Publisher: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston. NY 1969
First Edition
Foreword by Captain Edward L. Beach, U.S. Navy.
364 pages -- Approx Size: 8.5 in by 5.75 in

Iron coffins : A personal account of the German U-boat battles of World War II
Herbert A. Werner - former U-boat Commander

Of Germany’s 842 U-boats operational in the Second World War, no fewer than 779 were sunk—“iron coffins,” as Captain Herbert Werner called them, to some 28,000 submariners. Yet back in 1939 that outcome was anything but certain, indeed Winston Churchill stated in his war memoirs that “The only peril that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril.”

Werner’s account of the war at sea is intensely personal, often reading like a novel. It became an instant bestseller on publication in 1969 and has rarely been out of print since, largely because of its taut prose style and electrifying story. “U-230 set out to sea at dusk,” opens Chapter 15, for example. “We took advantage of a moonless night and separated from our convoy as soon as the cliffs receded into darkness. We steered a south-westerly course, a straight line into ‘Death valley.’” Anyone who enjoyed the TV series Das Boot will love this true-life story of courage, endurance, camaraderie, but ultimately murderous intent.

Very good with deckled edges. Black cloth covers. Spotting can be removed. I tried a spot. (No pun intended :) No dust jacket. Please see photos, enlarge and email with any questions you may have. Thanks for looking.

Check out and Like our Page!