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Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic

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There has been great interest in the Museum of Science and Industry's current restoration of U-505. With perfect timing, this newly released book will help fill a gap in people's knowledge of the U-boat war in general, and U-505's remarkable history in particular.

Most people know U-505 was captured intact, and eventually became the chief exhibit at the MSI in Chicago. The fact that it was the first warship captured by the US Navy since the War of 1812, and the only warship captured during WWII, makes U-505 of great historic value. Stopping there, however, would sell the story short. Before and after its capture, the boat enjoyed an extremely interesting career. Most U-boats ended their war as final resting places for their crews or, if they were lucky, survived the war without any successes to speak of. Neither was true for U-505.

Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic, edited by Theodore P. Savas, is not just another "How U-505 was captured" story. Instead, it is a collection of chapters by some of the best U-boat historians writing today. Gathering them all together to write on this subject was a risky proposition, for many similar compendiums produce a disjointed and unfocused book of uneven quality. Theodore Savas, as an experienced editor and writer, has avoided these pitfalls by gathering the finest talent available and getting the best possible from each contributor. The various chapters fit seamlessly together and add substantially to the final product.

The greatest U-boat man alive today, Erich Topp (U-552), opens the book with a Foreword that is typically reflective of what the subject means for mankind. The other contributors are mostly well known to aficionados of U-boat books. Timothy Mulligan and Eric Rust in particular make welcome and long overdue returns (with Rust contributing a moving Introduction). Other familiar names are Lawrence Paterson, Jak Mallmann Showell and Jordan Vause. These veteran writers are joined by Mark Wise, a naval intelligence officer, and Keith Gill, U-505's curator in Chicago at the MSI.

The story of U-505 is shaped by two complex components: the type of U-boat it was, and the men that gave it life. The Type IX was a weapons system and thus the limitations and strengths of this system's design imparted a template for the successes and failures experienced by its crew. With great clarity and insight, Eric Rust writes of the corresponding strategic successes and failures of the larger picture of Type IX deployments in "No Target too Far: The Genesis, Concept, and Operations of Type IX U-boats in World War II."

While in some part mirroring the whole U-boat war, Type IXs in many respects enjoyed a separate experience apart from the war fought by the Type VIIs. Rust presents compelling arguments for what made Type IX operations unique in their repeated successes as the long reaching arm of the Kriegsmarine. Often misunderstood and underrated, the Type IX was a design that repaid astute deployment, even rating statistically better in some ways than the more famous Type VII. Well read U-boat fans and newcomers alike will find much of interest here, as Rust paves the way for the balance of the chapters that follow.

Like all warships, the organic component making up each individual u-boat was critical to its success. The close working relationships aboard these boats form a large part of the 'mystique' that intrigues so many of us. Timothy Mulligan shows why U-505 personified Karl Döntz's famous statement that a U-boat crew was a "community bound by fate." In a chapter of the same name, and in his customarily meticulous but easy style, Mulligan covers in depth the men who made up U-505's crew, their positions, and their changing makeup due to crew turnover during the boat's career. He cuts through the numbers and details to paint a clear picture of what was really going on in U-505 and the larger U-bootwaffe at different times as fortunes waxed and waned.

For readers who enjoyed Mulligan's masterful examination of the men of the U-bootwaffe in his book Neither Sharks Nor Wolves, this is a welcome repeat demonstration of his talent for seeing through numbers, names and dates and finding an underlying trend, a human side to the procession of more than 100 different men who served aboard U-505. Where Mulligan's book turns a scholar's eye to the whole community of submariners, this chapter focuses on the story of a single boat. As he concludes, the background and character of the men who crewed U-boats are not easily defined, and thus defy stereotyping.

Mulligan offers relevant insights into the background and personal stories of many who served on U-505. One hundred and fifteen officers and men were assigned to U-505. Unfortunately, there was not room to give them all mention, but the examples we see are representative in their variety. This section is a pivotal element to the book, for the events that follow are indeed those of a shared community, who like any other combat unit, had its fair share of ordinary men, enigmatic men, men who rose to the occasion, men who did their best, and some men who failed when put to the test. Mulligan also disproves the notion that U-505 was an unlucky boat, for most of the men who served on U-505 survived the war. For a service that suffered losses like no other before or since, that alone is a noteworthy observation.

