U-Boat Ace: The Story of Wolfgang Lüth

by Jordan Vause

Wolfgang Luth was one of only seven men to win Germany’s highest combat decoration. He operated in almost every theater of the undersea war from Norway to the Indian Ocean and he was the second most successful German U-boat ace in World War II. Luth is credited with sinking 47 Allied ships and a submarine – a record topped only by Otto Kretschmer. In 1944, after 16 war patrols, including one that lasted a record 203 days at sea, he was named the youngest Commandant of the German Naval Academy at age 30.

Until the publication of this comprehensive study his accomplishments were overshadowed by other aces, to correct the neglect, Jordan Vause provides an entertaining, authoritative biography. Vause was intrigued after seeing a portrait of Luth as a midshipman on display and set out to learn all he could, tracking down some of Luth’s crewmen and fellow U-boat commanders. He draws on their firsthand information and a variety of written documents to provide a fascinating character analysis. In doing so, he encapsulates the paradoxes inherent in so many German submarine commanders, men spawned by the Nazi regime yet not entirely of it. Vause portrays Luth as a man of an agent Nazi ideologue who could bend the rules for a slack sailor, a U-boat ace who could treat survivors of his attacks with clemency but then impetuously gun down other victims in cold blood. Even his best friend admitted that Luth had no remorse for the misery he inflicted on the crews of sunken ships. On the night of May 13th 1945 he was accidentally shot and killed by a German sentry. On May 16th 1945 he was given the Third Reich’s last state funeral.

Genres: World War II, History, Nonfiction, Naval History, Military History, Biography, Military Fiction

233 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book chronicles the life and wartime career of Wolfgang Luth, one of Nazi Germany's most successful submarine commanders during World War II, who was responsible for the sinking of 46 merchant ships and an Allied submarine. Luth was one of only 2 submarine commanders to be awarded Germany's highest decoration for valor in combat, the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.

[Ricardo Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book I had no idea I would rate it with 5 stars. Just because I keep the highest rate for true pieces of literary art, for books which I know will stay in my memory forever, marking me for life. Well, Jordan Vause did it. He created one of the best books about submarines I ever read. I was expecting an interesting - just because I do have a special interest in the subject - but dull book about Wolfgang Luth. But what I go was far more than that. He covers Luth but also the while U-Boat campaign and the daily life on board and so much more! Fascinating!

[C. G. Telcontar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rough, unpolished, but readable. He gets his facts right, unlike a myriad of other writers concerning u boats. Far too sentimental in the final 15 pages, but overall a passable portrait of a u boat commander.

[PHILLIP W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth reading

The book is well written and it kept my interest throughout. Interesting characters described in some horrible times. Worth the read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the books that I comment on for Goodreads are those that I have listened to as audiobooks, but in this case I read the hardcover. I discovered this book while browsing in a used bookstore. After reading a portion of it in the store, I decided to purchase it for a friend but also to read it myself before giving it as a gift.

I must first say that, for some reason, I have a particular interest in U-Boats, the German submarines in World War II, their place in history, and their stories. The film, "Das Boot," the story of a U-Boat on patrol, is one of my favorite films, and I have studied German language and culture for quite some time and lived for several years in Germany. I would expect that for someone who does not share my interest in U-Boats at the same level, this book might not be quite as captivating, but for me it was one of the most interesting biographies I have read in a long time.

Author Jordan Vause, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has done an extraordinarily fine job of drawing a picture of Wolfgang Luth (Lueth), by utilizing information he gained through interviews and correspondence with those who served with Luth as his crew and his fellow U-Boat commanders. They outlived Luth and remained to describe a very complicated and multifaceted personality who from time to time displayed many contradictory traits. Vause has also done an excellent job of researching the German archives to present us with factual and objective background about Luth's competence and performance as a U-Boat commander. Vause weaves these archival facts with great skill into the portrait of a life which is full of experience and complex so that we understand Luth better as a person when we would perhaps be tempted to pass him off as simply another unidimensional Nazi war hero. In the end, whether you like him or hate him, we have a full and fascinating picture of the person that he was.

[RolandofGileaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η ιστορία ενός από τους πιο επιτυχημένους κυβερνήτες υποβρυχίων του Β' Π.Π., του Βόλφγκανγκ Λυτ.
Ο συγγραφέας χρησιμοποιώντας υλικό από τα ημερολόγια των αποστολών, από επιστολές συμπολεμιστών του Lüth σκιαγραφεί ένα χαρακτήρα ο οποίος δεν είναι απαραίτητα πάντα συμπαθής με τις ενέργειές του στη θάλασσα. Το βιβλίο διαβάζεται πολύ ευχάριστα και γρήγορα χωρίς να "κουράζει" με λεπτομέρειες επιχειρησιακής φύσης όπως πχ τα "σιδερένια φέρετρα" του Βέρνερ.

[G Poc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting details

Interesting details of the mans life and war patrols.
The book is occasionally repetitive and the chronology sometimes difficult to follow but a good read nevertheless.

[Themistocles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and unique. Unmissable.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting background on the journeys of a U-boat commander. What's unique about this commander is that he survived the war.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolfgang is genius U boat captain. Out in the sea for months, somehow he managed crew from going mad and carries out successfully missions.