"Iron Coffins"

Ducimus · 11-17-06, 07:20 PM

I dont think hes stories about his private/love life were too much of a stretch. Having been a GI oversea's myself, i know all to well what he was talking about in some passages.

Han's Gruebler's "Steel boat, Iron Hearts" gives the enlisted man's point of view on alot of things, Nightlife included, and it's about the same thing, and again, some of it sounds all too familiar :P

mookiemookie · 11-17-06, 08:53 PM

I loved Iron Coffins. And I do forgive Werner for embellishing his (at the time) 25 year old memories. It was a great read and really put you in the mindset of these men.

When I was done reading it, I gave the book to my father as he said he hadn't read a lot of German U-boat material. My father served on the USS Skate in the late 60's and, while that was a bit after the WW2 era, after he finished it he said that book was spot on when it comes to what it was like being a submariner.

VIICDriver · 11-17-06, 11:18 PM

Yeah I think he mentions in the foreward or somewhere that the book was written from recollection and therefor could have some inaccuracies. As far as his boat not being listed in convoy battles he states he was in that happens all the time. Sometimes you'd get into one and get out quickly for whatever reason with no kills and therefor you were not there! It was a mayhem as war is and things gets smudged but I believe he fairly gave the account to the best of his ability.

As far as the "bedding", Hey it was war and I do not swing that way but by his pics I'd call him good looking for a sailor and everyone back then thought "I'll probably be dead tomorrow." I have heard of the meeting with the fairer sex tales from soldiers on both sides both land and sea. Alot of us on this forum are here now to verify that fact! LOL

Any other ones you guys come up with like this one let me know. First hand accounts like this I mean. I do not care to read .."On the 11th of Oct. U-693 and U-230 attacked a convoy in AM32 then..." etc. I have been riveted by this book and was really struck with sadness when hearing about his family and how he found out about it. About 20 pages left and every time I read a little of it I find myself firing up SH3!!

Chuck

BTW - Is Herr Warners pic included in the SH3 commander pic archive? I looked through them and see none that really look like him. As I look through those pics I feel like I'm looking at a bunch of soldiers who now lie somewhere on the ocean floor.

USS Sea Tiger · 11-17-06, 11:27 PM

Read it about 4 times now, Learn something new each time

Most of all,, prior to reading this, as a kid, I was always more interested in the air war and was always in trouble. I had read nothing of the U-boats or sea for that matter. While In Juvi hall for some stupid things a councler gave me this very book,

His writings mesmerized me with the sea,, and started my life on a whole new venture. I changed my life style so that I could someday go to sea. I joined the military, Army,, but the draw of the Sea was too strong, and I shifted to the Coast Guard after 6 years, Ironically my first ship, CGC Ingham had Sunk U-626 during WWII. I served and then retired with 16 years sea time.
Now, I am 44, working for the Coast Guard as a Civilian,, as a search and rescue Coord for Texas and La waters.
All because a friend gave me this volume and it changed my life forever. Funny how something so seemingly minor as giving a book, and reading anothers life can so drastically alter your own and set your life in a different path.

I only wish that I could have met this gentleman,, and told him how his book altered mine, and set me on a sucessful path for life.

VIICDriver · 11-17-06, 11:34 PM

I heard he was an American now living in Florida but have no clue as to whether or not he is still alive. Like you I would love to have met or meet him! He'd kick me out for asking too many questions!

Very interesting post U-94. Yeah life is full of small things that change it in a big way. I think of how I met my wife and what things would be like if I had not been working on THAT machine THAT day. Just stuff like that but everything happens for a reason, I used to not believe it but she always does and over time I have come to see how true it is.

Like you were when younger I am more of an aviator, current student pilot in a Piper Warrior but I'm beginning to think there is alot in common between the air and water. I see alot of similarities in the two.

Chuck

Jimbuna · 11-18-06, 06:07 AM

One of the better U-boat reads in my ever growing library

11-17-06, 08:53 PM	#2
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	I loved Iron Coffins. And I do forgive Werner for embellishing his (at the time) 25 year old memories. It was a great read and really put you in the mindset of these men. When I was done reading it, I gave the book to my father as he said he hadn't read a lot of German U-boat material. My father served on the USS Skate in the late 60's and, while that was a bit after the WW2 era, after he finished it he said that book was spot on when it comes to what it was like being a submariner. __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here. Last edited by mookiemookie; 11-17-06 at 09:07 PM.

11-17-06, 11:27 PM	#4
USS Sea Tiger XO Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 425 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	I have had thi book since about 1977 Read it about 4 times now, Learn something new each time Most of all,, prior to reading this, as a kid, I was always more interested in the air war and was always in trouble. I had read nothing of the U-boats or sea for that matter. While In Juvi hall for some stupid things a councler gave me this very book, His writings mesmerized me with the sea,, and started my life on a whole new venture. I changed my life style so that I could someday go to sea. I joined the military, Army,, but the draw of the Sea was too strong, and I shifted to the Coast Guard after 6 years, Ironically my first ship, CGC Ingham had Sunk U-626 during WWII. I served and then retired with 16 years sea time. Now, I am 44, working for the Coast Guard as a Civilian,, as a search and rescue Coord for Texas and La waters. All because a friend gave me this volume and it changed my life forever. Funny how something so seemingly minor as giving a book, and reading anothers life can so drastically alter your own and set your life in a different path. I only wish that I could have met this gentleman,, and told him how his book altered mine, and set me on a sucessful path for life.

11-18-06, 06:07 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	One of the better U-boat reads in my ever growing library __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-17-06, 07:20 PM	#1
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	I dont think hes stories about his private/love life were too much of a stretch. Having been a GI oversea's myself, i know all to well what he was talking about in some passages. Han's Gruebler's "Steel boat, Iron Hearts" gives the enlisted man's point of view on alot of things, Nightlife included, and it's about the same thing, and again, some of it sounds all too familiar :P

11-17-06, 11:18 PM	#3
VIICDriver Engineer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 203 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Yeah I think he mentions in the foreward or somewhere that the book was written from recollection and therefor could have some inaccuracies. As far as his boat not being listed in convoy battles he states he was in that happens all the time. Sometimes you'd get into one and get out quickly for whatever reason with no kills and therefor you were not there! It was a mayhem as war is and things gets smudged but I believe he fairly gave the account to the best of his ability. As far as the "bedding", Hey it was war and I do not swing that way but by his pics I'd call him good looking for a sailor and everyone back then thought "I'll probably be dead tomorrow." I have heard of the meeting with the fairer sex tales from soldiers on both sides both land and sea. Alot of us on this forum are here now to verify that fact! LOL Any other ones you guys come up with like this one let me know. First hand accounts like this I mean. I do not care to read .."On the 11th of Oct. U-693 and U-230 attacked a convoy in AM32 then..." etc. I have been riveted by this book and was really struck with sadness when hearing about his family and how he found out about it. About 20 pages left and every time I read a little of it I find myself firing up SH3!! Chuck BTW - Is Herr Warners pic included in the SH3 commander pic archive? I looked through them and see none that really look like him. As I look through those pics I feel like I'm looking at a bunch of soldiers who now lie somewhere on the ocean floor.

11-17-06, 11:34 PM	#5
VIICDriver Engineer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lynchburg, VA Posts: 203 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	I heard he was an American now living in Florida but have no clue as to whether or not he is still alive. Like you I would love to have met or meet him! He'd kick me out for asking too many questions! Very interesting post U-94. Yeah life is full of small things that change it in a big way. I think of how I met my wife and what things would be like if I had not been working on THAT machine THAT day. Just stuff like that but everything happens for a reason, I used to not believe it but she always does and over time I have come to see how true it is. Like you were when younger I am more of an aviator, current student pilot in a Piper Warrior but I'm beginning to think there is alot in common between the air and water. I see alot of similarities in the two. Chuck