) chief, Canaris. For that rescue, Canaris provides him with a pass and also (oddly, to me) a German passport. This allows Teufel the ability to travel, mostly unimpeded.
Teuful happens to be in Danzig, Poland, on September 1, 1939, with a photographer from the AP, when the Germans roll across the border. She, having taken what may be the only non-German photos of the event, leaves, and he follows.
He finishes his degree, and, not yet ready to leave Germany - who can blame him, since Berlin, pre-Nazi, was a hub of culture and business - decides to travel around Europe for awhile before deciding what to do next. Since he speaks fluent German and French (as well as Japanese), it is fairly easy for him to do.
His luck runs out in France. While using a winery as a base for his travels, and working as a mechanic there, the Nazis roll in and take it over as their base. When they mistake Teufel as a German, instead of correcting them, he simply goes along, and finds himself conscripted into the German navy, and more specifically, to the U-boat fleet.
What follows is his life aboard the boats, and his plans of escaping. The plans are always scuttled by one thing or another - reassignment, a lockdown on the port, and so on.
Together with a frustrated German lieutenant who is ready to leave the navy after not receiving command of a boat, he plots an escape that literally spans the globe.
My quibbles with the book are not the history - as a student of history, particularly WWII and the European theater, the details are there. An issue I had is that Teufel, for the most part, seems incredibly immature, and despite his gift for language and mechanics, not bright in other ways: it would not - and did not - take a genius to see what was happening in Germany as the 1930s came to a close. I understand rebelling against your parents, but a young man through college should have shaken that out of his system by then. That he fails at every turn before it is too late to identify himself as an American strikes me as rather odd, and makes me wonder what he thought would happen. That he might be permitted to simply stay, without a job, no support, to witness WWII from within Germany?
The other issue I had was that the book just sort of....stopped. Without revealing the ending itself, I can't say more than that, but it almost seemed as if the author reached a certain endpoint he'd set, and since he had reached it, ended there.
Overall, a solid three out of five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and PInger Publishing for the reading copy.
After an Embassy event, he happens upon two men attempting to assault the underaged daughter of a Nazi Abwehr (intelligence) chief, Canaris. For that rescue, Canaris provides him with a pass and also (oddly, to me) a German passport. This allows Teufel the ability to travel, mostly unimpeded.
Teuful happens to be in Danzig, Poland, on September 1, 1939, with a photographer from the AP, when the Germans roll across the border. She, having taken what may be the only non-German photos of the event, leaves, and he follows.
He finishes his degree, and, not yet ready to leave Germany - who can blame him, since Berlin, pre-Nazi, was a hub of culture and business - decides to travel around Europe for awhile before deciding what to do next. Since he speaks fluent German and French (as well as Japanese), it is fairly easy for him to do.
His luck runs out in France. While using a winery as a base for his travels, and working as a mechanic there, the Nazis roll in and take it over as their base. When they mistake Teufel as a German, instead of correcting them, he simply goes along, and finds himself conscripted into the German navy, and more specifically, to the U-boat fleet.
What follows is his life aboard the boats, and his plans of escaping. The plans are always scuttled by one thing or another - reassignment, a lockdown on the port, and so on.
Together with a frustrated German lieutenant who is ready to leave the navy after not receiving command of a boat, he plots an escape that literally spans the globe.
My quibbles with the book are not the history - as a student of history, particularly WWII and the European theater, the details are there. An issue I had is that Teufel, for the most part, seems incredibly immature, and despite his gift for language and mechanics, not bright in other ways: it would not - and did not - take a genius to see what was happening in Germany as the 1930s came to a close. I understand rebelling against your parents, but a young man through college should have shaken that out of his system by then. That he fails at every turn before it is too late to identify himself as an American strikes me as rather odd, and makes me wonder what he thought would happen. That he might be permitted to simply stay, without a job, no support, to witness WWII from within Germany?
The other issue I had was that the book just sort of....stopped. Without revealing the ending itself, I can't say more than that, but it almost seemed as if the author reached a certain endpoint he'd set, and since he had reached it, ended there.
Overall, a solid three out of five stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and PInger Publishing for the reading copy.
February 23, 2020
I received a free copy of “Flight of the U-463” from Net Galley in return for an honest review.
I thought that this was an intriguing thriller with a different story line . At first, I had my doubts
at what the author intended and if he could make it work. Well, he did , giving what all readers desire, a good yarn, an interesting character, and a dangerous, despicable villain.
The book begins in late 1938 just as Nazi Germany invades the Sudetenland , a fact that American Peter Teufel, an engineering student in Germany, completely approves. Peter, the son of a high-ranking diplomat of the American Embassy in Berlin has grown up in Germany and influenced by his German fellow students who are happy with Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy of repatriating territories lost as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
As the year ends, Peter is informed by his father that he is retiring, returning to the USA and taking home his wife and Peter. His father says that he is sure that a war is about to break out. A row ensues as Peter refuses to leave Germany, regardless of another European war. Family ties are strained when his father and mother depart for home in the spring and Peter goes off to tour France.
So far, Peter seems more than a bit naive. But that soon changers as events overtake him. With the invasion of Poland, then of France, where Peter is working at a vineyard soon finds himself conscripted as a forced laborer building U-boats. With his fluency in the language, his Aryan appearance and name the authorities think he is a German National. With his engineering degree, his skills are needed. Before long he finds himself in a U-boat as a crewman. What can he do but go along? As an enemy, he would be considered a spy and shot of his true self was revealed. He has to carry on a dangerous game.
I had my doubts that the author , Timothy Donald Pilmoier, could make could make the details of the plot work for long, but he did. Peter grows into well- written character with a conflicted set of problems in a dangerous situation. It is obvious that the author, did his homework, because his technical details of life as a crewman in a submarine ring true, as do his descriptions of German naval etiquette, procedures and command structure. But those things are the supporting structure for a very good human story of a young man who has to grow up fast, and learn to play a duplicitous game of survival until he can somehow find a way to escape. But how can he escape from a boat miles at sea, confined to the narrow tube of a submarine, surrounded by men who are his comrades and also his enemies? It makes for a compelling read.
In the end the plot works. “ The Flight of the u-463 is a short , well written thriller that has great appeal. There is just enough realist military detail to make things work, but the reader is never dowsed in jargon. Peter is an appealing character whose predicament is absorbing. The tension in the book builds to a finely constructed climax that is satisfying and believable. Kudos to the author for coming up with something different in a crowded genre.
I have often wished that some book writers would cut a hundred pages and tighten up,their stories. But Mr. Pilmaier got this one just right.
Note: this was an advanced pre-published copy. Perhaps final edition will have an afterword but the author of how hw came up with Peter Tuefel’s adventures.
I thought that this was an intriguing thriller with a different story line . At first, I had my doubts
at what the author intended and if he could make it work. Well, he did , giving what all readers desire, a good yarn, an interesting character, and a dangerous, despicable villain.
The book begins in late 1938 just as Nazi Germany invades the Sudetenland , a fact that American Peter Teufel, an engineering student in Germany, completely approves. Peter, the son of a high-ranking diplomat of the American Embassy in Berlin has grown up in Germany and influenced by his German fellow students who are happy with Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy of repatriating territories lost as a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
As the year ends, Peter is informed by his father that he is retiring, returning to the USA and taking home his wife and Peter. His father says that he is sure that a war is about to break out. A row ensues as Peter refuses to leave Germany, regardless of another European war. Family ties are strained when his father and mother depart for home in the spring and Peter goes off to tour France.
So far, Peter seems more than a bit naive. But that soon changers as events overtake him. With the invasion of Poland, then of France, where Peter is working at a vineyard soon finds himself conscripted as a forced laborer building U-boats. With his fluency in the language, his Aryan appearance and name the authorities think he is a German National. With his engineering degree, his skills are needed. Before long he finds himself in a U-boat as a crewman. What can he do but go along? As an enemy, he would be considered a spy and shot of his true self was revealed. He has to carry on a dangerous game.
I had my doubts that the author , Timothy Donald Pilmoier, could make could make the details of the plot work for long, but he did. Peter grows into well- written character with a conflicted set of problems in a dangerous situation. It is obvious that the author, did his homework, because his technical details of life as a crewman in a submarine ring true, as do his descriptions of German naval etiquette, procedures and command structure. But those things are the supporting structure for a very good human story of a young man who has to grow up fast, and learn to play a duplicitous game of survival until he can somehow find a way to escape. But how can he escape from a boat miles at sea, confined to the narrow tube of a submarine, surrounded by men who are his comrades and also his enemies? It makes for a compelling read.
In the end the plot works. “ The Flight of the u-463 is a short , well written thriller that has great appeal. There is just enough realist military detail to make things work, but the reader is never dowsed in jargon. Peter is an appealing character whose predicament is absorbing. The tension in the book builds to a finely constructed climax that is satisfying and believable. Kudos to the author for coming up with something different in a crowded genre.
