Wolf Pack: The American Submarine Strategy That Helped Destroy Japan

When it comes to the role of submarines in World War II, the focus of history has been centered upon German U-boats and the Allied effort to defeat them. Despite the work of many authors, including Clay Blair and his outstanding study "Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan," the flood tide of books on the subject is still running heavily in favor of the Battle of the Atlantic. That is a shame, because the role of American submarines in the Pacific is a big reason why we defeated the Japanese. Hopefully, Steven Smith's excellent "Wolf Pack" will help make this point clear to a new generation of readers.Wolf Pack (a name usually reserved for groups of German U-boats) begins with a good discussion on the development submarine warfare and tactics from World War I through the interim years, and how the Germans perfected the art of attack against Allied convoys. This is important because these tactics were copied and applied to the Pacific War by the Americans. It can also make for slow reading, but it is well done and important.Unlike so many authors, Smith relies primarily on manuscript sources and a wide variety of firsthand accounts to weave an interesting, informative, and generally well-written account of the men and equipment used to destroy the Japanese merchant fleet and bring the empire to its knees. The writing varies from workmanlike (especially when covering technical details) to compelling (when he is narrating battle action). Although the men initially frowned upon sinking merchant ships and were instead actively seeking capital ships, they soon learned that the fastest way to win the war was to sink the island empire's merchant shipping. And they did, with gusto.In many ways this book reminded this reviewer of Peter Padfield's "The War Beneath the Sea: Submarine Conflict in World War II" (still one of the best single volumes on the subject ever written) where the men involved drive the narrative. Smith's effective use of biographical portraits is very effective and allows the reader to meet men as diverse as Karl Donitz, Sam Dealey, Earl Hydemann, and Charles Lockwood. The only disappointment I have (and it is admittedly minor) is that lesser-known commanders like Ralph Metcalf of the USS Pogy are largely ignored. Admiral Metcalf is still alive and conducted several amazing patrols-including one that sunk a diesel-filled Japanese submarine. He appears not to have been contacted or consulted. Similarly, the accidental sinking of the USS Extractor by the submarine Guardfish (a significant lesser known but fascinating episode that confirms the danger and stress under which these seamen lived), did not receive coverage. It was written about by radar technician Claude Conner in "Nothing friendly in the Vicinity: My War Patrols on the USS Guardfish." What is in the book, however, is well presented gripping historical writing. It is well worth its price and adds significantly to the literature.

As a veteran of five submarine war patrols, including the Hellcats venture into the Sea of Japan, I found "Wolf Pack" to be very well done and as accurate as can be hoped for, considering the passage of time. The author did an excellent job of putting the whole story of the development and prosecution of wolf pack tactics into context. Combat submarines typically spent two months at sea followed by one month for refit, R & R and training. While at sea we maintained radio silence and, while surfaced, copied radio traffic on the sub frequencies, resulting in a fragmented picture of what was happening. Steven Smith has done a fine job of recreating a picture of what was taking place, helping me to finally understand things that I was part of.His rendition of the Hellcats Sea of Japan venture was excellent. It could have been improved only by writing it twenty years earlier when most of the participants were still alive to add their views and stories to the record. My plaudits to Smith for an excellent piece of work.

A valuable addition to anyone's naval library. Information gleaned from much research by the author. Details of each pack's patrol never seen before. Also of interest were the many trials and tribulations that Admiral Lockwood faced in getting the proper equipment for his submarines. The FM Sonar (Hell's Bells) enabled the subs to get into Japan's backyard (Sea of Japan) for the first time. The first wolf pack there sank some 28 ships and were only able to get into the Sea by using the untested in combat, FM Sonar. Other details were uncovered by the author such as the Navy's use of a grid system in numbering the areas of the Pacific and the publication of a doctrine for submarine commanders which was a document similar to the German "The U-Boat Commander's Handbook."The terror felt by crew members when undergoing an attack or transversing a minefield was well described by the author as was the real comradship only felt by elite units of the military in times of danger. Humor was added as well to make the book real as were many direct quotes from commanding officers and Admiral Lockwood. A sure bet and a must have for all historians.