War in the Boats

War in the Boats chronicles William J. Ruhe's experiences as a U.S. Navy submarine officer during World War II in the Pacific theater. Through first-hand accounts, Ruhe documents the wartime operations of multiple submarines, including the USS Seawolf and USS Raton. The narrative follows Ruhe's progression from a junior officer to a seasoned veteran across multiple war patrols. His account includes the tactical and technical aspects of submarine warfare, life aboard the vessels, and the complex relationship between crew members during long deployments. The book presents the strategic elements of the U.S. submarine campaign against Japanese shipping while maintaining focus on the human experience of underwater combat. Ruhe details the practical challenges of torpedo attacks, evasive maneuvers, and equipment maintenance in hostile waters. This memoir stands as both a historical record and an examination of leadership under extreme conditions. Through Ruhe's observations, readers gain insight into how submarine warfare shaped both individual sailors and the broader course of the Pacific War.

Readers praise the firsthand submarine combat accounts from WWII and appreciate Ruhe's detailed descriptions of patrol operations and daily life aboard USS Drum and USS Cobia. Multiple reviews note the book provides technical information while remaining accessible to general readers. Specific praise focuses on Ruhe's matter-of-fact writing style and his inclusion of both successful missions and failed attacks. Several readers highlighted the authentic portrayal of tension during depth charge attacks. Common criticisms mention repetitive passages and a sometimes disjointed narrative flow between different patrols. A few readers wanted more context about the broader Pacific submarine campaign. Ratings: Amazon: 4.3/5 (48 ratings) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (35 ratings) Notable review quotes: "Offers the reality of submarine warfare without sensationalism" - Amazon reviewer "Could have used better editing but the first-person perspective makes it worthwhile" - Goodreads reviewer

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🌊 William J. Ruhe served as a submarine officer during World War II, commanding three different submarines during his naval career - the USS Cobia, USS Greenfish, and USS Rock. ⚓ The book provides firsthand accounts of eight war patrols in the Pacific Theater, including detailed descriptions of attacking Japanese ships and evading depth charges. 🗺️ The narrative covers operations from multiple submarine bases including Pearl Harbor, Fremantle (Australia), and Subic Bay (Philippines). 📜 Ruhe kept meticulous personal journals during his wartime service, which he used decades later to ensure accurate details when writing "War in the Boats." 🎖️ The U.S. submarine force, while comprising less than 2% of naval personnel during WWII, was responsible for sinking over 30% of Japan's navy and 55% of its merchant fleet.