Book about convoys in WW2
One can scarcely find a better novel than this from which to learn the facts about convoy duty in WW2. The story follows the crew of a Royal Navy corvette through several years of brutal war. The hero (a young, inexperienced amateur sailor) is followed as he learns his grim trade (shepherding tankers, picking up survivors, attacking U-boats) -- a trade made miserable by the weather, the fearsome motion of the small ship, the sinkings, and the continuous fear. There is a brief love story, but for the most part the sex is pretty much what you would expect of sailors living a dangerous life. (A "cadet" version of the book was printed.)
The book is historically accurate and follows the rise and fall of the German U-boat service (who are very much the villains of the story). As the war progresses, the increasing numbers of ships and planes, the gowing skill of the sailors, and advent of sophisticated sonar, radar and anti-submarine weapons of the Royal Navy and U.S. Navy change the tide. Victory is achieved -- but at a great cost.
All in all it is a sobering and riveting story of a vital -- if inglorious -- piece of the war. The author served in corvettes.
