Customer Reviews

"Execute against Japan": The U.S. Decision to Conduct Unrestricted Submarine Warfare (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Holwit demonstrates a thorough understanding of this period of history, and offers valuable insight into one of the most controversial decisions made by our government in a wartime situation. Moreover, his style is layman-friendly and riveting as he builds his case. Although the subject is a specialized topic, Mr. Holwit has crafted an interesting and compelling book with broad appeal.

For anyone puzzled how the United States came to a total reversal in attitude toward the legitimacy of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, this will explain it as well as it likely will ever be explained. The author has researched the subject thoroughly and articulates well in unsophisticated language. He exposes the entanglements a nation can get itself into by idealistic politicians and leagalistic leaders. This is a refreshing work by a very skilled writer.
Another worthy work on the same subject is Diplomatic Ramifications of Unrestricted Submarine Warfare, 1939-1941, by Janet M. Manson (ISBN 0-313-26894-0). It walks the reader well through the German experience in both wars, however, it lacks the depth of America's decision making process going into World War II. Holwitt's book, therefore makes a good compliment.

Having grown up reading books on World War II submarines and watching all the great movies in the same vein, I felt I knew a lot about the history of the Silent Service. Boy was I wrong. What I know just bubbles at the top; this book gets deep into the mire of the rules of engagement in sinking merchant ships, covering the reasons Wilson had the USA enter WWI, his theory of totally open seas for merchant ships, to the thinking of the Navy, their ignored advice about the 1919 peace conference; the Washington Naval treaty and other aspects of international law in regards to waging war by means of submarines. Writings by submariners like Hyman Rickover on how to conduct war are ignored by the politicians; the theory of cruiser rules, to stop the merchant vessel and order the crew off before engaging it, a concept that would have been idiotic in our effort to choke Japan from its food and essential materials for conducting military operations and certianly would have lead to the loss of more of our subs. I enjoyed this book, an easy read for one with a historical bent, and I think it proves once again that military men are not morons or cretins, but seriously debate and think about how to pursue their duties.

I am the proud wife and mother-in-law of two of our Navy's finest submarine officers. Anything I know about the history of the submarine force I gleaned from conversation with them. As I read Lt Holwitt's book I was impressed by the meticulous detail with which he traced the sequence of events leading up to the decision to execute unrestricted submarine warfare on December 7, 1941. I found that to be interesting and enlightening. In the course of detailing those events, Lt Holwitt also gave insight into the evolution of the submarine and the brave men who manned them. I found myself dismayed at the conditions under which these men performed their duty and the danger they lived with every day. It is exciting to read about their courage and daring, rising to meet the challenges of war and winning the day. As I mentioned, I am so proud of our submariners and as a result of reading Lt Holwitt's book, I am even more in awe of the submariners who sacrificed everything and set the standard for today's submarine force.

For you submariners out there, "Execute against Japan" by Joel Holwitt is a must read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is not a history of the submarine war against Japan but rather a history of how the United States came to execute unrestricted commerce warfare against Japan from day one of the Pacific War. The United States had gone to war with Germany in protest of unrestricted submarine warfare only 24 years before and maintained that stand throughout the interwar years. Quite a "volte-face" which I had not given much thought about previously.
The author is an active duty submariner and I believe this book was derived from his PhD thesis but unlike some such works, this one is quite readable. I recommend it.