Two Years Behind the Mast: An American Landlubber at Sea in World War II [Paperback]

Harold J. McCormick (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Harold J. McCormick enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve at Great Lakes, Illinois, and in 1943 was commissioned Ensign U. S. Naval Reserve. He requested sea duty, was assigned to Armed Guard, and spent the next two years as gunnery officer on three U. S. merchant ships. Two Years Behind the Mast: An American Landlubber at Sea in World War II is his story, a true tale of the combat and heroism, tragedy and victory as he lived, experienced, and participated in the war of the Atlantic. Readers will be amazed that McCormick's book is dedicated to Commander Jurgen Oesten of German U-boat 861 -- a wartime enemy who became a good friend. This too is one of the lasting lessons of the Atlantic war. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Sunflower Univ Pr (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897451384
• ISBN-13: 978-0897451383
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,632,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oesten also featured in "Wolf", June 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Years Behind the Mast: An American Landlubber at Sea in World War II (Paperback)

Having read "Wolf" recently, another good book about German U-boats in World War II, I found this book an excellent companion. Jurgen Oesten is featured in both! This book is an excellent first person narrative about one naval officer's experiences aboard a Liberty ship in World War II

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual autobiography by U-boat victim, February 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Years Behind the Mast: An American Landlubber at Sea in World War II (Paperback)

This little gem belongs in every library focusing on the war at sea! The author's easy, frank, humorous and unpretensious presentation of his unusual experiences in World War II as commander of a liberty ship sunk by a U-boat off the coast of Argentina, couple with a number of well-researched photos, offers insight not usually found in elaborate treatises

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True story by officer sunk by Uboat who befriends his enemy!, November 24, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Years Behind the Mast: An American Landlubber at Sea in World War II (Paperback)

Lt. Commander McCormick colorfully recites his World War II experiences in some detail. The book takes an unusual twist when McCormick locates and befriends Jurgen Oesten (Knight's Cross, 1941), commander on U-861 which torpedoed and sunk McCormick's U.S. Liberty ship SS William Gaston off the coast of Buenos Aires in July 1944. Oesten and McCormick exchanged several visits to each other's homes; the book is dedicated to Oesten. Fortunately, the crew on the SS William Gaston was plucked from the sea after two days by the SS Matagorda. One of the few books covering experiences on one of the 2710 Liberty ships built in America during World War II. Over 200 were lost to U-boats or maritime accidents. Research in Argentina initially caused McCormick to conclude that the William Gaston was "set up" by a spy ship. However, Commander Oesten denies any collusion. Numerous photo in this nifty 145-page slick-covered paperback with spectacular painting by marine artist Herb Hewitt on the cover. Recommended