Midget Submarine Commander: The Life of Godfrey Place VC

He was then for a period personnel director of Cunard Cargo Shipping.

He died in December Photo copyright Paul Watkins. Using many first-hand accounts, the book details the adventurous life of Place, from a childhood spent partly in East Africa to war service — he volunteered specifically to go on dangerous assignments — to being chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association for 23 years.

Mr Watkins is a veterinary surgeon with a lifelong interest in military history, especially naval history and the Victoria Cross. Having spent a career in research including time spent with the Royal Navy he has written and contributed to numerous books and scientific publications. Mail will not be published required.

An Eager Young Lieutenant

Commissioned in , the German battleship Tirpitz was one of the two largest battleships built in Europe. Along with her sister ship the Bismarck , she created a deep fear in the British navy. If she got out into the ocean, she could wreak havoc among the supply convoys. From the start, the British put an enormous effort into containing the Tirpitz. For several years, she spent most of her time lurking in the fjords of Norway, waiting for a safe chance to get out to sea.

The first of these, Operation Source, was carried out by X-class submarines.

• Trackbacks;
• Trace Their Shadows.
• The Stolen Kingdom: A Free Fantasy Book for Middle Grade Readers?
• Rational Horse-Shoeing.

These midget submarines were 50 feet long and five feet in diameter. Their engines were originally designed for buses. Even compared with conventional submarines they were cramped, noisy, and involved in dangerous work; planting timed explosives under enemy ships. All the crew on the X-craft submarines were volunteers. They spent the summer of in Scotland, practicing their roles. The work required great nerve and skill.

They would need to pilot their tiny craft to Norway, stealthily approach the enemy in confined waters, plant their bombs, and get away. The X-craft were towed to Norway by larger submarines. It was a mile journey for which the small craft were not suited. Two broke loose on the way. One was recovered, but the other was lost with all hands.

Rear-Admiral Godfrey Place, VC - Telegraph

Watkins displays great dexterity in using extensive research and has accessed primary sources as well as carrying out many interviews to product a very readable account of Place's varied life. In the words of Admiral Lord West, who writes the Foreword, this impressive book clearly outlines 'what makes a man a hero'.

Tackling Tirpitz, just the start of the adventure. A spellbinding new book recounts a breathtaking feat of wartime heroism, Steve Snelling examines the extraordinary role played by a young Norwich naval officer and his astonishing fight for survival. In Midget Submarine commander, Paul Watkins chronicles and unparalleled career of brave and devoted service performed by a naval officer who could lay claim to the unique record of having fought above, on and below the waves.

Where previous accounts have focussed almost exclusively on Place;s involvement in one of the war's most daring exploits, Watkins' compelling biography delves deeper to explore, with the help of previously unseen family papers, the character of the man and the astonishing breadth of his experience. This new book by Paul Watkins, quite surprisingly, turns out to be the first full biography of Godfrey Place and draws on previously unpublished Place family records. It traces his family background — his grandfather was Irish and in the colonial service, his father was born in India, studied law in Ireland before being wounded in WWI and then joined the colonial service in Africa but unfortunately, died early.

He left submarines post war and later qualified as a pilot and, as a Commander. His career then continued with sea appointments in the Suez Campaign and at the withdrawal from Aden, sea commands, shore commands, staff appointments and promotions to Commander, Captain and eventually Rear Admiral before retirement in Paul Watkins has produced a well-researched, detailed and interesting biography of the life and times of one of the most important naval heroes of WWII. A new book charts the heroic actions of a year-old naval officer who placed a mine beneath a German battleship during the Second World War.

ONE day in September , in a Norwegian fjord, a year-old naval officer placed a mine beneath a colossal Nazi battleship — and Grimsby won itself a hero. The battleship was the Tirpitz. The officer was Lieutenant Godfrey Place. His reward was two-fold — the Victoria Cross and internment by the Germans for the rest of the war.

Midget Submarine Commander: The Life of Godfrey Place VC…

After having three capital ships attacked by Italian Maiale midget subs, Britain got into the act. Churchill was concerned with the German battleship Tirpitz, the threat of which hung over the North Sea and tied down the Royal Navy. Midget Submarine Commander details the life and career of one of the captains of the 4-man X-craft, Godfrey Place. Place and his crew of X-7 would meet the Tirpitz and have a substantial effect on the naval war.

• See a Problem??
• Midget Submarine Commander: The Life of Godfrey Place, VC - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums.
• O Sinaleiro (Portuguese Edition);
• Freely available.
• A Bolt For Freedom!
• She Didnt Do It and The Ferry?

Place was born in , the son of a distinguished WWI veteran. In , Place entered the Royal Naval College and graduated 2nd in his class. He was considered a smart, capable officer and was attached to the 10th Submarine Flotilla in the Mediterranean. His career received an immediate boost when he became a member of the Sokol, commanded by of the famous Polish sub captain Borys Karnicki. Karnicki is best known for his personal declaration of war on Italy. Place was awarded the Polish Cross of Gallantry for his part in Sokol's success. Watkins does a commendable job with this volume, due in large part to his skillful use of quotes and details that originate from the other persons in Place's life and career: Borys Karnicki, Tug Wilson, Capt.

Pizey and other notable figures. I completed this book with a real sense of gratitude for Place and men of the Royal Navy, their sacrifice and contributions to the war effort. Submarine buffs and naval historians will enjoy Midget Submarine Commander. I know I did.