Above and Below: Silent Heroes of World War II

by Lee Bryan

It was April 1943 and a young US Navy Armed Guard seaman left the safety of New York harbor on an oil tanker as part of a large convoy heading to the U-boat-infested waters of the North Atlantic.

Below the waves a novice German Navy U-boat commander was on the prowl, stalking Allied merchant ships on their journey across the ocean.

Neither of these two warriors could know then that their paths would soon cross.

"Above and Below" is the true story of a close encounter between an American and a German across the frigid tumult of the Atlantic Ocean. This historic account pulls from ship logs, war reports and journals to piece together firsthand account of deadly combat faced by both men. When they encounter each other in the Mediterranean Sea, their lives are forever changed.

254 pages, Paperback

Published August 13, 2021

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was especially interested in this story because of two uncles in the Navy before and during WWII. One was part of the Neutrality Patrol in 1941, before the war broke out, making six convoys and dodging U-boats even then. The other served on a tanker, part of a convoy to Casablanca in late 1942, right after Operation Torch, and being caught in a typhoon on their way back, with their mufflers afire.

The author's father's three convoys took place after my uncles' served there, but the details gave me more of an idea of what they faced. Although I did extensive research for my WWII book, I was unfamiliar with the Armed Guard. The CO log reports about convoy formation was fascinating.

In addition to information about the Allied convoys, the author followed the history and captain of the U-boat that attempted to sink her father's tanker. There are extensive appendices about the tanker, U-boat diary, convoy fleet lists, convoy routing, etc. Also included are a glossary, bibliography, endnotes, and an index. Very thorough.

[John S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Bryan presents a classic example of a fascinating story that has remained hidden for more than three-quarters of a century. Her excellent book Above and Below: Silent Heroes of World War II (Sedona, AZ: WW 2 Publishing, 2021 and available on Amazon.com), tells her father Ernest Bryan’s experience as a U. S. Navy Armed Guard aboard the SS Esso Montpelier, a US oil tanker owned by Standard Oil of New Jersey and part of several large Atlantic convoys. Bryan’s convoy was attacked by German submarine officer Lieutenant (Kapitänleutnant, Kpt.Lt) Wilhelm Franken who commanded U-565.
Bryan fleshes out an incredible set of circumstances and weaves together an engrossing tale based on original World War II documents from German and U.S. National Archives. This primary source material, when combined with family memoirs and other research, thoroughly describes complex moments of the war at sea and skillfully captures heroism and courage under fire. New readers of the World War II genre, history buffs, and professional historians alike will appreciate her elegant writing and ability to tell an interesting, exciting, and important story. World War II will probably continue, for perhaps centuries, as the most written-about subject in human history. It will continue to be a gold mine for historians, writers, and essayists.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossing account of the U.S.Navy Armed Guard protection of Allied merchant shipping in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II, specifically a six month period in1943. Young Seaman Ernest Bryan, the author's father, served as an Armed Guard aboard the SS Esso Montpelier manning guns to defend the tanker from enemy U-boats. The ship and the convoy she was among were targeted by an equally courageous German U-boat commander. This is a true story of heroism and bravery on both sides of the war.

[Paul Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just discovered this book but have not yet read it. I am familiar with Korvettenkapitan Franken because he was the skipper of U-565 when it attacked my father's Liberty Ship, SS NATHANAEL GREENE, on 2/24/1943 a few miles off the Algerian coast. The GREENE was towed to the beach in a wrecked condition and the next day was declared a total loss. My father's memoirs, ARMAGEDDON IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN, will be published this spring by Hellgate Press. The NATHANAEL GREENE was one of only 9 US merchant ships to be designated a Gallant Ship of World War II, out of the more than 4,200 that served in the war.

[Bill Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most fascinating reads of WWII. It is exceptionally well researched on both sides; USA and the Nazi navy. More importantly to me, it is such an interesting read. The story is about two good human beings, not our young man versus a horrible enemy. They both had lives; wives, children and very difficult jobs to do. It helped me to see, I think for the first time, through the eyes of a person who was the enemy in that war. Very significant to me.
The story is so well told. I get bored easily, and this time it never happened. It’s actually the first time I have read a war story in which I felt emotion for both sides.

This is an exceptionally well written book. Thank you.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Predator and prey in the North Atlantic during World War Two. An excellent insight into two dedicated warriors. One the hunter the other the hunted........predator and prey! An personal insight revealing their thoughts, fears, dedication and bravery. Drawn from their personal journals, letters, ships logs, and diaries. A great read!