I have often wished that some book writers would cut a hundred pages and tighten up,their stories. But Mr. Pilmaier got this one just right.
Note: this was an advanced pre-published copy. Perhaps final edition will have an afterword but the author of how hw came up with Peter Tuefel’s adventures.
September 18, 2021
Author Timothy Donald Pilmaier published the novel “The Flight of U-463” in 2019. This is his first publication.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains violence, mature language, and mature situations. The primary character is Peter Teufel.
Teufel is just finishing an engineering degree in Stuttgart when the story begins. He is the son of a US diplomat and has lived in both Japan and Germany. Teufel was in each long enough to be very familiar with the languages and customs. Against the wishes of his parents, he remains in Germany to finish his degree when they return home to the US.
Teufel graduates in December of 1939 and decides to spend some time touring Europe. He cannot imagine being in any danger from Germany. Teufel is fluent in French and finds a job in a French vineyard. When the Germans invade, they believe he is a native.
He is conscripted with other Frenchmen to work in Germany. After helping to build U-boats, he is drafted into the Kriegsmarine. He ends up serving aboard the vessel he has recently helped build. His language skills lead to his assignment to a U-boat heading to the Pacific. With this, his true adventure really begins. In all this, Teufel even has time for a little romance.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 299-page WWII thriller. The 20-year-old Teufel character meets important people. He also has one far-fetched adventure after another. I thought that the novel was a fun read! The cover art is a bit dull but reasonable for the story. I rate this novel as a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains violence, mature language, and mature situations. The primary character is Peter Teufel.
Teufel is just finishing an engineering degree in Stuttgart when the story begins. He is the son of a US diplomat and has lived in both Japan and Germany. Teufel was in each long enough to be very familiar with the languages and customs. Against the wishes of his parents, he remains in Germany to finish his degree when they return home to the US.
Teufel graduates in December of 1939 and decides to spend some time touring Europe. He cannot imagine being in any danger from Germany. Teufel is fluent in French and finds a job in a French vineyard. When the Germans invade, they believe he is a native.
He is conscripted with other Frenchmen to work in Germany. After helping to build U-boats, he is drafted into the Kriegsmarine. He ends up serving aboard the vessel he has recently helped build. His language skills lead to his assignment to a U-boat heading to the Pacific. With this, his true adventure really begins. In all this, Teufel even has time for a little romance.
I enjoyed the 6.5+ hours I spent reading this 299-page WWII thriller. The 20-year-old Teufel character meets important people. He also has one far-fetched adventure after another. I thought that the novel was a fun read! The cover art is a bit dull but reasonable for the story. I rate this novel as a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
April 24, 2020
I went between a 4 and 5 star, but finally decided 5 stars. The reason I was thinking about 4 stars, is because I wanted the book to go on a little longer. But, the book is so well written, I went with 5 stars. The book is about an American that gets mistaken as a German during WWII in France. A very intriguing Historical thriller. The facts are very accurate in this book. Pilmaier took time researching and getting things right.
Peter Teufel, an American Ambassadors' son, wants to complete his final year of college in Stuttgart, Germany at the beginning of WWII. His father is retiring and going back to America. Peter ignores his father's warnings, thinking he knows what is best. After all, he is 21 and he's an adult. He can stay in Germany, because all they want is their land from Czechoslovakia. He finds out, how wrong he is.
How does Peter end up on a submarine? Will he ever get out of occupied German territory? Will he ever be able to make it back to America, before he is found out?
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to them, the publisher and Pilmaier for the Kindle version of the book.
Peter Teufel, an American Ambassadors' son, wants to complete his final year of college in Stuttgart, Germany at the beginning of WWII. His father is retiring and going back to America. Peter ignores his father's warnings, thinking he knows what is best. After all, he is 21 and he's an adult. He can stay in Germany, because all they want is their land from Czechoslovakia. He finds out, how wrong he is.
How does Peter end up on a submarine? Will he ever get out of occupied German territory? Will he ever be able to make it back to America, before he is found out?
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks to them, the publisher and Pilmaier for the Kindle version of the book.
January 17, 2020
This is an engaging, easy, quick read.....considering it's historical & technical accuracy! It tells a really plausible story of how things could've happened in the time of WWII Germany. I thought the author really accurately described the mechanical aspects/details, & liked that he used real historical characters. I'd think this could be made into a good movie! Good characters (good & bad!) & good action!
