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The Battle of the Atlantic: September, 1939-May, 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Vol. 1) Hardcover – May, 2001

by Samuel Eliot Morison (Author), Dudley Wright Knox (Introduction)

105 customer reviews

Book 1 of 7 in the History of United States Naval Operations in World War II Series

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This spectacular fifteen-volume series that charts the U.S. Naval operations during World War II with an insider's perspective. Morison, a Harvard professor, was given a special rank and writing post by FDR. He had active duty aboard eleven different ships, allowing him to witness many crucial battles in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Volume One explores all United States naval operations in the Atlantic, from pole to pole, including the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Barents Sea and Atlantic territorial waters. Filled with many maps and file photographs.

The Battle of the Atlantic: September, 1939-May, 1943 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Vol. 1)

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About the Author

Rear Adm. Samuel Eliot Morison wrote many popular and award-winning books on maritime history. He was the recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes, two Bancroft Prizes, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Hardcover: 440 pages
Publisher: Castle Books; Reprint edition (May 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0785813020
ISBN-13: 978-0785813026
Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
Average Customer Review: 105 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #463 in Books > History > Military > Naval
- #2013 in Books > History > Military > World War II

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subjective and partisan but good on the operational side

ByKarun Mukherjion July 12, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Morison’s battle of Atlantik is volume 1 of multi-volume work on US naval operations in World War II covers critical period of naval conflict when Axis navies had ascendency.

Battle was fought on two levels; active and passive. By passive I mean ‘special intelligence’ ; information obtained by busting German naval enigma ciphers which provided accurate information on German naval deployments. It helped Allies save precious shipping by wheeling convoys around waiting U boat lines. A reader would get nuggets of useful information on ASW, a whole section has been devoted to it, unquestionably the best feature of the book.

Americans established an organization ASWORG to study several operational problems linked to ASW. Its findings and operational level implementation substantially improved kill ratios of US naval vessels fighting U boats not before later went on a rampage along US eastern sea board. Few practised deceptive warfare. A Canadian corvette Spikenaard was sunk while sweeping ahead of convoy. A U boat faked the vessel’s signal making convoy reveal its whereabouts resulting in heavy losses.

I disagree with author’s political views. American neutrality was a sham. By taking sides Washington demonstrated selectivity in the application of neutrality laws. Under the cover of neutrality patrols American navy tried to establish hegemony in the Atlantic;security zone stretching thousands of miles from American shores established and shipping from belligerent nations prevented from entering. Actually this practice is applicable only to a country’s territorial waters which extend a 100 miles from the coast. Further by spying on German naval movements and reporting it to Admiralty in London USA behaved liked a belligerent.

However from an operational perspective author has done justice to the subject. Plus point of Morison’s history was author directly in contact with events. After receiving a commission rank in the navy he visited various naval establishments, several theatres of war and experienced
combat from close quarters.

Morison’s book is one of the earliest accounts of the campaign. Though later day historians have picked many holes, his contribution laid the foundation for all subsequent documentation generated on the subject. Book has continued to remain in print 7 decades after it was first published owing to popular demand.

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Unique, one of a kind 15 Vols. on U.S. Naval Operations in W.W. II

Bybowonwingon August 29, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Monumental, engrossing, well written with loving care by Morison and well researched with documented sources. One of a kind, 15 Volumes which must be purchased and read by any W.W. II buff or interested person. (Which might not be that many these days, as some of our youngsters do not even know what D-Day was,on June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France.) The broad scope of the Naval conflict is there, along with interesting details whenever possible. The U.S. Marine Corps is included with all of their guts and glory.
One caveat: There are omissions, e.g. IV CORAL SEA, MIDWAY AND SUBMARINE ACTIONS, re: the Battle of Midway and Commander Joseph J. Rochefort and his team breaking the Japanese naval code before the Battle of Midway (perhaps at the time of writing by Morison there was a security reason).

There is even a little "humor," as such, under incredible trying circumstances. In Volume XI, page 188, Morrison describes a skipper of an American LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) on D-Day, June 6, 1944:
"After landing American troops at Utah on the afternoon of D-Day, he was sent back to the Solent, where he received orders to load British troops at one of the local hards. Having done so he awaited orders, but none came. Observing an LCI convoy making up in the Solent he decided to join it, lest his passengers run out of food while waiting. As he was passing the Isle of Wight a signal station blinked to him, 'Where do you think you are going?' to which the skipper replied, 'I don't know!' After an interval came the the answer, 'Proceed!'" (Amen) We also learn in volume X THE ATLANTIC BATTLE WON, that Hitler used U-Boats in the Atlantic to forecast the weather for what is known as "The Battle of the Bulge." Hitler wanted the foul weather to stop Allied air attacks, which is what happened at the beginning of the battle.

The main titles to the volumes are (all have further sub-titles to each volume):
I THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC;
II OPERATIONS IN NORTH AFRICAN WATERS;
III THE RISING SUN IN THE PACIFIC;
IV CORAL SEA, MIDWAY AND SUBMARINE ACTIONS;
V THE STRUGGLE FOR GUADALCANAL;
VI BREAKING THE BISMARCKS BARRIER;
VII ALEUTIANS, GILBERTS AND MARSHALLS;
VIII NEW GUINEA AND THE MARIANAS;
IX SICILY - SALERNO - ANZIO;
X THE ATLANTIC BATTLE WON;
XI THE INVASION OF FRANCE AND GERMANY;
XII LEYTE;
XIII THE LIBERATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, LUZON, MINDANAO, THE VISAYAS;
XIV VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC;
XV SUPPLEMENT AND GENERAL INDEX (which includes in this volume the illustrations for all book dust covers with explanations- if your copy does not come with the book dust covers.)

With that said, I would have much shorter reference work handy to help steer through these 15 volumes and all the events in them, such as James L. Stokesbury's "A Short History of World War II," which really helps to put events into a succinct perspective (e.g. "The Battle of the Java Sea.")

For general reference: "O2S4 MEC:"
Objective (Simplicity);
Offensive, Sprit of;
Superiority at Point of Contact (Economy of Force);
Surprise (Security);
Security (Surprise);
Simplicity (Objective);
Movement (Mobility);
Economy of Force (Superiority at Point of Contact);
Cooperation (Unity of Command)