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Franz Kurowski
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U-48: The Most Successful U-Boat of the Second World War Hardcover – March 14, 2012

by Franz Kurowski (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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Following the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, Germany was not permitted to build or operate submarines. However clandestine training onboard Finnish and Spanish submarines took place and U-boats were still built to German designs in Dutch yards.

At the outset of the Second World War, Dönitz argued for a 300-strong U-boat fleet, since his force of 57 U-boats ‘could only inflict pin-pricks against British seaborne trade’. In August 1939, U-48 left Germany, commanded by ‘Vaddi’ Schultze, to take up a waiting position around England.

It scored its first success on 5 September, when it torpedoed the British freighter Royal Sceptre, then the Winkleigh on 8 September. On both occasions – the first of many – Schultze showed himself to be a notable humanitarian: he addressed signals to Churchill giving positions of the sinkings so that crews could be saved.

By 1 August 1941, U-48, the most successful boat of the Second World War, had sunk 56 merchant ships of 322,478 gross tons and one corvette. She was then transferred to the Baltic as a training boat. Schultze became commander of operation 3 U-Flotilla and later was appointed commander, II/Naval College Schleswig. He died in 1987 at the age of 78. U-48 was scuttled on 3 May 1945.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    208 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Frontline Books
  4. Publication date
    March 14, 2012
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1848326068
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1848326064
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book gives readers a detailed description of how the commanders of U-48 proved incredibly successful by sinking or damaging fifty-seven vessels (322,500 total gross tonnage) in two years."
Naval Historical Foundation

"Viewing German U-Boat activity in the early days of the Second World War through the periscope of a single submarine allows Kurowski to introduce new students to the subject, and still provide something new for more experienced readers."
The Northern Mariner

About the Author

Franz Kurowski is an author and historian.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Frontline Books; First Edition (March 14, 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1848326068
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848326064
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.22 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

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Franz Kurowski

Franz Kurowski

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book if you like subs
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2023
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well written
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ken
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2023
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I really enjoyed reading it
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Thomas M. Russell III
4.0 out of 5 stars Get 'Em While The Getting's Good!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2013
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To me, this was an excellent example of a well-commanded and well-sailed German submarine in the early years of WW II when large convoys of merchant vessels were sent to sea with minimal and simple protective coverage. The numbers alone tell the story of cut and slash from September 1939 to the beginning of 1943. The book contains much detail in the business of submarine warfare, but in equal measure are the descriptions of submarine actions on patrol. Being a 20 year submariner from 1948 to 1967, I could see myself on board U-48 and being a part of it all. The detail part of the book can get long, but the action part makes up for it. U-48 had incredible good fortune and she caught my heart.
21 people found this helpful
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Raymond J. Grochowski
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Historic Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2014
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Been exposed to a fair amount of U-Boat readings. This book is a documentation of one boat's effectiveness. It also confirms the shortcomings of German leadership in directing the war effort. We all are aware of Hitler's military leadership. This book only puts another nail in his coffin of military failings.
3 people found this helpful
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james henry baker
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read if your into the history of the battle for the Atlantic
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2013
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A fantastic account of U boat life on the high seas & the battle for the Atlantic. Why these men went out time & time again, but as with all men in war they do it for the bloke standing next to him not the politicians who send them.
6 people found this helpful
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meoramri
5.0 out of 5 stars History told in story form
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2018
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Unlike reading a dry history book, this is written in a more story novel style which is more engaging.
2 people found this helpful
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Dashound72
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2019
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Good book
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars i HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN THIS PART OF WWll
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
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i HAVE A GREAT INTEREST IN THIS PART OF WWll, and this book was very interesting. Most of the action was in the first two years of the war which is consistent with what I have learned from other books. Well worth reading and a book I wanted to put in my collection.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Alan Drury
5.0 out of 5 stars It sunk my Dad!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is the uboat that sunk my Dad when he was in the merchant navy in WW2.. at 18 he then survived 16 days in a lifeboat... fought through the rest of the war... met Mum... and then raised his sons. Thanks to Amazon I found this book and loved the memories it rekindled.
3 people found this helpful
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philippe-onhaye-belgique
4.0 out of 5 stars livre légendaire
Reviewed in France on November 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
très bon livre bien connu des amateurs dommage que la version française n'existe pas (a ma connaissance!!),a recommander malgré tout!
l'envoi a été perdu par la poste,le revendeur a pris a sa charge de m'en envoyer un autre dans les plus bref délai!bravo+++++
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Siobhan
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2018
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Great book.
One person found this helpful
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