Lawrence Paterson offers the next chapter, telling the story of U-505 from an operational point of view. "From Lion's Roar to Blunted Axe: The Combat Patrols of U-505" carries the readers along as the boat is launched, commissioned, worked up, and sent to the front to hunt allied shipping. Few people realize U-505 made several successful patrols before her last effort off the west coast of Africa. This is Paterson's expertise: bringing to life operational histories. Those who have read his First U-Boat Flotilla and Second U-boat Flotilla books will know what to expect: detailed, accurate narrative woven around anecdotes, facts, and official records from primary sources. Paterson is a prolific writer with three published books and a fourth on the way.

Paterson fans get a bonus chapter later in the book called "Collision Course: Task Group 22.3 and the Hunt for U-505," which tells about the final fateful encounter between the Allied hunters and the Axis U-boat. Savas made a good choice here, as Paterson always breathes life into operational details and "tells history" with ease.

Many readers are familiar with Ultra and the project to break the ciphers used by BdU to communicate with and control U-boat operations. Mark Wise and Jak Showell shed light on the lesser known story of the American side of the intelligence war. Wise is a signals intelligence specialist and much of what is offered in their joint chapter entitled "Deciphering the U-boat War: The Role of Intelligence in the Capture of U-505" was new to me.

Another overdue return to U-boat writing is Jordan Vause's contribution, a much needed analysis of the moments leading up to the capture of U-505 from the perspective of the Germans. "Desperate Decisions: The German Loss of U-505" offers an in depth examination of not just what happened at the time of the boat's capture, but why it happened. Vause shows us that actions and decisions have consequences, and some decisions lead irrevocably down a path that can't be altered. It is written in the typical Vause style.

The story of U-505 does not end with the boat's capture. I admit that initially I was a little dubious about the final section, but soon realized how wrong I was. Keith Gill, the boat's curator, tells a fascinating story of how U-505 escaped scrapping to become the MSI's star exhibit in "Project 356: U-505 and the Journey to Chicago." It was not, as many think, just simple matter of towing U-505 to Chicago and putting her on exhibit. Getting the boat there was nearly impossible, and Gill offers a gripping account of the constant on-the-edge failure, politics, bickering, money, egos, legal hassles, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Now you can find out the whole story. Gill makes it clear that we really are lucky the boat survived all the bureaucratic bungling to be preserved as a memorial for us all to see and ponder. Gill also casts aside the "unlucky boat" label often attached to U-505. After reading Hunt and Kill you will agree with him.

There are 3 maps of U-505's operational patrols and over 60 photos in Hunt and Kill. Comprehensive explanatory (and very interesting) notes and informative appendixes round off this well executed book. The writers are all perfectly suited for their topics, the subject is deeply interesting, and with current restoration and re-housing of U-505, the timing is perfect. Savas has once more assembled a star team of writers and together they have produced a winner. He also makes it clear that the book could not have been accomplished without their expertise.

If you are interested in U-boats or Naval History, Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic is a must have.

U-505 was the first enemy warship captured by the United States since the War of 1812. Much has been written about how Captain Daniel V. Gallery conceived of and successfully executed the plan that resulted in the capture of U-505. Hunt and Kill, from publisher Savas Beatie, is the first book to describe the complete history of U-505, from its commissioning as a warship in 1941 to its current status as an exhibit in Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

Hunt and Kill is a collection of essays by leading naval historians and U-boat scholars. Editor Savas has selected papers that, in telling the story of U-505, also give telling insight into Germany's Kriegsmarine and the Allied naval and intelligence forces that opposed it. The book includes a foreword by former U-boat commander Erich Topp and individual chapters on specific topics:

"No Target Too Far: The Genesis, Concept, and Operations of Type IX U-boats in World War II," by Eric C. Rust. This chapter describes the rebirth of Germany's U-boat arm following the first World War, the classes of boats that served in World War II, and the role of the Type IX boats as long-range commerce raiders.