I received this e-book from Pinger Publishing via NetGalley, offering to read it & post my own fair & honest review.
I received this e-book from Pinger Publishing via NetGalley, offering to read it & post my own fair & honest review.
November 21, 2020
This is an interesting WWII adventure that covers lots of historical information in an easy-to-read novel. Basically it is the story of a young American student that through his own stubbornness gets caught in war time Germany and, in one random event after another, gets conscripted into the German navy and his perilous trek to return home. It's an enjoyable and fast read that taught me a bit of history as well as entertained.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
May 19, 2020
Review of Flight of the U-463:A Novel
Peter Teufel and his parents were in Germany before the start of WW II . His parents went back to the United States they wanted him to come with them but he wanted to finish college. After he finished college he traveled around Europe. He was in France learning the wine business when the Germans invaded France. He was confiscated into the German Navy building U-boats. Peter starts trying to plan to get back home.
Peter Teufel and his parents were in Germany before the start of WW II . His parents went back to the United States they wanted him to come with them but he wanted to finish college. After he finished college he traveled around Europe. He was in France learning the wine business when the Germans invaded France. He was confiscated into the German Navy building U-boats. Peter starts trying to plan to get back home.
May 24, 2020
Wow, I read many World War II books, and I can say this was not one of my favorites. The book has too much mechanical detail on how a submarine works. It was very hard to understand. The story line was interesting and that is what kept me reading. At the end of the book I thought I missed a page? What kind of ending was that?
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion,
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion,
December 10, 2020
Not my usual cup of tea
This book was recommended by a friend, and have to say I was pleasantly surprised! I like fiction, and some historical fiction, but wasnt sure this would be for me. However, there was an intriguing plot that kept my interest and I read it in two days. Enough technical details to describe, but didn't get overwhelmed in jargon. For a debut author, I am very impressed. I'm hoping there is a new book in the works, because I'll be anxious to read it!
This book was recommended by a friend, and have to say I was pleasantly surprised! I like fiction, and some historical fiction, but wasnt sure this would be for me. However, there was an intriguing plot that kept my interest and I read it in two days. Enough technical details to describe, but didn't get overwhelmed in jargon. For a debut author, I am very impressed. I'm hoping there is a new book in the works, because I'll be anxious to read it!
May 17, 2020
What is a young American to do when caught behind enemy lines in WWII Germany? Young Peter has remained in Germany to finish his education when WWII begins. Hiding as a German, he finds himself conscripted and stationed aboard a U-boat. So begins his journey to escape before he is discovered and executed as a spy. Can he make a daring escape or will he be caught?
August 31, 2020
I received a free copy through a Goodreads giveaway. This book was ok. Not great. Not terrible. The characters aren’t very dynamic or compelling and all of the action really seems to take place at the end of the book. It was an easy read and an interesting premise but there are SO MANY great historical fiction books set in this time frame. Why settle for just an ‘ok’ one?
February 26, 2020
Definitely a winner
Good writing, believeable characters and a well thought out out plot. Aside from a few minor discrepancies, well worth the read
Good writing, believeable characters and a well thought out out plot. Aside from a few minor discrepancies, well worth the read
March 1, 2020
Excellent Story
A great story that feels good. Enjoyable characters along with villains.
A fantasy that moves along without bogging down. Worth the time to read.
A great story that feels good. Enjoyable characters along with villains.
A fantasy that moves along without bogging down. Worth the time to read.
April 1, 2020
Beautiful WW 2 novel.
What a story. What great action.. Absolutely loved this book. Would love to see this made into a movie. I also need to see the next novel.
What a story. What great action.. Absolutely loved this book. Would love to see this made into a movie. I also need to see the next novel.
um-not-these-authors
May 10, 2020This sounds good and I really would have liked to have read it, but all the review padding just makes me too hopping mad.
May 20, 2020
A Daring Escape
An American student gets mixed up and goes on a terrible adventure. Luckily he has friends that assist him along the way until he can break free.
An American student gets mixed up and goes on a terrible adventure. Luckily he has friends that assist him along the way until he can break free.
May 24, 2020
Well written. Good plot with good characters.
June 7, 2020
Excellent book!!!
June 24, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and was not disappointed--I really enjoyed this story.
August 29, 2021
This is an interesting read. I love the premise, but the execution is off. There is a lot of repetition and unnecessary information while the ending left me wanting. 2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews