September 15, 2019
In 1942, Nazis sent eight inept white German-Americans to the United States with a mission to sabotage industrial sites. All of the eight men who had been transported to the East Coast via submarine had previously lived for years in America but had returned to Germany early in the war. Some seem to have been motivated by a desire to serve their native country; others were more pragmatic in their plans, perhaps wanting to escape Germany. The training period was short, and there was no attempt to weed out less-effective agents. Immediately after landing on a New York beach, the leader of one group, George Dasch, encountered a Coast Guardsman whom--violating his orders--he released, giving away their secret mission. Only a week later, Dasch turned himself in to the FBI, erroneously believing he would be hailed as a hero. Although the information he revealed was critical in capturing the rest of the saboteurs, he was tried alongside the others before a military tribunal. Six (although not Dasch) were condemned to death and immediately executed. In a concluding chapter, Seiple draws connections between these saboteurs and the legal odyssey of 9/11 terrorists, whose fate remains uncertain. This riveting tale has received scant attention, and this telling, heavily informed by court transcripts, does it justice. Excellent backmatter and a smattering of period photographs round out the presentation. A story that will appeal to both espionage and World War II enthusiasts. (Nonfiction. 10-14)
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December 1, 2019
Gr 4-7-June 13, 1942. Four saboteurs emerged from a German submarine off the coast of Amagansett, NY. A chance encounter with a lone Coast Guard "beach pounder" on patrol triggered a chain of events that ultimately led to the capture, imprisonment, and/or execution of this team, plus another team of four who landed in Florida four days later. All were German-born, but spent several years in the United States and were proficient in English. The operation was doomed from the start; trust was severely lacking, and some wanted to kill their leader, George Dasch, who disobeyed orders. Within the week, Dasch confessed the entire scheme to the FBI. In less than two weeks, all eight were arrested. By June 28, 1942, the men learned their fate after being tried by a military tribunal. The author concludes this well-written account by discussing the pros and cons of the use of a military tribunal in the aftermath of 9/11; the same issues were present in the 1942 case. Mug shots of the eight men and short bios add authenticity to the text. The bibliography includes military tribunal and FBI records, CIA and MI5 files, books, magazines and newspapers, and websites. Back matter also includes photo credits and an index. VERDICT Seiple has done an excellent job researching and presenting a topic that is sometimes mentioned in other historical accounts, but seldom thoroughly covered. A sound addition to any upper elementary or middle school collection.-Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
October 15, 2019
Grades 4-7 It was called Operation Pastorius, a Nazi plot to infiltrate the U.S. to sabotage key military targets: factories, plants, water supply systems, and bridges. To that end, a group of eight English-speaking Germans were selected and trained in explosives and spy craft. Led by George Dasch, an expert on all things American, the would-be saboteurs traveled to the U.S. by submarine, half landing on the shores of Long Island and the other half in Florida. Unfortunately for them, the group was anything but cohesive, and from the beginning of their operation, they proved to be the gang that couldn't shoot straight. Seiple does an excellent job of charting their gaffes and misadventures, culminating in Dasch's decision to go to the FBI and confess all. Period photos and posters (war and propaganda) further enliven the text, and handy saboteur profiles will help readers keep everyone straight. Seiple (Death on the River of Doubt, 2017) writes in a smooth, fluid style, showing a mastery of essential detail, which is fully sourced. A fascinating addition to the WWII history shelves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)