In the latter days of the Second World War, a U-boat group leader
tries to maintain morale and keep his crews alive.
Something of a return to strength after Reeman's more
contemporary (non-war) books. Yes, we've got what's becoming his
standard tortured hero putting on a brave face for the men under his
command, but we're not just fighting at sea: there's also life between
patrols on the submarine base, keeping very effectively to a thin line
between blind obedience to the system and treacherous questioning of
orders.
Other major characters include the lieutenant who lost his previous
captain in murky circumstances, and an ordinary seaman who's more (or
perhaps less) than he seems.
Background historical events include the invasion of Normandy, the 20
July plot, and the final end of the Kriegsmarine's U-boat arm. This
isn't a particularly subtle book, and certainly one shouldn't expect
much in the way of surprises, but it does its job of being an exciting
and fast-moving wartime story.
It even has something approximating a happy ending for at least some
of the people involved.
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