The U-Boat Peril: A Fight for Survival

by Bob Whinney

Captain Bob Whinney took command of the destroyer HMS Wanderer in 1943 while she was refitting to fulfil a new anti-submarine role. Already an anti-submarine specialist officer with an active record, Captain Whinney could now put his skills to work in his own special way, chasing and sinking the German U-boats that so perilously threatened Britain's vital maritime lifelines. This book is his engrossing story of a truly frightening war, a war that stretched from the Atlantic to beyond the Arctic Circle, and had to be won. There are vivid accounts of life and death at sea as the reader experiences the true drama of the hunt, detection and destruction of the most feared of Britain's enemies, the U-boat. It was a historic fight for survival.

Genres: Naval History, War, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Daniel Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting autobiographical recount of a career in the Royal Navy, one which took Captain Reginald Fife "Bob" Whinney to interesting places and key moments... he was on board a Destroyer that helped track down, shadow and pursue the Bismarck (1941), was on the West African Coast at the time of the Laconia Incident, and was highly trained in Anti Submarine Warfare, ultimately Captain of a purpose modified AS W Class Destroyer HMS Wanderer, where from 1943-44 was responsible for the sinking of 3 U Boats, including one while in the English Channel escorting D-Day convoys.
However interesting his own personal wartime actions were, this book is fascinating for his encounters with Winston Churchill, King George VI, famous Admirals, and an insight into the Naval Officer culture, (he was on Lord Louis Mountbatten's Polo Team!).

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read not only about the action involved in dealing with u-boats but also the references to many characters, both upper and lower deck. Although the author could be scathing about some who didn't seem to be 'in tune' with what was going on, he was also generous to those who served above and beyond duty.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

For someone who had an exciting war-time adventure, Captain Whinney sure managed to write a boring book about it. Bloke seems to have a good sense of humour though.

[Jesse Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read that covers a lot of operation information that other writers gloss over. The engagement with s-boote is especially valuable.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

U-boat Peril could be a book for anyone interested in lost lessons. Captain Whinney discusses his adventures in the Royal Navy and lets the reader see the transformation from post Victorian to a modern navy. In the book he serves with men like Admiral Vian, Tovey to name a few as well as some ASW notables such as Peter Grattan and of course Fredric "Johnny" Walker. I found Whinney's style easy to read but compelling as he took the reader on a journey of his life and for one I was glad to be able to read about his adventures. He was honest and refreshingly honest about what worked and what didn't. He was critical in that the Royal Navy ignored ASW because it was too long and not very "glamorous". In that I'm sure it is a great cautionary tale for not missing the basics determining where threats are actually found. It is a quick read at 151 pages but in those 151 pages there isn't any space wasted.

[Mike Hedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, with lots of insights into Royal Navy life, personalities and technology, and WWII anti-submarine warfare. Not especially professionally written, with overuse of exclamation marks and the curious modern chopping of compound nouns- the author splits wardroom on many (but not all) occasions into Ward Room.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book was ok but found it a little boring in places having said that there where a few parts that I really enjoyed. It just seemed to lack something and I feel it went into too much detail about AS training but seemed to skip past parts of actually attacking subs. It's not a long book so I wouldn't say don't read it it helped pass a bit of spare time!

[Andreas Michaelides · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story about the Royal Navy and how it transforms itself to hopefully something better.