"A Community Bound by Fate: The Crew of U-505," by Timothy Mulligan. This essay focuses on the officers and sailors that served on U-505, from its first war patrol in August, 1941 until its capture in June, 1944. In this brief span of time, U-505's crew served under three Commanding Officers: charismatic and successful Kapitänleutnant Axel-Olaf Loewe; autocratic Oberleutnant Peter Zschech (who shot himself during a depth-charge attack); and Oberleutnant Harald Lange, a former merchant marine officer.

"From Lion's Roar to Blunted Axe: The Combat Patrols of U-505," by Lawrence Paterson. This chapter covers U-505's eleven war patrols prior to its capture by Gallery's Task Force 22.3. In these patrols, U-505 sank eight ships totaling 44,962 tons.

"Deciphering the U-boat War: The Role of Intelligence in the Capture of U-505," by Mark E. Wise and Jak P. Mallman Showell. In addition to the usual background information on Enigma, Ultra, and the code breakers of Bletchley Park and ONI, this chapter describes how the Allied benefited from their technical examination of U-505; testing of the submarine's T-5 acoustic homing torpedoes; and interrogation of her crew.

"Collision Course: Task Force 22.3 and the Hunt for U-505," by Lawrence Paterson. This chapter describes U-505's twelfth patrol and the actions of Gallery's Task Force 22.3, culminating in U-505's capture on June 4, 1944. Even though he had U-505's position reports (thanks to Ultra), Gallery was unable to locate his prey. Ironically, Gallery's task force stumbled on U-505 while returning to port for fuel.

"Desperate Decisions: The German Loss of U-505," by Jordan Vause. In this event-by-event analysis of Oblt. Lange's fateful encounter with Gallery's Hunter-Killer Force, Vause tries to answer the question, "Instead of abandoning ship, should Lange have ordered the crew to stay on board and fight back?" He identifies eight key decisions made by U-505's officers and crew in the final minutes before the sub's capture. He concludes, "...with a little luck, a little grace, anyone in the boat - from Captain Lange to the lowest fireman - might have written a different ending to one of the most remarkable events in American maritime history."

"Project 356: U-505 and the Journey to Chicago," by Keith Gill. The final, and by far the longest, chapter in Hunt and Kill concerns what has happened to U-505 in the 40 years since its capture. It is a story of one man's determination to prevent the Navy from destroying the submarine and to, instead, make U-505 a memorial to America's (and his own) wartime achievements. It is also a story of political machinations over what city should get the boat (Chicago or Milwaukee) and squabbling over who should pay for the boat's repair, transportation and long-term maintenance (the Navy, or the receiving city). Most interesting (to a former nuclear submariner like myself) are the technical details of how U-505 was towed to through the Great Lakes, lifted from the water, transported across city streets, and finally mounted on a special foundation outside Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

I'm not usually reading "documentary" type books. however, this work certainly changes my views of what is possible. the material was presented in a coherent manner with one chapter building on the previous ones. the experience and knowledge of the various contributors along with the excellent editing developed an exciting storyline. the photo's were excellent as were the various appendices, which served to restate, in a differing format, what the previous chapters had touched upon.
i feel very knowledgeable about u-505 and much of the german submarine program. thanks for making this fine book available.

An excellent overview of the entire U-boat campaign. As one who was a personal friend of Hans Goebeler I can say that this is indeed a fitting tribute to him and all the combatants from both sides. This book will take you from the very depths of the ocean to labratories in England and the United States. Each section is a gold mine to the researcher, history buff, or model maker. The foreward by Eric Topp is a history lesson in itself. I Highly recommend this book. D. Clayton Meadows Author of "OF ICE AND STEEL."

Ted Savas has provided this WWII navel warfare tyro with a remarkably well written and compiled history of German submarines, and the sailors who manned them. Coming from Silent Hunters II and SHIII, I was struck by the depth of persnal involvement in both the simulations and in, "Hunt and Kill." Almost as if the brilliant Romanian technicians who produced the SH simulations have referenced the very human aspects of the sailors as depicted in this book in their products. This work is masterfully organized, and the excitement never falters. Anyone interested in naval history, and all those involved with SHIII should not miss this book. Next stop will be Chicago, and U-505.

