Percy F. Westerman's A Sub and a Submarine pulls you straight into the cramped, oily world of a British E-class submarine during World War I. This isn't a grand strategy overview; it's a day-by-day, sometimes hour-by-hour, account of life beneath the waves.

The Story

We follow the H.M. Submarine R19 and her crew, led by a determined young captain. Their mission is simple on paper: patrol dangerous waters, disrupt enemy supply lines, and survive. The execution is anything but. The book is a series of intense episodes—a tense cat-and-mouse game with a German destroyer, a harrowing escape after being depth-charged, and the constant, grinding pressure of mechanical failures and dwindling oxygen. The enemy isn't just the German Navy; it's the unforgiving sea itself, the fog of war, and the psychological toll of living in a vulnerable metal shell.

Why You Should Read It

Westerman, who wrote these kinds of adventure stories for decades, has a knack for making technical details fascinating and the stakes painfully clear. You feel the chill of the hull, smell the mix of fuel and sweat, and share the crew's relief when they finally surface. What stuck with me wasn't just the action, but the quiet moments in between—the jokes that fall flat, the shared glances of fear, the simple act of brewing a pot of tea as a tiny act of normalcy. It turns these sailors from historical figures into real people you're rooting for.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves immersive historical fiction or classic naval adventures. It's a gripping, fast-paced read that sheds light on a less famous but crucial part of WWI. If you've ever wondered what it was actually like to serve on one of those early submarines, with all their wonders and terrors, Westerman gives you a front-row seat. Just be prepared to feel a bit claustrophobic by the end!