In this reprint from 2007, Kurowski, a freelance journalist and author who fought with the Afrika Korps as a Luftwaffe paratrooper, presents a history of the U-48, and its successes and commander, Herbert "Vaddi" Schultze, during World War II. He describes how Germany was not permitted to build or operate submarines after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, but secretly built U-boats in Dutch yards. The U-48 was deployed in 1939 and sank 56 merchant ships by 1941, and he details each of its patrols during this period. By 1941, it was defeated by increasing numbers of escorts, more maritime patrol aircraft, better antisubmarine detection equipment, and improved escort tactics by the British. It was then transferred to the Baltic as a training boat. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)