U-505 is one of the best-known submarines from any era, largely because it survived the war and is today toured by large numbers of people at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Its rather remarkable history, together with how it ended up in Illinois, is told well and deeply in this collection of essays by leading scholars in the U-boat field. U-505 was captured in a daring display of seamanship by Guadalcanal Task Group 22.3 on June 4, 1944. Up until that time, the boat had experienced incredible events, including successes in sinking the enemy, the suicide of a commander while on patrol, sabotage that nearly sank the boat, and much more. Especially impressive in the scholarly examination of the German crew; how intelligence was utilized to capture the boat; and the complicated story of how it ended up in Chicago. Contributors include: Erich Topp (U-552, Odyssey of a U-boat Commander); Eric Rust (Naval Officers Under Hitler); Timothy Mulligan (Neither Sharks Nor Wolves); Jak Mallmann Showell (Hitler's U-boat Bases); Jordan Vause (Wolf); Lawrence Patterson (First U-boat Flotilla); Mark Wise (Enigma and the Battle of the Atlantic); Keith R. Gill (Curator, U-505, Museum of Science and Industry), and editor Theodore P. Savas (editor, Silent Hunters: German U-boat Commanders of World War II; author, Nazi Millionaries). ISBN: 1-932714-01-4; 62 photos, maps, appendices, extensive notes, index, cloth. 320 pp. $32.95. Highly Recommended.

If you have seen the 505 in the Musem of Science & Industry in Chicago read this book, or read the book and go see the U 505 in Chicago. It's about how thw US Navy captured the code book the enabled us to do a lot of damage to the U boat Waffen

This well written book illustrates two things. Hitler was out of his mind declaring war on the US and when the day of a weapon passes, it passes forever. As the American and British combined their intellegence and technical resources the U-Boats were doomed. The fascinating account in this excellent book of how it came to be is most interesting. How the US 10th Fleet contributed to overall victory and the sinking of so many U-Boats is one all of us cne be proud of. Ted Savas does a superb job of editng the book and recruited note Battle of the Atlantic historians to write the fact filled and well written chapters makes for a great read. By the time the US Navy captured the U-505, the Americans knew the position of the 505 before the Germans did. How they accomplished this and how they broke the code make this book a must read for all those interested in the subject.

I buy about every book written about Uboats. There is more to choose from today than ever. In all frankness the best material has been coming out the past few years. This book is a must-have, must-read title.

Hunt & Kill is a collection of scholarly (but readable and easy to understand) chapters on the entire life of this boat. Information is offered on everthing from before its keel was laid up to today (yes, 2004), where she is visited by thousands of tourists every year in Chicago. The chapters read very quickly and are full of fresh and new information (about the crew, Type IX boats like U-505, the capture, German mistakes, and the boat's preservation.) I will agree with the other reviewer on this page that all were great reading, and the last chapter about how the boat got to Chicago and how it was (is) preserved was the sleeper of the bunch. I mean that in the good sense. If you have been following the news, you know U-505 is being transferred below ground into a new wing at the museum. It is about time!

If you really want to know about the long life and many patrols of a combat U-boat, this is a great place to start (or end). This is supposedly considered a jinxed submarine, but that is just baloney. Most of those who served on U-505 lived to be old men (a rarity in the U-boat service that saw 80% losses), and unlike the vast majority of German subs, this one sunk multiple allied ships before it was trapped and captured off Africa in 1944. The writers make all this clear. Put this one in your library and keep it. I recommend it highly.

This group of authors have hit the mark on the subject of the life and capture of U-505.It gives the reader a feeling of being there,on the long and sometimes successful patrols.The battering U-505 took on earlier patrols,until it was finally captured.The book gives both sides of events during the search and boarding.Luck and a lot of hard work went into capturing U-505,this book gives the best account from both sides.And does it well.