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Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory
A brilliant recounting of the Battle of the Atlantic, Canada’s longest continuous military engagement of the Second World War and the key to its victory In the twentieth century’s greatest war, one battlefield held the key to victory or defeat—the North Atlantic. It took 2,074 days and nights to determine its outcome, but the Battle of the Atlantic proved the turning point of WWII. For five and a half years, German surface warships and submarines attempted to destroy Allied transatlantic convoys, most of which were escorted by Royal Canadian Navy destroyers and corvettes, as well as aircraft of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Throwing deadly U-boat wolf packs in the paths of Merchant Navy convoys, the German Kriegsmarine nearly strangled this vital lifeline to a beleaguered Great Britain and left any hope of liberating Europe in doubt. In 1939, Canada’s navy went to war with exactly thirteen warships and about 3,500 sailors. During the desperate Atlantic crossings, the RCN grew to 400 fighting ships and over 100,000 men and women in uniform. By VE Day in 1945, it had become the fourth largest navy in the world. The Battle of the Atlantic proved to be Canada’s longest continuous military engagement of WWII. The story of the country’s naval awakening in the bloody battle to get convoys to Britain is a Canadian wartime saga for the ages.
544 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2022
28 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Ted Barris
25 books38 followersTed Barris is an accomplished author, journalist and broadcaster. As well as hosting stints on CBC Radio and regular contributions to The Globe and Mail, the National Post, and various national magazines, he is a full-time professor of journalism at Centennial College in Toronto. Barris has authored seventeen non-fiction books, including the national bestsellers Victory at Vimy and Juno.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 1, 2024
An extraordinary and powerful account of a war on top of the seas as well as underneath it. Just as extraordinary, an account of friendships between former enemies that lasted throughout the rest of their lives. Well researched, written and narrated and told from multiple points of view (which is to say we hear from the submarine crews too).
December 23, 2022
Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory by historian Ted Barris was an excellent historical discussion of WWII battle to keep the sea lanes open in the Atlantic, to keep supplies being shipped to Great Britain as the country battled to survive the onslaught by Hitler's armies, air forces and navies.
The Navies of Canada and Great Britain and later, the US, escorted convoy after convoy of fuel, food, construction supplies, military equipment across the Atlantic as they battled Nazi U-boat wolf packs every single trip. The book portrays the overall statistics, philosophies of both sides and also delves into the personal stories of so many sailors and merchant crews, to make the story very personal.
Barris has a way of developing and presenting the story to actually make you feel that you are there; feel the cold during winter convoys as the ships superstructures are coated in layers of ice, feel the danger as ships are hit by torpedoes and crews try to survive in frigid waters, waiting for rescue. It's a fascinating story. The courage is evident on every page. Huge convoys protected by just a few ships, that had insufficient equipment to detect and destroy the U-boats. The efforts by Canada and the US to ramp up construction ships to fight the fight to save democracy from the Nazis. The willingness of crews to do this trip day after day, knowing full well that the odds of them surviving another voyage were slim.
"The Battle of the Atlantic lasted for five years, eight months, and five days. Between September 1939 and May 1945, merchant ships completed 25,343 voyages - delivering more than 165 million tons of cargo from North America to the United Kingdom - under Canadian escort. Securing that cargo bridge came with a toll. In addition to the 2,438 RCN casualties, the battle claimed 752 airmen of the RCAF. Costlier still in that vital campaign, Allied merchant navies lost 2,233 ships (fifty - eight of them Canadian) Lives lost among Allied merchant navies exceeded 30,000. Of 12,000 Canadians who served in the merchant navy, 1,146 lost their lives - one seafarer in eight. Another 198 became POWs overseas."
As I read this book, I thought continuously of the situation in Ukraine and the efforts to keep it supplied with war materials and other equipment in its battle to preserve The Ukraine from the ongoing invasion. I am distressed by the amount of negative news that filters out but am encouraged that NATO countries are sticking together to help the country. I hope democratic countries continue to support them, just like Allied countries risked lives to keep Great Britain alive in its isolation.
Anyway, a very interesting history by Mr. Barris. Check it out. (4.0 stars)
The Navies of Canada and Great Britain and later, the US, escorted convoy after convoy of fuel, food, construction supplies, military equipment across the Atlantic as they battled Nazi U-boat wolf packs every single trip. The book portrays the overall statistics, philosophies of both sides and also delves into the personal stories of so many sailors and merchant crews, to make the story very personal.
Barris has a way of developing and presenting the story to actually make you feel that you are there; feel the cold during winter convoys as the ships superstructures are coated in layers of ice, feel the danger as ships are hit by torpedoes and crews try to survive in frigid waters, waiting for rescue. It's a fascinating story. The courage is evident on every page. Huge convoys protected by just a few ships, that had insufficient equipment to detect and destroy the U-boats. The efforts by Canada and the US to ramp up construction ships to fight the fight to save democracy from the Nazis. The willingness of crews to do this trip day after day, knowing full well that the odds of them surviving another voyage were slim.
"The Battle of the Atlantic lasted for five years, eight months, and five days. Between September 1939 and May 1945, merchant ships completed 25,343 voyages - delivering more than 165 million tons of cargo from North America to the United Kingdom - under Canadian escort. Securing that cargo bridge came with a toll. In addition to the 2,438 RCN casualties, the battle claimed 752 airmen of the RCAF. Costlier still in that vital campaign, Allied merchant navies lost 2,233 ships (fifty - eight of them Canadian) Lives lost among Allied merchant navies exceeded 30,000. Of 12,000 Canadians who served in the merchant navy, 1,146 lost their lives - one seafarer in eight. Another 198 became POWs overseas."
As I read this book, I thought continuously of the situation in Ukraine and the efforts to keep it supplied with war materials and other equipment in its battle to preserve The Ukraine from the ongoing invasion. I am distressed by the amount of negative news that filters out but am encouraged that NATO countries are sticking together to help the country. I hope democratic countries continue to support them, just like Allied countries risked lives to keep Great Britain alive in its isolation.
Anyway, a very interesting history by Mr. Barris. Check it out. (4.0 stars)
August 9, 2022
Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: September 20, 2022
***
Ted Barris’s “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory” accomplishes the incredible task of detailing the longest battle of WWII. At five years, eight months, and five days, the gruelling task of feeding, arming, and fuelling the Allied Forces and civilians through the UK was undertaken at great cost. Convoys carrying millions of tons of materiel to the UK faced often insurmountable odds against the German Navy’s U-Boats, whose wolf packs struck with devastating consequences.
Focussing on Canada’s contributions to convoy defence, naval offence, air offence, and technological innovations, Barris’s work is thorough in representing the country’s importance to the overall naval effort. For a country who was often sidelined and discounted, this work is significant in solidifying Canada’s role.
Barris’s style will appeal to the lay-person and experienced historian alike. Focussing on the telling of events through the perspectives of those who lived and died through them, makes for an engaging and personal reading experience. Contrasting Canadian perspectives, across the services, including the contributions of women, with those of their German counterparts, Barris establishes a thorough picture of the battle.
Detailed accounts of German actions in Canadian waters, including U-Boats in the St. Lawrence, the sinking of ships off the coast, and the landing of a spy and submariners, “Battle of the Atlantic” is an engaging and entertaining read.
Release Date: September 20, 2022
***
Ted Barris’s “Battle of the Atlantic: Gauntlet to Victory” accomplishes the incredible task of detailing the longest battle of WWII. At five years, eight months, and five days, the gruelling task of feeding, arming, and fuelling the Allied Forces and civilians through the UK was undertaken at great cost. Convoys carrying millions of tons of materiel to the UK faced often insurmountable odds against the German Navy’s U-Boats, whose wolf packs struck with devastating consequences.
Focussing on Canada’s contributions to convoy defence, naval offence, air offence, and technological innovations, Barris’s work is thorough in representing the country’s importance to the overall naval effort. For a country who was often sidelined and discounted, this work is significant in solidifying Canada’s role.
Barris’s style will appeal to the lay-person and experienced historian alike. Focussing on the telling of events through the perspectives of those who lived and died through them, makes for an engaging and personal reading experience. Contrasting Canadian perspectives, across the services, including the contributions of women, with those of their German counterparts, Barris establishes a thorough picture of the battle.
Detailed accounts of German actions in Canadian waters, including U-Boats in the St. Lawrence, the sinking of ships off the coast, and the landing of a spy and submariners, “Battle of the Atlantic” is an engaging and entertaining read.
April 22, 2023
Detailed maps and charts of ship and U-boat locations during WWII. Very detailed accounts of what Canada's Navy and convoys experienced during their Atlantic crossings. Excellent resource for those interested in the Battle of the Atlantic.
December 28, 2025
I’ll preface this review by stating that I was leaning toward giving it 3 stars but decided to give it 4 stars because it has some excellent first person accounts and some of the negatives are more so attributed to the topic itself rather than the book itself.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the biggest battle of WWII in terms of geography and time frame (Sept 1 1939-May 8, 1945), therefore, any account of the battle or a significant aspect of it will be either exhaustive in length or lacking in detail. This book probably falls into the later category, it isn’t tiny by any means but there were times I wish the author developed various topics better. For example Corvettes were evidently very important to the Royal Canadian Navy escort forces but I don’t think the author truly explains why they were so important, was it because they were an effective design or was it just that they were the biggest/best ships we could build with the resources at hand and made due?
