Midget submarine commander : the life of Rear Admiral Godfrey Place VC, CB, CVO, DSC, 19 July 1921-27 December 1994

Description

Of all the acts of gallantry in World War II few were as audacious as the attack by midget submarines on the pride of the German fleet, the battleship Tirpitz, lying in her fortified mooring in a Norwegian fjord. Lieutenant Godfrey Place was in command of submarine X7 in September 1943 and traveled over 1000 miles, negotiating minefields and antisubmarine nets to accurately place four tons of high explosive under the hull of the Tirpitz. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1944, at the age of 22. Taken prisoner he was repatriated to England at the end of the war, and continued to serve in the Royal Navy for 25 years, flying with 801st squadron in the Korean War, and served on aircraft carriers at Suez, Nigeria and the withdrawal from Aden. On his retirement in 1970, he had the distinction of being the last serving naval officer to hold the Victoria Cross. Using many first-hand accounts, the book details his life, from a childhood spent partly in East Africa to being Chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association for over 20 years. It draws on previously unpublished material, including his own recollections on the attack on the Tirpitz and his time as a prisoner of war Content: Under attack : War in the Mediterranean -- A nomad for the Navy -- Going to War -- The fighting tenth : service in Malta -- The Prize is waiting preparation for operation source -- Operation source : attacking the German Battlefleet -- 'For you the war is over' : life as a prisoner of war -- "Plenty of work to do yet" : return to the Navy -- Wings, a brass hat and war in the east -- Surface command -- staff matters : promotion to captain -- Squadron command -- Wisdom is strength : HMS ganges -- Strongly, trustworthy, happily : command of HMS albion -- Flying the flat -- Retirement of sorts.