Reeman chose to write this novel about the German Navy. He follows the exploits of Captain Rudi Steiger and U-991 as Steiger leads a group of other U-Boats again the British efforts to stock up for D-Day. He also faces incompetent superiors ashore, a second in command who shows fear in moments of crisis and another sub commander who questions why they are fighting.

He happens to be in port when the July assassination attempt on Hitler occurs and he is arrested by the conspirators for being loyal to Hitler. There are also subplots about the French Resistance as their base is in France and the sailors form relationships with French men & women.

As is usual in a Reeman novel, we learn a great deal about the type of vessel in the story as well as commanding such a vessel in war. ( )

'With Blood and Iron' is a World War 2 submarine novel by Douglas Reeman.

It starts strongly, continues strongly and finishes strongly. It's set in 1944 as the tide of the war turns, written from a German perspective it primarily revolves around one Rudolf Steiger a uboat capitan who is assigned to a small uboat base in St Pierre, France.

As the story unfolds you witness determination, struggle and bravery whilst underneath disillusion grows.

Enjoyable WW2 submarine tale. ( )