An argument the author makes is that the Canadians punched well above their weight class (as we often do) in their contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic. The RCN was very amateurish at the beginning of WWII but went on to bear the brunt of the German Uboats but I don’t think the author explores the reasons for how this was done or why it was accomplished.
If you are like me and are a bit of a military history aficionado but don’t know much about the Battle of the Atlantic then this book is a worthwhile read
The Battle of the Atlantic was the biggest battle of WWII in terms of geography and time frame (Sept 1 1939-May 8, 1945), therefore, any account of the battle or a significant aspect of it will be either exhaustive in length or lacking in detail. This book probably falls into the later category, it isn’t tiny by any means but there were times I wish the author developed various topics better. For example Corvettes were evidently very important to the Royal Canadian Navy escort forces but I don’t think the author truly explains why they were so important, was it because they were an effective design or was it just that they were the biggest/best ships we could build with the resources at hand and made due?
An argument the author makes is that the Canadians punched well above their weight class (as we often do) in their contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic. The RCN was very amateurish at the beginning of WWII but went on to bear the brunt of the German Uboats but I don’t think the author explores the reasons for how this was done or why it was accomplished.
If you are like me and are a bit of a military history aficionado but don’t know much about the Battle of the Atlantic then this book is a worthwhile read
January 23, 2023
I had the recent privilege of attending a Ted Barris presentation at my local Probus Club. He presented about this book which was fascinating to the point where I purchased a copy.
This was my first read by this author and in my opinion earned a 5 star rating.
An Uncle of mine was in the Royal Navy during WW2 serving in the Atlantic, so this account of the conditions there at this time was something I wished to know more about.
I found this book incredibly well researched and written to hold your interest. The individual people involved in various parts of this book show a human element to this struggle to supply and keep Britain going especially during the early stages of this war.
I highly recommend this book. I respect the loss of lives by the many brave souls who sacrificed their lives for freedom then and now.
This was my first read by this author and in my opinion earned a 5 star rating.
An Uncle of mine was in the Royal Navy during WW2 serving in the Atlantic, so this account of the conditions there at this time was something I wished to know more about.
I found this book incredibly well researched and written to hold your interest. The individual people involved in various parts of this book show a human element to this struggle to supply and keep Britain going especially during the early stages of this war.
I highly recommend this book. I respect the loss of lives by the many brave souls who sacrificed their lives for freedom then and now.
March 21, 2023
I will always strive to find books that directly relate to Canadian History. I am proud and fascinated to read about the efforts, successes and defeats of the Canadian Forces throughout the war. This book was a good find, it was thorough, interesting, enlightening and a joy to have read.
From start to finish, the Battle of the Atlantic never ceased until the war ended and peace had been restored. Many of the principle participants, particularly the Merchant Marine, were not properly acknowledged for decades and were instrumental in the final Allied Victory.
I learned a more about a time period that I have read dozens of books about, that is always a pleasure for me. I will keep my eye out for more such works.
From start to finish, the Battle of the Atlantic never ceased until the war ended and peace had been restored. Many of the principle participants, particularly the Merchant Marine, were not properly acknowledged for decades and were instrumental in the final Allied Victory.
I learned a more about a time period that I have read dozens of books about, that is always a pleasure for me. I will keep my eye out for more such works.
November 27, 2023
Excellent book. The mixture of chronological history with individual stories on both sides of the war was very well done. I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book, but I thoroughly did.
One drawback though, is that I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator, while fantastic, does the worst voices, ever. He cannot keep the voices consistent. Hitler will sound like a Canadian one minute, a German in the very next sentence and by the end of the paragraph, every single person he "impersonates" sounds Irish. All of them. The narrator clearly thinks everyone who isn't him must be Irish.
One drawback though, is that I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator, while fantastic, does the worst voices, ever. He cannot keep the voices consistent. Hitler will sound like a Canadian one minute, a German in the very next sentence and by the end of the paragraph, every single person he "impersonates" sounds Irish. All of them. The narrator clearly thinks everyone who isn't him must be Irish.
November 20, 2022
The author does a great job of detailing Canada's part in the Battle of the Atlantic during World War II.
