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Another Place, Another Time: A U-boat Officer's Wartime Album Paperback – April 15, 2011

by Donald Graves E. (Author), Werner Hirschmann (Author)

4.9 26 ratings

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As a boy growing up in Germany, Werner Hirschmann dreamed of going to sea. In 1940, he was accepted as an officer cadet in the Kriegsmarine, the German navy, and after rigorous training became an engineer officer in the elite U-Boot-Waffe or submarine service.

Using his wartime diaries and remarkable photograph albums, as well as historical documents, Werner Hirschmann recounts the many interesting episodes in his naval career, including serving on a destroyer that escorted Bismarck on her last operation, U-boat operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, being besieged by the Americans at the U-boat base at Lorient in France, and his last patrol to North America in 1945, on which his submarine, U-190, sank HMCS Esquimalt, the last Canadian warship lost during the war.

Hirschmann provides a unique view of the day-to-day life of a U-boat officer who, like young men on both sides, did his best to enjoy life while trying to do his duty. An epilogue describes his postwar life as a prisoner-of-war in Canada and Britain. After the war, he moved to Canada, where he pursued a successful career and eventually became an honorary member of the veterans’ association of HMCS Esquimalt.

A key feature for many readers is the technical section that provides a detailed pictorial tour of the Type IX/C40 U-boat, including many previously unpublished photographs discovered in Canadian archives.

This paperback edition is printed on the same high-quality paper as the original hardcover to ensure the best reproduction of the many superb photos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is not ‘another book about U-boats.’ This is a unique book, bullied from Hirschmann some 55 years after the time described, about a German submariner and it is a delight to read.” — The Naval Review

“When studying the U-boat war, we tend to forget that the sailors involved had families, girlfriends, wives, and children on the home front. Trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy amidst increasing decay in Germany was daunting, yet Hirschmann puts a very human face on all that was happening. He likely would have remained invisible to history save for the efforts of Donald Graves. … Future generations will be grateful. Unfortunately, this book will never be as celebrated as Iron Coffins – but that is almost the brilliance of it. Hirschman takes a decidedly low-key theme in relating his wartime adventures, and that makes it easy to connect with what he is saying. He is not over-the-top in describing U-boat warfare, in fact he stresses the weeks and weeks of monotony, which more than offset the combat the boat saw. The book flows extremely well, and is richly illustrated with photos from the author’s personal collection that do a wonderful job of bringing to life his time as a U-boat engineer.… Highly, highly recommended.” — uboat.net

About the Author

Donald E. Graves, one of Canada's best known military historians, is the -author or editor of 20 books primarily on the War of 1812 and the Second World War. His studies on the battles of Lundy's Lane (Where Right and Glory Lead!) and Crysler's Farm (Field of Glory) are established classics of musket-period warfare. Born in Düsseldorf in 1923, Werner Hirschmann served in the Second World War as an engineer officer on U-boats. After his submarine surrendered to the Canadian navy in 1945, he spent a period in Canada and Britain as a prisoner-of-war before being repatriated to Germany. In the 1950s he emigrated to Canada and pursued a career in the computer business. He lives in Toronto, where he is a keen sailor, a member of the Naval Officers’ Association of Canada and an honorary member of the veterans’ association of HMCS Esquimalt, the warship his U-boat sank.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Robin Brass Studio, Inc.; First Edition, First edition (April 15, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1896941648
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1896941646
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.39 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.9 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #5,475,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,725 in WWII Biographies
- #10,479 in Naval Military History
- #42,415 in World War II History (Books)

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4.9 26 ratings

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Will

Highly Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2022

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Fun read, with a style and content that reveal a likable author. I really enjoyed this book with its mix of normal life anecdotes, school and training stories, and exciting war action. Highly recommended.

One person found this helpful

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Kalikiano Kalei

Singular, superb, excellent, incredibly illustrated and very insightful, to say the very least!

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016

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One of the most amazingly satisfying accounts (well illustrated) of U-Boot operations ever written and accompanied by an extensive collection of the author's personal photographic images taken aboard his boats. Can't say enough about this book by ex-U-boot engineer Werner Hirschmann. Included are some of the best available views of the special late-war (surface area) reduction of the Type IXC forward bows (intended to enhance speed of diving, since the Type IXC took rather longer to submerge than the other types). The efficacy of that 'pinched' bows modification remains dubious (that is, it appears to have helped very little in enabling the Type IXC boat submerge more rapidly (viewed in technical retrospect, but now that REVELL models have come out with a large scale plastic model of this type, Hirschmann's photographs of his own boat's modified bows remain one of the best available references. An excellent book and a superb testimony both to the German U-Boot crews and operations in the WW2 period and to Hirschmann's commendable modesty, integrity and technical competence as a U-Boot engineer (probably the single most important member of any U-Boot's crew, aside from the skipper). MORE than just another one of those 'You need to get this book!' memoirs by former U-boot personnel. Does NOT disappoint!

3 people found this helpful

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Susan

both the tedious and the exciting aspects of life as a u-boat ...

