The first of two volumes covering the career histories of all of the U-boats which saw action in World War II. The histories of some 1200 vessels are covered and each entry aims to be easily accessible. Every aspect of a boat's activities are covered, from laying the keel to its ultimate fate. Each entry gives locations and dates of units and any boats served with, commanders, number of patrols undertaken, ships sunk along with names of vessels and locations, incidents of note, re-fuelling by U-tankers and supply ships, attacks on shipping, survivors picked up and finally the ultimate fate. Appendices allow cross-referencing and contain such material as Deutsches Feldpost Numbers.

A rapid reference source for every aspect of a boat's activities, from the laying of the keel to its ultimate fate.

No weapon platform sank more U-boats in the Second World War than the Allied aircraft. Whether it was an American ’plane operating from American escort carriers, US aircraft from Royal Air Force bases, or British aircraft from bases throughout the world, these officers and men became the most decisive factor in turning the tide of the Battle of the Atlantic against the German submarine threat. While the German crews could threaten escort vessels with torpedoes, or avoid them by remaining submerged, their leaders never developed an effective strategy against aircraft. However, the Allied aircraft did not enjoy much early success. British, Canadian and Australian air crews that fought the U-boats from 1939 until 1941 achieved few triumphs. They possessed neither the aircraft nor the bases necessary to deliver consistent lethal attacks against German submarines. In 1941, the Royal Air Force finally began implementing an effective aircraft response when it initiated training on the American-built Consolidated B-24 Liberators. Supported by other types then in service, these four-engine bombers would prove to be decisive. With America’s entry into the war, the United States Navy and the United States Army Air Forces also began employing Liberators against the U-boats so that by mid-1943, the Admiral Karl Dönitz, commander of U-boat forces, withdrew his submarines from the North Atlantic in recognition of the Allied aircraft’s new dominance. From Dönitz’s retreat to the end of the war, Allied aircraft continued to dominate the U-boat battle as it shifted to other areas including the Bay of Biscay. Dönitz eventually ordered his U-boats to remain on the surface and engage Allied aircraft as opposed to submerging. This approach did lead to the demise of some Allied aircraft, but it also resulted in even more U-boat being sunk. Most critically, Dönitz acknowledged with his new policy that he knew of no tactics or weapons that would defend his submarines from Allied aircraft. In the end, it was a matter of choosing whether his submariners would die submerged or die surfaced. Either way, Allied aircraft prevailed. The Allied Air Campaign Against Hitler’s U-Boats is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of this most crucial battle which helped turn the Battle of the Atlantic irrevocably in favour of the Allies.

This book is an Historical Account (some may say it is a Museum Exhibit all by itself) of the USS SOLOMONS CVE 67 and U860 which was sunk by the USS Solomons CVE 67. It is told by the crewmen and their photos. Its in the format of a Family Photo Album, by the time you finish reading this book, you will know these men Personally. This book makes it blatantly clear how important it is that we talk to our Veterens, record their stories and make copies of their photos. Who would have ever thought that 60 men could have enough stories to fill 547 pages, and over 810 photos, and documents, or that they would be so Happy! And willing to share Their Memories. Additionally, this book shows just how little time we have left to record their memories. Since I started this project in February of 2002, until now, March 2005, five of the men that contributed to this book have already passed away. They will never get to see the book that they helped write. They are now Gone Forever! BUT! They will now be Remembered Forever!, along with their stories and photos. The five men are: David R. Green S1/c, USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 27 April 2002, Age 77 Frank S. Rojewski S1/c USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 10 May 2003 Age 76 Joseph Ernest Comeau S1/c, USS Solomons CVE 67 (My Dad); Passed Away 26 June 2003, Age 77 Adolf Lundquist, U860 Crewman(U860 was sunk by USS Solomons CVE 67); Passed Away December 2003, Age 90 Joseph Montana, USS Solomons CVE 67; Passed Away 12 January 2005, Age 78 Read this book. Then talk to the Veteran that you know, write down His or Her stories and make copies of any photos. Put them in a folder, give each of His or Her Family members a copy, so that the Veteran will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!! OUR VETERENS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE REMEMBERED!! THANK YOU!! center REVIEWScenter Joseph Comeau’s book on the history of this can-do carrier and her World War II crew reads like a veteran’s scrapbook, which it is in a way. There’s no narrative in the traditional sense; the book consists of first-hand accounts, rare personal snapshots, and reproductions of contemporary documents, such as a "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet produced for new arrivals aboard the SOLOMONS. Comeau’s father, Joseph E. Comeau, Sr., served aboard the SOLOMONS, and the book is a tribute to Comeau Sr. and his shipmates. The book is a wealth of obscure photos and the small details of life aboard a "jeep" carrier during the Atlantic War. Doug Buchanan, Editor of Anchor Watch The Official Journal of the Historic Naval Ships Association, July 2005 This is a big book -large format, over 540 pages and 810 photographs -but regardless of its size this book is clearly a labor of love. For years Joseph Comeau would ask his father -Joseph Comeau Sr. -about his days in the Navy. His father would simply reply that he was on an Escort Carrier and that they were in the Atlantic. He sometimes added that he was also rather sad that there had never been a reunion for his fellow shipmates that served with him on the USS Solomons (CVE-67). In February 2002, Joseph Jr. got an idea. Using the far reach of the Internet, he began tracking down former Solomons crewmembers, quickly finding 35 men in just a few short months. Each time he found one he would ask that individual to write down memories of the ship and to send a copy of any photos he may have. Joseph Jr. stashed these materials away in a folder, which soon grew to over 235 pages. This he presented to his dad on Father’s Day of that year. It was the reunion that his father never had. Sadly, Joseph Comeau Sr. answered the final Call to Muster on 26 June 2003. This book, based on the original folder as well as further research, is a great piece of history. It is not necessarily a start to finish history of the USS Solomons, although there is a considerable amount of information on the ship, but rather individual stories of people with a common experience centered around the vessel in which they served, during a war that all fought.. This is a chronicle of the past in the most personal sense. There is a ton of history here and we highly recommend picking up a copy of this book. We would like to thank Joseph Jr. for undertaking this project -a gift from a son to his dad. David G. Powers, Editor of Logbook Great Aviation History, 2nd Quarter 2006