It's hard to imagine what all the sailors and crewmen aboard the air force planes had to endure during those 6 years of battle. My father joined the navy in 1941 at the age of 16 and never talked much about his years on a corvette in the Atlantic. But I know he would have really enjoyed this engrossing book and all the personal accounts of the convoys in which he had taken part in.
A very interesting book that everyone should read so we don't forget the horrors of war.
It's hard to imagine what all the sailors and crewmen aboard the air force planes had to endure during those 6 years of battle. My father joined the navy in 1941 at the age of 16 and never talked much about his years on a corvette in the Atlantic. But I know he would have really enjoyed this engrossing book and all the personal accounts of the convoys in which he had taken part in.
A very interesting book that everyone should read so we don't forget the horrors of war.
April 19, 2024
An excellent and detailed read about the Battle of the Atlantic. Unlike other battles of the Second World War, people generally don’t know as much about this battle - but there is so much to know when a battle lasts over five years in spans over oceans. I remember hearing about the merchant mariners and them trying to achieve recognition and this story certainly helps me understand so much more about it.
July 31, 2025
I really enjoyed learning how the Canadians help with the WW2. Also, I learned a different side of the war, I usually learn about the bombings and aircraft but never with the U-Boats etc.
I did have a hard time with some of the different terms and had it keep referencing back. I am glad that their is an author out there which I have heard at a Author talk that is keeping the history of Canadians and how they help with the war effort,
I did have a hard time with some of the different terms and had it keep referencing back. I am glad that their is an author out there which I have heard at a Author talk that is keeping the history of Canadians and how they help with the war effort,
March 13, 2023
Exceptional read. The amount of research that must have gone into making this book would have been quite arduous. Compliments to Ted Barris for truly showing how amazing the men and women were during this horrifying war. It must have taken tremendous courage on the part of these folks. The type of courage that we can only imagine. They truly gave so much for their country...
June 22, 2023
I was interested in reading this book because my father served in RCN frigates in the north Atlantic, but never really spoke about his experience protecting the convoys. Through his extensive research and wonderful writing, Ted Barris gives a voice and shares the experiences, and tells a compelling story in the process.
March 20, 2024
Excellent book of the Battle of the Atlantic from the Canadian perspective. Canada needs a stronger Navy, with or three huge coastlines and the northern coast getter warmer by the year and therefore open to international piracy. The fact that our coastguard service is unarmed, amazes me. Are we going to politely ask Ivan (AKA Putin) to kindly leave our waters? Wake up Canada!
April 4, 2024
For those interested in Canada's role in WW11, I would highly recommend this book. I knew nothing of the role that the Merchant Marines played in the Battle of The Atlantic. The book is filled with historical detail and also well researched recounts of page turning clashes between U Boats, their prey and those naval ships, tasked with trying to protect them.
November 11, 2022
I try to read every book Ted writes, although I wouldn't normally read military history. Ted's books are interesting and full of personal details, which seems unusual for most history books. Really enjoyed this one and learned a lot about the Battle of the Atlantic.
February 9, 2023
Barris has an easy to read style punctuated with numerous personal stories to make the horror of war and the courage of those who served come alive. The Battle of the Atlantic was a long protracted fight and was pivotal to the UK's survival and to the eventual success of the allies. A worthy read.
November 10, 2023
This book is very readable. It covers the overall history of the RCN in the Battle of the Atlantic, while detailing many fascinating veterans' stories. A must-read for all interested in Canada's naval history, and our greatest naval challenge. Highly recommended.
January 14, 2023
A good survey of a complex campaign.
July 3, 2023
A comprehensive accounting of the role the Canadian Navy and Merchant Marine played in the second world war. Meticulously researched. Extremely informative.
May 1, 2024
Focuses on Canadian involvement and gives first hand accounts of the battles. Not something i knew much about, so it was quite enlightening. Very well researched and written.
November 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The author takes us through the Battle of the Atlantic, primarily from a Canadian perspective. We get the big picture as well as tales from individual sailors.
January 11, 2025
It is amazing detailed account of the Royal Canadian Navy role in the battle of Atlantic. It told the story of how the Canadians kept the Atlantic open for Britain.
December 5, 2025
I haven’t read much and it was great to get a Canadian perspective. Also, he did a nice job getting the German perspective.
April 10, 2025
Excellent book about the vital role of the Canadian merchant navy in WW2, bringing food, oil and gas, raw materials and war equipment to a desperate Britain and Russia. By percentage, the merchant navy suffered higher casualties than any other segment of the Canadian war effort. The number of ships and submarines sunk, the number of sailors and civilians lost and the amount of material on the ocean floor is staggering. The book is very well written and researched including German sources.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews