War Beneath the Sea: Submarine Conflict During World War II (Paperback)

by Peter Padfield (Author) "THE SUBMARINE WAS a subversive force..." (more)
Key Phrases: standard surface displacement, bow salvo, decisive fleet battle, Pearl Harbor, United States, Royal Navy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Praise for War Beneath the Sea
"I am truly filled with awe and admiration...fascinating and a great contribution to the entire lore of submarines.... I wish I had written the book." —Capt. Edward L. Beach, USN (Ret.) author of Run Silent, Run Deep

"Peter Padfield is the best British naval historian of his generation now working. [His] book...will now become the standard work on the subject." —Daily Telegraph (London)

"Peter Padfield has produced by far the best and most complete critical history of the submarine operations of all the combatants in the Second World War, at the same time providing vivid narrative accounts of particular actions and events." —Lloyds List (London)

"An excellent account of submarine warfare in 1939–45... [it] recreates the tribulations and horrors of that especially brutal form of warfare within a sturdily analytical and often critical framework." —The Economist

"[A] marvelously complete and detailed study of World War II submarine warfare...an interesting, serious, and timely book." —Houston Chronicle

"A brilliant submarine warfare study." —Military Review

From the Publisher
A leading naval and military historian presents the first book to cover the major submarine campaigns in all the WWII theaters. Vividly recreates the experience of submarine and anti-submarine warfare from the decision makers in the war offices to the men in the boats. Describes the disappointing performance of the giant Japanese submarines in the Pacific and the narrow margin by which Britain escaped defeat by German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic. Reveals new information about the capture of the Enigma cipher machine, harrowing accounts of defenseless warriors shot in the water and much more. Contains 16 pages of photographs, many published for the first time. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471249459
• ISBN-13: 978-0471249450
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #857,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Examination, April 7, 2000

By	Christopher Millhouse (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Padfield's book is a comprehensive examination of submarine warfare from 1939 to 1945. It includes extensive information about the whole spectrum of boats from manned torpedos through to the Japanese submarine float plane carriers. An appendix provides a day by day important actions over the entire war.

What I particularly like is the macro/micro nature of the book. In this way it has much in common with some works of CEW Bean. There are many single action descriptions that provide a lively counterpoint to descriptions of the strategic situation.

My criticism is that the work is devided into chapters by theatre and time frame - but the text is strictly chronological. This makes many of the chapter titles pointless. None the less the chapters do round out particular periods.

In all a very readable and enjoyable book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent account, Good analysis, January 6, 2002

By	Thaddeus Glavin (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found Mr. Padfields book to contain some excellent accounts of the various submarine forces' efforts during the Second World War. I also thought that he does a great job of placing the 1st hand accounts within the larger strategic issues he examines.

My only criticism of the work is that he does not treat the US efforts in the pacific with anywhere near the same breadth of analysis that he gives the British in the Med. I found it hard to accept his arguments fully, as he rarely if ever gives alternatives to his positions.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing, as though you're there, October 24, 2000

By	Alan Sharp "Alan" (Fredericksburg, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Once I was into page one, I couldn't get away from it. Secondhand accounts they may be in many instances, but you feel as though you're part of the scenery, in the action. Peter's frequent use of his analytical skills helped to stimulate my own thinking. Very good read for anyone interested in the submarine conflicts of WWII.