The Convoy represents a fresh approach to the story of the Battle of the Atlantic. It is also the first to deal with the more spectacular story of HG-76, a major turning point in the naval war. HG-76 sailed from Gibraltar to Britain in December 1941 and was specially targeted by the Germans. A wolfpack of U-boats was sent against it, and the Luftwaffe was heavily committed too in a rare example of German inter-service cooperation. German intelligence agents in Gibraltar and Spain also knew every detail of HG-76 before it had even sailed, seemingly stacking the odds in favour of the Kriegsmarine. Despite this the convoy fought its way through. Improved radar and sonar gave the convoy's escorts a slight edge over their opponents, while the escort group was led by Commander Walker, an anti-submarine expert who had developed new, aggressive U-boat hunting tactics. Previous Gibraltar convoys had been mauled by Luftwaffe bombers operating from French airfields. This time, though, HG-76 would be accompanied by HMS Audacity, the Royal Navy's first escort carrier – a new type of warship purpose-built to defend convoys from enemy aircraft and U-boats. Following seven days and nights of relentless attack, the horrors of which are brought home through a series of first-hand accounts, the convoy finally reached the safety of a British port for the loss of only two merchant ships. Its arrival was seen as the first real convoy victory of the war. Brought to life by expert naval historian Angus Konstam, The Convoy combines the story of the technical and tactical developments that won the Battle of the Atlantic for the Allies along with a narrative that reveals both the terror and the stubborn determination that defined the experiences of those that served on convoy duties.

A Companion to World War II brings together a series of fresh academic perspectives on World War II, exploring the many cultural, social, and political contexts of the war. Essay topics range from American anti-Semitism to the experiences of French-African soldiers, providing nearly 60 new contributions to the genre arranged across two comprehensive volumes. A collection of original historiographic essays that include cutting-edge research Analyzes the roles of neutral nations during the war Examines the war from the bottom up through the experiences of different social classes Covers the causes, key battles, and consequences of the war

In this book an internationally renowned team of historians provides comprehensive coverage of all major campaigns and theaters of World War II, synthesizing the tremendous breadth and depth of source materials on this global conflict. It includes primary-source documents created by both famous leaders and average citizens. World War II: The Essential Reference Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the major events, campaigns, battles, personalities, and issues of World War II, supplemented by a selection of primary-source documents. Comprising essays written by leading international scholars that introduce non-specialist readers to all the major theaters of the war, this volume covers the entire span—both geographically and chronologically—of this far-reaching conflict. A selection of official and personal documents conveys the emotionally charged tenor of the period and the tremendous psychological impact of the war on those involved in it, both directly and indirectly. The book includes scholarly essays on enduring dilemmas of World War II, such as whether the United States justified in dropping the atomic bomb on Japan, as well as comprehensive essays on the causes, course, and consequences of the war.