Study guide of Codename Nemo by Charles Lachman (keynote reads)

By Keynote reads

e Nemo by Charles Lachman. This meticulously crafted guide provides an in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on the gripping saga of bravery, strategy, and the capture of Nazi submarine U-505.

? Book Highlights:

• Length: 75 pages
• Size: 8.5 x 11 inches, ideal for detailed note-taking and easy reading
• Format: Structured guide with key takeaways, interactive exercises, and reflective prompts

? Why This Study Guide?

In the high-stakes world of naval warfare and intelligence, this study guide places you at the heart of the action. It's not just a book; it's your ticket to understanding the incredible feat of capturing U-505 and the vital impact it had on the course of World War II.

 

? Praise for the Original Work:

"The white-knuckled saga of a maverick captain, nine courageous sailors, and a US Navy task force who achieved the impossible on June 4, 1944—capturing Nazi submarine U-505, its crew, technology, encryption codes, and an Enigma cipher machine."

 

? What You'll Learn:

• Historical Impact: Discover the pivotal moments of Operation Nemo and how it changed the course of World War II.
• Heroic Feats: Learn about the extraordinary bravery and skill of the nine-man boarding party led by Lieutenant Albert David.
• Strategic Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and tactics used in this daring naval operation.

? Who Should Read This Guide?

History Enthusiasts: Delve into a detailed account of one of World War II's most significant naval achievements.

Military Buffs: Explore the tactical brilliance and daring actions that led to the successful capture of U-505.

Students and Scholars: Enhance your knowledge with structured analysis and critical insights into this historic event.

✨ Unlock the Secrets:

This study guide not only summarizes the key points of "Codename Nemo" but also challenges you to think critically about the strategies and decisions made during this daring mission. It's a must-read for anyone interested in military history and the intricacies of naval warfare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keynote reads
• Release date: Jun 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227952967

Keynote reads

Biography: Keynote reads is a highly skilled and dedicated book summary writer with over a decade of experience in the field. Keynote reads has a passion for reading and a talent for distilling complex ideas into clear, concise, and engaging summaries. His work spans a wide range of genres, including self-help, business, psychology, and literature. Education: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature - University of Oxford Master of Arts in Communication - Stanford University Professional Experience: Freelance Book Summary Writer (2012 - Present) Collaborated with various authors and publishing houses to create high-quality summaries of their books. Summarized over 300 books, maintaining a consistent style that captures the essence of the original works. Provided summaries for websites, magazines, and educational platforms. Content Editor  Edited and revised summaries submitted by other writers to ensure accuracy and readability. Contributed to the development of the website's style guide for summaries. Skills: Exceptional ability to synthesize information. Strong understanding of various literary and non-fiction genres. Proficient in using digital tools for writing and editing. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Notable Projects: Developed a series of educational book summaries for an online learning platform, enhancing students' comprehension and retention. Contact Information: Email: [e-mail] LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/keynote-reads

Book preview

PROLOGUE

On a zigzag course, Thomas McKean, a US Navy freighter, is on its maiden voyage four hundred miles northeast of Puerto Rico. With sixty-two men on board and war supplies, the ship is a ticking time bomb. The ship's captain, Chief Engineer Thomas McCarthy, finds the ship torpedoed and orders the crew to evacuate. McCarthy climbs down the cargo netting, which allows twenty men to scale down into lifeboats.

The torpedo hits the ship about fifteen feet below the surface, leaving a gaping hole in the shape of a perfect V. The propeller is no longer there, and the ship is about to sink. The US Navy sends an order to abandon the ship, and Captain Mellin Respess collects sensitive documents to keep them from falling into enemy hands.

As the ship begins to sink, the radio operator, Sparks, is called to jump overboard. As the ship tilts and sinks, Sparks jumps overboard, splashing down hard. Lifeboat #1 comes around, and the crew fishes Sparks out of the water. Respess orders the crew to look for any other survivors but finds nobody in the water.

A German U-boat breaks the surface about a mile away from the crippled ship. The U-boat fires three-inch and four-inch guns, aiming at the hold containing dynamite and.50-caliber antiaircraft ammunition and combustible aviation fuel. Flames and smoke engulf Thomas McKean, and the U-boat crew seems to be having fun toying with the Americans. They unload a barrage of 72 rounds, spaced two to fifteen seconds apart.

Thomas McKean sinks twelve thousand feet into oblivion, and only then does the U-boat cease fire.

Roland Foster Jr., the navigator and medical officer on Thomas McKean, is tasked with observing the German U-boat commander and his crew. The Germans are a suntanned and well-informed American merchantman, with a destination of delivering war supplies to the Soviet Union. Foster notes the U-boat's impressive maneuverability and the lion painted on its side of the conning tower.

