| Entry Text: | HIRSCHFELD, Wolfgang. Hirschfeld: The Story of a U-Boat NCO 1940–1946. xvi, 253p., bibliog., illus., index. London: Cooper; Annapolis, NIP, 1996. ISBN: 0850525314.
An interesting and unusual perspective from a PO Telegraphist. He joined up in 1935 and in 1940 was transferred to submarines. The bulk of the book is concerned with his six war patrols in U 109, captained by Axel Bleichrodt. They had very mixed fortune. At the beginning of 1943 he was selected for a Warrant Officer's course. Early in 1944 he joined the new schnorkel boat U 234 captained by Heinrich Fehler. She was not ready for sea until March 1945 when she was loaded with a mixed cargo including uranium for Japan. The tenseness of the U-boats' surrender and subsequent imprisonment of and brutality toward the crews is well described. |
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