Torpedoes in the Gulf: Galveston and the U-Boats, 1942-1943 (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) [Paperback]

Melanie Wiggins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995 | Series: Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series

At the beginning of America's involvement in World War II, Galveston Island was a recreation center for area servicemen. Every evening throngs of soldiers, sailors, and Marines strolled along the seawall, basking in the warm sun and soft gulf breezes. Red, pink, and white oleanders bloomed in all their glory, sea gulls squawked overhead, and gentle waves swished over sandy beaches. It was paradise on earth. Small wonder that German U-boat commanders couldn't believe their eyes when they stealthily entered the Gulf of Mexico that year. All navigational lights glowed, and towns and cities along the coast shone brightly, illuminating every American ship traveling by. On Galveston Island the summer tourist season had just begun when Harro Schacht, commander of U-507, sailed up to the mouth of the Mississippi River and blew up eight ships. Catching Americans totally unprepared for a Gulf attack, twenty-four German submarines entered the Gulf of Mexico between 1942 and 1943 and attacked both American and Allied ships, sinking fifty-six merchant ships and damaging fourteen more. In May, 1942 alone, the blitz of the "Gulf Sea Frontier" gave German U-boats their greatest victories to that date in the war. From then until peace in 1944, Allied shipping in the Gulf sailed freely, secure from attack--but not until this surprising onslaught raised national patriotism to new heights and brought the war so close to home. Based on interviews with U.S. Navy, Merchant Marine, and German U-boat veterans, translated war diaries, and declassified military documents, Torpedoes in the Gulf tells a fascinating personal story with two sides. Readers will marvel at behind-the-scenes accounts of German U-boat spy maneuvers and as Galvestonians, fearing for their lives, raced to fortify their island, convinced at last that they were truly at war. Melanie Wiggins is a freelance writer living in Galveston. She is a member of the Galveston County Historical Commission and the Texas Gulf Historical Society of Beaumont, and she is the author of a book on the history of Bolivar Peninsula.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"How the tiny submarines managed to operate so effectively more than 2,000 miles from their home port was a great puzzlement at the time, writes Galveston author Melanie Wiggins in her well-researched Torpedoes in the Gulf. . . . a valuable addition to an ever-growing body of work about World War II. It''s also a fascinating read for local history buffs. Few realize how close Texas was to combat. Fewer still understand how comically unprepared we were for modern war."--Charles P. Thobae

(Charles P. Thobae )

About the Author

Melanie Wiggins is a freelance writer living in Galveston. She is a member of the Galveston County Historical Commission and the Texas Gulf Historical Society of Beaumont, and she is the author of a book on the history of Bolivar Peninsula.

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: TAMU Press (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890966486
• ISBN-13: 978-0890966488
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summary of little known area of WWII, September 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Torpedoes in the Gulf: Galveston and the U-Boats, 1942-1943 (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Paperback)

Ms. Wiggins has covered the human aspects of this part of World War II submarine operations with a fresh and interesting perspective. Her inclusion of personal interview material make the story more credible. A good read for any history buff.

Cdr. John A. Holt USN(Ret)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, April 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Torpedoes in the Gulf: Galveston and the U-Boats, 1942-1943 (Texas a&M University Military History Series) (Hardcover)

My interest in the book was from the stand point of the ships being attacked by the submarine. I enjoyed the account of the SS San Pablo and its "unusual stratagem". My father was on that ship later on during the war. Ms Wiggins covered the topic very well.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Torpedoes in the Gulf, Galveston and the U-Boats 1942-1943, July 8, 2007

By 

Austin C., Craig "U-Boat enthusiast" (Parkland, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Torpedoes in the Gulf: Galveston and the U-Boats, 1942-1943 (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) (Paperback)

A very well written and interesting account about a subject not many people know about. Lots of good insight into the people of Galveston, as well as the U-Boats and the men who commanded them. The fact America was not prepared in 1942, but made the U-Boats pay in 1943 is well documented in the book. Great map of the Gulf of Mexico and the listing of where all 56 ships were sunk.

Highly recommended reading.