The scourge of Allied shipping during World War II, the U-Boot Waffe was one of the most feared components of Hitler's war machine, yet the Kriegsmarine was the least political branch of the Third Reich. The sailors of the U-boat arm were courageous, highly skilled seamen, who fought a war in the toughest conditions: subject to immense tension, and forced to cope with the challenges of the Atlantic, life for a U-boat recruit was far from easy. This title explores the life of a typical U-boat crewman, from recruitment, through training and service conditions, to combat experience throughout the war. Illustrated with many previously unpublished images, this book offers a fresh insight into the experiences of the men in Dönitz's legendary 'wolf packs'. Insights into the real lives of history's fighting men, packed with full colour illustrations, highly detailed cutaways, exploded artwork of weaponry and armour, and action-packed battle scenes. Gordon Williamson is a retired civil servant who spent several years working for the Royal Military Police (TA). He has written over 60 military books, including a number of titles for Osprey: ELI 183 U-boat Tactics in World War II, MAA 434 World War II German Police Units etc. Amongst his primary interests are the German Navy in World War II, U-Boats, and the Military Police forces of the Allied and Axis armies. He lives near Edinburgh in Scotland. Darko Pavlovic was born in 1959 and currently lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia. A trained architect, he now works as a full-time illustrator and writer, specializing in militaria. Darko has illustrated a number of books for Osprey including Men-at-Arms 282: 'Axis Forces in Yugoslavia 1941–45'.