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2015

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Fascinating, honest account of a young man who wanted to be a naval officer. Lots of information about the training, what the men did on shore, both the tedious and the exciting aspects of life as a u-boat engineering officer which is a different perspective than the commander's. He also included a wonderful account of his time in Canada as a POW and his subsequent return to Ontario after the war to become a citizen. This book, with it's incredible photos (lots of the author in the various stages of his career and plenty of u-boats including a detailed tour of Type IXC/40 u-boats 190 and 889), puts the reader there - in Germany, in Italy, and in the boat. Mr. Hirschmann's sense of humor shines through and I found myself smiling often (in particular at the reality of life in a u-boat in the second appendix). This book is going on my keeper shelf.

3 people found this helpful

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Steven J. Mcallister

Another Place, Another Time

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2005

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I am a fan of autobiographical history, especially WWII and U-boats. The authors really try to be as factual as possible.

The book is based on recollections and diaries of Werner Hirschmann.

It is a book that is hard to put down and really makes you feel like you are in his shoes.

I have reviewd books in the past, but only review books that have made great impressions.

It has parts that may be too techincal for some, but that doesn't take away from the story and could be enjoyed by anyone who liked the book "Iron Coffins" or the movie "Das Boot".

I'm a big fan of Werner Hirschmann and am glad he let me read his diaries.

Stevie

20 people found this helpful

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Barbara T.

An excellent read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2008

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I recently received this book and have looked forward to reading at least one chapter each day. The story flows very nicely with an interesting read (by no means boring) and the multiple pictures supplement the story for visual support. The book gives an entirely different glimpse into this officer's life and what it was like for him during the war as opposed to just being at sea and searching for ships to sink, etc. I love to read about submariner's from the World War II time era and this is certainly one of my top five reads.

8 people found this helpful

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eg98

Photojournal Account of German Submarine Officer

Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013

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Many, many photos of the author during his wartime experience as German submarine officer. Presents a more civilized account of officer life in occupied France between missions; the author seems to spend as much time on the town as under the waves. A must read for anyone interested in German U-Boat accounts.

3 people found this helpful

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JMS

Good U-Boot book.

Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2017

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One of the best books on this topic. Excellent numerous photos.

3 people found this helpful

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JB

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014

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Very nice book and written, the author does a great job. This is one of my favorite books about U-boats.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Elcio Siqueira

O funcionamento diário de um submarino alemão na II Guerra Mundial

Reviewed in Brazil on May 12, 2019

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Material excelente, detalhado e original

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Peter Stears

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2017

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Pleased with item and service.

William C. Mahaney

the book exhibits the best reproduction of photographs

Reviewed in Canada on September 2, 2014

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Review of ‘Another place, another time’ by W. Hirschmann

Anyone with an interest in the U-boat service of WWII will want to read this book, the record of the last three years of active service in the war, as recollected by Werner Hirschmann, a former Kriegsmarine officer. It is, as the author makes plain, not a U-boat history but an inside look at the rigorous training that officer cadets underwent prior to commissioning into the elite U-boat arm. Training alone took some two years and as an engineering officer one was entrusted with the smooth running of all mechanical and electrical systems, everything from valves and pumps, batteries and engines, bilge to control room and bridge, and all intricate functions of maintaining a U-boat under water. As outlined in the book, to earn the Master Diving Diploma and rank of Leutnant Ing. (Lt., Engineer) meant that one had successfully mastered all tests required for the safe running and diving of an unterseeboot as determined by overseeing training officers. Serving under four commanders over three years, on U-190, U-331, U-375, U-612, Hirschmann describes his survival as stemming from the level of technical training obtained at the Marineschule, Mürwik, the German Annapolis, partly luck, and the result of camaraderie and skill amongst the officers and crew on each boat.

Printed on the highest quality paper, the book exhibits the best reproduction of photographs, many from WH’s personal collection that add to the narrative describing events throughout the war. Depicting daily life aboard a U-boat, Hirschmann provides a unique view experienced by men on both German and Allied sides in World War II. A major feature of the book is the guided tour of an IX/C40 boat and description of a schnorchel device introduced near the end of the war that required great skill to operate allowing air to flood the boat and carbon dioxide to escape. I highly recommend this book especially because it, with the author’s insight, provides a realistic experience from a serving officer who witnessed events first hand.

--Bill Mahaney, author of The Warmaker-Hannibal’s Invasion of Italia and the Aftermath, The Golden Till, and Operation Black Eagle.

ideu

Magnifica estampa de la vida de un marino aleman durante la segunda guerra mundial

Reviewed in Spain on May 18, 2014

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Un libro atípico que sin prestar mucha atención a las hazañas bélicas describe la vida de un oficial maquinista aleman durante el final de la segunda guerra mundial. Magnífico apéndice con fotografías del interior de los submarinos alemanes. Curioso de leer cómo se rendían ... ¡a la armada canadiense!.

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Guildwoodite

Fantastic insight into U-Boat life

Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2021

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which provides a great insight to the training and life of a young U-Boat engineering officer. I had the honour of meeting the author around 20 years ago, who impressed me as a fine gentleman with a great sense of humour and only found out about this book a week or so ago. It was a compelling read and I finished it over the course of two days. I highly recommend this book.

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