What do you think?
Rate this book
Capturing The Enigma: The Unsung Heroes of HMS Bulldog
“The lieutenant descended slowly into the quiet and gloom. As he began to step down into the control room, he was gripped by a feeling of dread. Someone could be down there waiting for him...”
Hitler's U-boats rule the North Atlantic and threaten to eliminate the Allied forces supply lines through meticulously coordinated attacks using Germany's secret weapon: the Enigma. Desperate to turn the tide of the war, British scientists at Bletchley Park work tirelessly to break the codes. But there is a problem. They need the German ciphers and a working Enigma machine.
In this gripping story held secret for years, you'll join the crew of HMS Bulldog as they execute a covert WWII mission to seize a functioning Enigma and the ciphers Britain so desperately needs.
The bravery of these sailors saved countless lives and crippled German naval operations, eventually giving the Allied forces the victory needed to win the war and end Hitler's reign of terror.
Don't miss this incredible true story!- GenresHistory
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2016
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 20, 2016
This is the true story of a daring rescue mission. I loved reading about the brave men and their wise captain Joe Baker - Cresswell. What a riveting story documenting this event. The way it was written made me feel a part of this activity.
I am going to look for more books from this author because he makes the history come alive. This is a wonderful quick read.
I am going to look for more books from this author because he makes the history come alive. This is a wonderful quick read.
January 29, 2017
Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author.
There are many stories about World War II, and many unsung heroes. Sub-Lieutenant (and eventually Lieutenant Commander) David Balme is one of these. This story tells of his efforts, as well as the assistance of others, in recovering documents and items from a sinking German U-Boat.
The story is short, and focuses on the drama surrounding the six hours and two trips crew members of the HMS Bulldog took to the u-boat to search for whatever they could find that looked valuable. While I believe the tale of the actual mission is adequate, it would have been helpful to include a bit more about the Enigma machine that was taken, fleshing out its importance. Additional information might have included that it is believed this recovery of the Enigma shortened the war by approximately two years, and that decades passed before Lieutenant Commander Balme was officially recognized for his efforts.
Even with these omissions, the book is still a good read, and fascinating for those who may have never been aware of this event. Four stars.
There are many stories about World War II, and many unsung heroes. Sub-Lieutenant (and eventually Lieutenant Commander) David Balme is one of these. This story tells of his efforts, as well as the assistance of others, in recovering documents and items from a sinking German U-Boat.
The story is short, and focuses on the drama surrounding the six hours and two trips crew members of the HMS Bulldog took to the u-boat to search for whatever they could find that looked valuable. While I believe the tale of the actual mission is adequate, it would have been helpful to include a bit more about the Enigma machine that was taken, fleshing out its importance. Additional information might have included that it is believed this recovery of the Enigma shortened the war by approximately two years, and that decades passed before Lieutenant Commander Balme was officially recognized for his efforts.
Even with these omissions, the book is still a good read, and fascinating for those who may have never been aware of this event. Four stars.
February 7, 2017
Capturing The Enigma: The Unsung Heroes of HMS Bulldog by Patrick Spencer is a 28-page historical introduction to an important code-breaking event of WWII. Published in September 2016 by MouseWorks Publishing, this work provides a springboard for younger readers unfamiliar with code breaking to select lengthier, more detailed works on the personnel, equipment, and technology associated with this important development. Spencer's writing style is faithful to historical events while at the same time entertaining to contemporary readers.
The HMS Bulldog was an escort vessel responsible for the safety of supply ship convoys in the North Atlantic. German submarines traveling in wolf packs and communicating with each other in code using Enigma machines were successful in disrupting and attacking the convoys according to plans that were unknown by the Allied Powers.
Kapitanleutnant Fritz-Julius Kemp had just sunk two British supply ships and confirmed the sinking by looking through his periscope. That mistake had created a “periscope wake” which was spotted by a watch officer on a small boat, The information was passed on to two destroyers, The Broadway and The Bulldog which joined in pursuit of the German submarine. It had surfaced due to damage from depth charges. Now all the British had to do was destroy the submarine by further shelling or by ramming the submarine causing it to sink. But Captain Baker-Cresswell of The Bulldog had a better idea. He would board the submarine and capture any equipment deemed valuable. There was danger in this in that it was known the German submarine commander would have rigged his boat to blow up in order to avoid anything being captured.
What follows is a very detailed account of the boarding of the submarine and removal by the British of anything deemed valuable. It could not all be done in one trip. On the second recovery mission, a signals person from The Bulldog went on the scavenging mission. He could not believe the Enigma machine had been left behind by the first mission. And then comes a fact about secrecy that may surprise some reader. The signalman knew right away what he was looking at. The British Navy officers had not recognized it. Everything connected with Enigma was highly classified on a need-to-know basis. The officers had no need to know. But a lower ranking signals person did.
Patrick Spencer has produced yet another short, entertaining account of an important event in the history of WWII. It should inspire deeper, more detailed reading.
The HMS Bulldog was an escort vessel responsible for the safety of supply ship convoys in the North Atlantic. German submarines traveling in wolf packs and communicating with each other in code using Enigma machines were successful in disrupting and attacking the convoys according to plans that were unknown by the Allied Powers.
Kapitanleutnant Fritz-Julius Kemp had just sunk two British supply ships and confirmed the sinking by looking through his periscope. That mistake had created a “periscope wake” which was spotted by a watch officer on a small boat, The information was passed on to two destroyers, The Broadway and The Bulldog which joined in pursuit of the German submarine. It had surfaced due to damage from depth charges. Now all the British had to do was destroy the submarine by further shelling or by ramming the submarine causing it to sink. But Captain Baker-Cresswell of The Bulldog had a better idea. He would board the submarine and capture any equipment deemed valuable. There was danger in this in that it was known the German submarine commander would have rigged his boat to blow up in order to avoid anything being captured.
What follows is a very detailed account of the boarding of the submarine and removal by the British of anything deemed valuable. It could not all be done in one trip. On the second recovery mission, a signals person from The Bulldog went on the scavenging mission. He could not believe the Enigma machine had been left behind by the first mission. And then comes a fact about secrecy that may surprise some reader. The signalman knew right away what he was looking at. The British Navy officers had not recognized it. Everything connected with Enigma was highly classified on a need-to-know basis. The officers had no need to know. But a lower ranking signals person did.
Patrick Spencer has produced yet another short, entertaining account of an important event in the history of WWII. It should inspire deeper, more detailed reading.
September 25, 2016
It was difficult escorting ships during World War 2 when German submarines were on the prowl. This story describes how the HMS Bulldog damaged and captured a sub that carried a very critical piece of equipment that led to cracking codes. The tale fits the short story genre. This account does include sources used that are normally found in a non-fiction work. Even so, it is an eye-catching summary about a critical moment in war.
December 13, 2016
"War Secret Revealed"
This short true story highlights a portion of World War II where a British commander is leading a convoy across the North Atlantic. The German hunting ships and U-boats were using the coded Enigma machine and German ciphers to ambush the British and American vessels. This is an interesting historical account which can be read in 30 minutes. It's a quick glimpse of history which is well written and easy to read.
This short true story highlights a portion of World War II where a British commander is leading a convoy across the North Atlantic. The German hunting ships and U-boats were using the coded Enigma machine and German ciphers to ambush the British and American vessels. This is an interesting historical account which can be read in 30 minutes. It's a quick glimpse of history which is well written and easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews