Reading a history written by an accomplished historian is always worth the effort and Michael Gannon's work is no exception. BLACK MAY , published in 1998, is an epic story of a brief period during the naval war of World War II. The story examines the events of May 1943 which marked the turning of the tide in the North Atlantic against Nazi Germany's U-Boats, which had been the scourge of all shipping since the outbreak of war in September, 1939.
Mr. Gannon is a professor emeritus of history at Univ. of Florida where he has taught for many years. He is the author of 7 other histories, including a history of Spanish Borderlands which garnered awards from the Spanish government. His timely effort led him to interviews with many of the surviving participants who were able to recall specific events and give personal recollections that add considerable color to the facts as they unfolded.
Prior to May '43, Allies were still struggling against Adm. Karl Donitz' submarines which had been operating from bases in occupied France. These base locations enabled the sub fleet to avoid the choke points in the Baltic Sea and the Iceland Gap. It also lowered turn around times for the boats, increasing an overall presence along convoy routes from North America to Western Europe and Russia's northern ports(Murmansk).
Much of this war-at-sea chronicle has been told, mentioned as a back story to the land and air war that captured headlines during the same period. Part of this can be explained by a few pertinent factors: few if any sailors on board a sub, survived a sinking; most didn't. Successful sub commanders usually were eventual casualties themselves as continued service would negate a good outcome. A majority of German subs never encountered a viable target. Gannon places the figure at over 50 per cent.
More later.
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