In The Course Of Duty / Don Keith / USS Batfish SS-310 WWII / SubmarineBooks.com

In the waning days of World War II, the Japanese High Command realized that the tide had turned against them—but they were determined to fight to the last. In February 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy sent four submarines on a secret mission to the Philippines to recover all the resources they could. To intercept them, an American submarine wolf pack was sent to the waters north of the Philippines. On a pitch-black night at sea, the USS Batfish (SS-310)—a fleet sub helmed by Commander John "Jake" Fyfe—engaged a Japanese sub. But in the ensuing skirmish, an armed torpedo lodged in the Batfish's tube. Thus began one of the greatest displays of courage in the annals of submarine warfare. With the enemy alerted to their presence, and their own torpedo threatening to destroy them, the crew of Batfish entered onto a seventy-tow-hour sea battle that tested the limits of their mettle. In an astonishing display of skill, fortitude, and mariner's luck, the Batfish not only survived, it dominated—destroying a record-breaking three enemy submarines in a single patrol. Based upon never-before-heard first-person accounts and official documentation, this is the true story of the submarine, the skipper and the crew of USS Batfish and a testament of the bravery of those who endured hell under the waves in the name of their country and freedom.

New softbound book, 326 pages, 24 B/W photos, an index, appendix and complete USS Batfish crew roster.

Only $14.99

BOOK REVIEWS

"Don Keith has captured the history as well as the personalities of the crew of the Batfish. His writing style perfectly complements the events of her service during World War II and the remarkable but quirky way she wound up in Muskogee, OK. at War Memorial Park. A fun read as well as an emotional one." F. Isbell

"Don't know why I ordered this book but am so glad I did. Once I started reading, I found it very well written, entertaining and in parts, hair-raising. It captures the zeitgeist of the crew when the eerie sound of a torpedo rushes past the hull of the boat, or the shattering thunder of an exploding depth charge shakes the sub, barely missing blowing it up in the sea as well as the urgency of mechanical problems that seriously threaten the submarine and the lives of those on board. The horror is mixed with humor and the crew is presented in such a way that you are able to relate to what they must have felt in their darkest moments of terror as well as in their great joy when victorious over enemy vessels. Also well done, the foibles and dilemmas of getting it to that landlocked bean field in Oklahoma where it finally stands as a proud memorial to the World War II battles at sea and the incredibly brave men who fought them. Do put this one on your "must read list." It's a winner!" Elizabeth Ann Sinkey

"My main fodder is nonfiction historical, both European and American, so this book is right up my alley. Entertaining and well written with lots of detail, the way I like it. Yes, I'm female and read a lot of Jane Austen romance etc., but my favorite movie is "Hunt for Red October"... go figure. You'll like this book, too." Jane Austen Fan

The Author

Don Keith is an award-winning author, journalist, and broadcast personality. He was twice named Personality of the Year by "Billboard Magazine." His first novel, "The Forever Season," was named Fiction of the Year by the Alabama Library Association. "Gallant Lady," his true story of the World War II submarine USS Archerfish, was a featured selection of the Military Book Club. Don also wrote "In The Course of Duty" and "Final Patrol." Don lives in Indian Springs Village, Alabama, with his wife, Charlene.