This book was originally published in 2000, and is now published as a paperback version with much new material added. Jak P. Mallmann Showell, the author of fine U-Boat related books as “U-Boat Commanders and Crews 1935-1945”, “U-Boats in Camera” and U-Boats under the Swastika”, delves into the history of the development of the Enigma-machine, its role during U-Boat operations and the on-going code-breaking work at Bletchley Park.

Mallmann Showells book is divided into 14 highly interesting chapters, beginning with an introduction of the development of the Enigma code-writing machine, its use in the German Armed Forces including the Kriegsmarine, and the subsequent early Allied attempts of code-breaking this system. The German Admirals were shocked to discover that the Allied Forces during WW1 was able to read German secret radio codes, and was thus eager to develop a more sophisticated system of transmitting and receiving such secret information. The result was the Enigma code-writing system, seen upon as unbreakable. In fact, the code-breaking of the Enigma began even before the outbreak of WW2, and Mallmann Showell presents a most interesting suggestion that it was the Polish Army who instituted the attack on the German Gleiwitz radio transmitter on the evening of August 31 1939, thus enabling both Poland and subsequent England a insight into the German Enigma coding machine.

Further on Mallmann Showell gives the reader a fascinating insight into how much effort the Allies put into the capturing of intact Enigma material – both by capturing U-Boats but also other Kriegsmarine vessels, and how the code-breakers at Bletchley Park operated. It is thus very awarding how Mallmann Showell gives his readers information based on both interviews and documents, and it is easy to see that he knows his U-Boat subject very well. The 5 appendix provides the reader with added details, this includes “Grabbing the Enigma: On occasions where Allied Forces boarded German vessel”, “Captured U-Boats”, “Weather Trawlers”, “Types of Convoy Escorts” and “The Ireland Letter Codes”.

If I was to miss something in this book it has to be more information on the counter-measures that the Germans did impose on the Enigma code-breaking. We know for instance that Kapitänleutnant Hans-Günther Lange (Knights Cross with Oak leaves), the commander of U-711, actively opposed the FdU Norwegen Rudolf Peters “wish to control U-Boats positions at all time”. Was the opposition of Lange shared by several other U-Boat commanders, one might wonder?

All set aside, “Enigma U-Boats” is a near perfect book dealing with the Enigma context. The Author knows his subject very well, and written in a most pleasing text the reader will no doubt achieve a deepen insight into the Enigma Myth.
When it comes to grading I’ll give “Enigma U-Boats” a near 5.

(Reviewed by Arne Haakon Thomassen)
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.