Lone Wolf

This book relates the life and the death of the rebel German seaman who became one of the most successful U-Boat commanders of World War II. The story of Werner Henke--and a narrative outlining the history of his boat, U-515, and its crew--forms the basis for a biography of a man who defies the stereotypes of German character, who never fit in as a career officer in the German Navy, but who chose a suicidal death in acceptance of the code of the military service whose rules he continually bent and broke. Though the story Mulligan relates is engrossing and action-packed, it is also a carefully documented study that breaks new ground in uncovering the sociological background of Henke and his crew; in short, it is a study in German history as well as a biography of a U-Boat Commander.

Examining the backgrounds and attitudes of the crew, including their views on Hitler and the treatment of the Jews, Mulligan sheds new light on the men who constituted an elite in Hitler's Wehrmacht. The story of U-515 is also closely correlated to the overall conduct of the U-Boat war, including assessments of Karl Donitz's strategy, the influence of technological innovations, and the contributions of Allied signal intelligence. Henke's confrontation with the Gestapo and a detailed account of the sinking of the passenger liner Ceramic further add to the story, revealing the complex reality behind an image too long dominated by propaganda stereotypes.

"offers fresh insights into the Battle of the Atlantic through the story of a U-boat service that would ultimately lose three quarters of its men . . . " --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Booknews

A coursebook consisting of 12 units for a two-hour per week language course on the language needed by teachers and pupils to conduct classroom business in English. Covers standard situations such as classroom surroundings, working with texts, and modern technology in the classroom, with worksheets, dialogues, and activities. Designed for German-speaking future teachers of English during their initial training, and for practicing teachers. No index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

TIMOTHY P. MULLIGAN is an archivist specializing in captured German and World War II era U.S. military and naval records.