Things that bother me about "Iron Coffins"

Westbroek · 04-08-10, 09:11 PM

I don't hate you Subnuts. Well played.

The truth is a stubborn thing.

mcarlsonus · 04-08-10, 10:27 PM

Since I'm almost universally hated anyway, I feel compelled to post I thought Thunder Below was also overrated and more a paean to the inflated ego and overinflated self-worth of Eugene Fluckey, the author and Captain of the USS Barb. The constant self-aggrandizing simply stuck in my craw. I, for one, remain unconvinced the Allies would've lost the Pacific War if not for, "Gene!"

Give me Clear the Bridge!: The War Patrols of the USS Tang by her Captain, Richard O'Kane anyday!

gimpy117 · 04-08-10, 10:52 PM

i think the reason there is not a lot of backlash is that there simply aren't that many U-boat vets around...

Nordmann · 04-08-10, 10:52 PM

Take Her Deep! by I. J. Galantin is a good read, it really captures the long and tedious nature of patrols in the Pacific, and the frequent disappointments of the crew. If anyone has yet to read it, I really would recommend it.

Westbroek · 04-08-10, 10:58 PM

Take Her Deep was a great read, though I did get a few raised eyebrows at the title.

Though it's also about fleet boats... everyone should read "Wahoo: The patrols of America's Most Famous Submarine." It's written by Richard O'Kane, the XO of the ship for 5 patrols (Wahoo was sunk on the 7th) who later captained the Tang, which sank from a circle-runner. He survived...it's an amazing story and he's an amazing captain and man. God rest him.

edit: Hey this is my 100th post, yay

Onkel Neal · 04-08-10, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westbroek

everyone should read "Wahoo: The patrols of America's Most Famous Submarine." It's written by Richard O'Kane, the XO of the ship for 5 patrols (Wahoo was sunk on the 7th) who later captained the Tang, which sank from a circle-runner. He survived...it's an amazing story and he's an amazing captain and man. God rest him.

And features Deadly Dudley, our best skipper up to that time.

mcarlsonus · 04-08-10, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

And features Deadly Dudley, our best skipper up to that time.

a.k.a. "Mushmouth," later shortened to, "Mush." Saw him recently in some US Navy WW2-era footage on...History Channel? Had him at the periscope, crouched down, chomping on cigar sticking out of the starboard side of the mouth, yelling orders...
they don't make 'em like that anymore. The US Navy Submarine forces recently decided the smoking lamp would never again be lit in the Boats!

Westbroek · 04-09-10, 12:05 AM

Morton...What a captain. What a character. Seriously the book is so chock full of great stories of the men he served with and peppered with so many subtle observations and recollections that it really requires more than one read through to be fully enjoyed. Highly recommend.

IanC · 04-09-10, 12:17 AM

The best part of Iron Coffins is when Werner casually mentions how he single handedly shot down an airplane with a WW1 water cooled machine gun!

Who's da man!

Having said that, I still think his book is one of the best out there, errors and all.
Just consider it a novel if you want, the book does what it's suppose to do, and I think it does it well.

mcarlsonus · 04-08-10, 11:01 PM

I really do wonder if part of the success of Iron Coffins is due to having the Foreword written by Edward Beach, the author of Run Silent, Run Deep and the first captain of a nuclear boat to circumnavigate the globe in USS Triton, 1960. The guy's a legend and still enjoys god-like status among the US Navy elite.

mcarlsonus · 04-08-10, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westbroek

Take Her Deep was a great read, though I did get a few raised eyebrows at the title.

Though it's also about fleet boats... everyone should read "Wahoo: The patrols of America's Most Famous Submarine." It's written by Richard O'Kane, the XO of the ship for 5 patrols (Wahoo was sunk on the 7th) who later captained the Tang, which sank from a circle-runner. He survived...it's an amazing story and he's an amazing captain and man. God rest him.

edit: Hey this is my 100th post, yay

Take Her Deep: A Submarine Against Japan in World War II was written by I. J. Galantin and concerns the author's command during the missions of the USS Halibut.

Nordmann · 04-08-10, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcarlsonus

Take Her Deep: A Submarine Against Japan in World War II was written by I. J. Galantin and concerns the author's command during the missions of the USS Halibut.

Indeed. No aggrandised achievements here, just his experiences.

04-08-10, 10:52 PM	#3
gimpy117 Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 3,243 Downloads: 108 Uploads: 0	i think the reason there is not a lot of backlash is that there simply aren't that many U-boat vets around... __________________ Member of the Subsim Zombie Army

04-08-10, 10:52 PM	#4
Nordmann Commodore Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: England Posts: 628 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Take Her Deep! by I. J. Galantin is a good read, it really captures the long and tedious nature of patrols in the Pacific, and the frequent disappointments of the crew. If anyone has yet to read it, I really would recommend it. __________________ "I must confess that my imagination refuses to see any sort of submarine doing anything but suffocating its crew and floundering at sea." - H. G. Wells

04-08-10, 09:11 PM	#1
Westbroek Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA Posts: 256 Downloads: 121 Uploads: 0	I don't hate you Subnuts. Well played. The truth is a stubborn thing.

04-08-10, 10:27 PM	#2
mcarlsonus Weps Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 362 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Since I'm almost universally hated anyway, I feel compelled to post I thought Thunder Below was also overrated and more a paean to the inflated ego and overinflated self-worth of Eugene Fluckey, the author and Captain of the USS Barb. The constant self-aggrandizing simply stuck in my craw. I, for one, remain unconvinced the Allies would've lost the Pacific War if not for, "Gene!" Give me Clear the Bridge!: The War Patrols of the USS Tang by her Captain, Richard O'Kane anyday!

04-08-10, 10:58 PM	#5
Westbroek Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA Posts: 256 Downloads: 121 Uploads: 0	Take Her Deep was a great read, though I did get a few raised eyebrows at the title. Though it's also about fleet boats... everyone should read "Wahoo: The patrols of America's Most Famous Submarine." It's written by Richard O'Kane, the XO of the ship for 5 patrols (Wahoo was sunk on the 7th) who later captained the Tang, which sank from a circle-runner. He survived...it's an amazing story and he's an amazing captain and man. God rest him. edit: Hey this is my 100th post, yay

04-09-10, 12:05 AM	#8
Westbroek Lieutenant Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: LA Posts: 256 Downloads: 121 Uploads: 0	Morton...What a captain. What a character. Seriously the book is so chock full of great stories of the men he served with and peppered with so many subtle observations and recollections that it really requires more than one read through to be fully enjoyed. Highly recommend.

04-09-10, 12:17 AM	#9
IanC Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Running silent and deep Posts: 902 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	The best part of Iron Coffins is when Werner casually mentions how he single handedly shot down an airplane with a WW1 water cooled machine gun! Who's da man! Having said that, I still think his book is one of the best out there, errors and all. Just consider it a novel if you want, the book does what it's suppose to do, and I think it does it well.

04-08-10, 11:01 PM	#10
mcarlsonus Weps Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 362 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	I really do wonder if part of the success of Iron Coffins is due to having the Foreword written by Edward Beach, the author of Run Silent, Run Deep and the first captain of a nuclear boat to circumnavigate the globe in USS Triton, 1960. The guy's a legend and still enjoys god-like status among the US Navy elite.