The Germans see an injured man in Lifeboat #2, Russell Funk, and decide to ask the correct course to land. However, the interpreter refuses to do so due to time constraints. Foster suggests steering with the wind, and the U-boat departs.

Captain Respess orders Lifeboat #1 to pull up to Lifeboat #2 to check on everyone. Russell Funk is dead, and four crew members are dead. Captain McCarthy, his seasoned hand, tells him to look at him. They burn Funk's feet and fingertips, but no sign of life. They find a few hooks and lower him into the sea for burial.

In total, fifty-eight men on four lifeboats need to find a way back to the United States. Respess ensures all lifeboats are equipped with necessary gear for a long ordeal at sea, including charts, sextant, water, food, medical equipment, and sails. The closest land is Hat Island, also known as Sombrero Island, about two hundred miles away.

The captain instructs everyone to stay within sight of one another and consolidates all boats at sunset. The U-boat that blew up their ship heads west to find her next prey, U-505.

WHERE THE HELL IS FREETOWN?

Kapitänleutnant Axel-Olaf Loewe, a German naval officer, is given his first command of the large submarine U-505 at age thirty-two. The submarine, carrying twenty-two torpedoes, can go over eight thousand miles without refueling and flies the Nazi War Eagle with a swastika, the flag of the Kriegsmarine. On August 26, 1941, U-505 is formally commissioned, with Loewe ordering its coat of arms painted on its tower.

The crew is inexperienced but eager, with only two of the boat's petty officers and one seaman having previous submarine experience. The chief engineer, Fritz Forster, oversees the boat's torpedo capabilities and seaworthiness. Oberleutnant Herbert Nollau, who was serving as radio officer on the heavy cruiser Blücher when it was sunk by coastal batteries during the invasion of Norway, is promoted to the engineering corps of cadets.

The war is going well for Germany, with Germany winning the war in Poland, Denmark surrendering, Norway falling, and Hitler establishing Nazi hegemony over Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The German Army marched into Paris, Britain was under siege, and Auschwitz was annexed by the Germans.

Underwater, U-505 operates strictly on electrical battery power, making it a great advantage in battle. However, her invisibility has its limits, as she can move at a top speed of eight miles an hour, for a maximum of twenty-four to fifty hours, depending on conditions. This can only be achieved on the surface, when the U-boat runs on diesel fuel.

In the winter of 1944, U-505, a German submarine, is assigned to the Second U-boat Flotilla at Lorient, a seaport on the west coast of occupied France. The crew faces heavy weather and heavy enemy watch, but they continue their journey. After 16 days, they arrive in Lorient, where they are escorted by German minesweepers. The port is unique as it has been converted into a massive forward submarine base for the German Uboat fleet.

The crew is welcomed by senior staff officers from the Second U-boat Flotilla, including Korvettenkapitän Viktor Schütze, a U-boat ace and holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves. They are greeted with a welcoming party and toasts. The next few days are filled with preparations for the first combat patrol.

Captain Loewe pays special attention to the provisions for his crew, as Napoleon once said that an army marches on its belly. He stores food for fifty men to last one hundred days at sea, ensuring no nook or cranny is wasted. The most perishable provision is 3,400 pounds of fresh vegetables, which will start rotting in five days. A supply of two thousand eggs must be consumed within two weeks before they spoil.

The crew uses the shit bucket located in the engine room when taking a dump, or they relieve themselves over the side of the surfaced boat. The shit bucket is emptied when the U-boat surfaces and poured into the ocean. The galley has one refrigerator, and the crew has access to books, music, and a copy of Goethe's Faust.

Hans Goebeler, an 18-year-old machinist second class from Bottendorf, joins U-505 as a crew member. He is an enthusiastic member of the Hitler Youth movement and is a working-class stiff with a background in crafts and trades. Goebeler is assigned to the control room, where he will operate the periscope during engagements with the enemy and maintain the periscope's hydraulic pump. Loewe tells Goebeler that he can handle the job, but he is terrified of bungling everything.

On February 11, 1942, the crew assembles on the upper deck of U-505 for their first wartime mission. The boat enters Lorient Harbor, and a minesweeper escorts U-505 to the outer harbor. Loewe orders a deep test dive to 650 feet, and when U-505 resurfaces, Loewe signals the minesweeper to safe return and good hunting. The minesweeper heads back to Lorient, and U-505 is on its own.

Loewe informs the crew that their mission has been sealed, and they are ordered to hunt along the West African coast. Their operational area will be the Allies' convoy assembly point off Freetown Harbor, facing fast ships and it will