Kindle Price: $23.70

Save $0.29 (1%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Wolfgang Hirschfeld
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Hirschfeld: The Secret Diary of a U-Boat Kindle Edition

by Geoffrey Brooks (Author), Wolfgang Hirschfeld (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
See all formats and editions
Whilst there have been many memoirs written by U-boat commanders of the Second World War, a book such as this, based upon the diaries of a senior Petty Officer telegraphist, written in 'real time' is something very special. Wolfgang Hirschfeld, whose diaries Geoffrey Brooks has translated is a born story teller. The principal chapters describe his experiences during six war patrols in U-109, in which he served as the senior telegraphist. His is a tale which covers the whole kaleidescope of emotions shared by men at war—a story of immense courage and fortitude, of remarkable comradeship born of the dangers, frustrations and privations shared and of transitory moments of triumph. Throughout runs a vein of humour, without which resistance to stress would have been virtually impossible. We get to know one of Germany's great U-boat aces, 'Ajax' Bleichrodt, holder of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and, in a special biographical appendix, learn how he finally cracked under the strain. The role of Admiral Karl Donitz, the dynamic commander of the U-boat service, so fascinatingly described by Hirschfeld, is of special interest—not least because even this dedicated Nazi had clearly realized by September, 1942, that the war was fast being lost. In 1944 Hirschfeld was promoted Warrant Officer and found himself on a large, schnorkel-equipped boat (U-234) heading for Japan with a load of high technology equipment and, in addition, a quantity of uranium ore. The possible significance of that uranium has been deeply researched by Geoffrey Brooks and is discussed in a second appendix.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    350 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Frontline Books
  5. Publication date
    November 11, 2011
  6. File size
    7145 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Geoffrey Brooks was an experienced author, researcher and historian. He translated and edited Hirschfeld - The Secret Diary of a U-Boat NCO and Fips - Legendary U-Boat Commander 1915-18. He was the author of Hitler's Nuclear Weapons.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00L1E1SF0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Frontline Books; Illustrated edition (November 11, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 11, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7145 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 39 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Wolfgang Hirschfeld

Wolfgang Hirschfeld

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
39 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Richard Burzelman
5.0 out of 5 stars Good u boat book
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was a enjoyable book to 're ad and gave me a lot of insite on the war in a u boat. Will be looking
for more books on the subject.
Helpful
 Report
Keith E. Budzynski
4.0 out of 5 stars A Personal View of the Battle of the Atlantic
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
A good personal view of the actions in the Battle of the Atlantic. The information on U-109 is better than U-234. The authors third item in the Appendix on the passage to Norway is a little strange, but that is from the author and not Hirschfeld.
Helpful
 Report
Neal Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good detail and some delightful uboat humor
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
I have read a lot of U-boat books , from the time I was 10. This was an unexpected pleasure, I am very grateful for this English translation . I recommend this book, it gives a lot of detail and flavor of the challenges faced by a U-boat crew . Fighting the convoy wars was not all fun and games. Just routine operation of a World War II German submarine was dangerous. Hirschfeld : the secret diary of a uboat in NCO should be in every submarine aficionado's library.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
james henry baker
5.0 out of 5 stars An ordinary seamans account of life in the U boat service
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
Brilliantly written. it's different to read an account from one of the crew, rather than a commander of a U Boat
Helpful
 Report
customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Hirschfeld's story of his U-boat svc
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
Highly recommend this.
Helpful
 Report
Hector Luis
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
partially posted poorly informed. I do not reccomend this book
Helpful
 Report
Kenneth C. Hohhof
5.0 out of 5 stars One man's experiences on a IXB at war
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2023
The author was a senior radioman/soundman/medic on U-109 (a type IXB U-boat) for several war patrols, under two different captains. This is based on his diary. He talks about day to day life on board, the successes, the hardships, and the scary episodes. As a radioman, he was better informed than many, and had frequent conversations with his CO. A submarine is a very crowded and close community, and there was constant contact with other crew members, commissioned and enlisted both. You get an insight into their thoughts and personalities not found in most books of this kind. (note: Lt. Keller was later given command of his own sub and died with his ship after attack by carrier aircraft. He never knew what hit him)
I bought this while I was stationed in Germany, and find it to be a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable read. My copy is, of course, in German. I have not read the English version; if the translator is good, you will also enjoy reading it.
Helpful
 Report
antonio silveira
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
I am delighted !
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Tomek
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and nicely written.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
It was interesting experience to see how it looked from the other side. I always find interesting to hear history from both sides which stimulates own conclusions. It is written in such way that you would read it almost like a novel (not just dry historical facts). It's also a good reminder where we have been no more than dozen years ago, what was happening then and to see how surprisingly it all developed to today situation.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars a unique history of U boat life
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
An excellent account of life on a U boat, as an ex naval radio operator I was able to equate to Hirschfeld and his job as a U boat radioman.
Report
peter john davies
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
very good read.
Report
Aileen
3.0 out of 5 stars u-boat warfare
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
An average account of u-boat warfare during WW2. seen through the eyes of a none commissioned radio officer (German) yes it is interesting, though not a classic, but would still recommend.
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report