NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES

NO ROOM FOR MISTAKES
BY Geirr Haarr 


I did so enjoy the author's co-written book, 'The Sinking Of The Blücher', that the publisher has kindly sent me Haarr's other books to read. So I start with this one which is also my very first submarine book.

Much like all the other British armed forces in 1939, the Submarine Service was not ready to sail into another world war.
Described by the author as a 'mixed bag', the available vessels were either dated examples from the last war, or of a much newer design which was still facing many teething problems. 
With those issues in mind, the crews also had to deal with the mistaken doctrine or tactical thoughts of naval officers who believed that a submarine's task was to hunt enemy submarines. With the tools and technology available at the time it was difficult, near impossible, to locate and then identify if another submarine was friend or foe. Readers will learn of one such encounter that led to a tragic 'friendly fire' incident. 

With war having broken out, the narrative moves through both 1939 and 1940 to just beyond the first full year of the war. A period which can only be described as a rather hit and miss time for the service.
Such a hectic period, it would see Germany's invasion of Denmark and Norway, the planned defence for an expected invasion of Britain and the beginning of the campaign down in the Mediterranean.
Throughout this time the crews gained more experience and the Submarine Service of Britain and its Allies would learn some valuable lessons.
The author's narrative carries the reader through this period, describing many of the individual battles between vessels on and below the surface.

Written by a Naval historian who is clearly extremely knowledgeable, this is a highly readable account about a part of the second world war that seemingly rarely gets mentioned. 
As many previous reviewers have said, it is a most valuable book and one in which I have greatly enjoyed reading and learnt a great deal from.

The book is available now and is published by Seaforth Publishing, an imprint of Pen and Sword.
I thank P&S for this review copy. 

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