Hollywood to make movie about Torbay councillor

It relates to Gilbert Roberts role in the Second World War.

The retired navy commander was re-called in 1942 by Second World War leader Winston Churchill to help tackle the problem of German U-boats sinking supply ships in the Atlantic Ocean.

The submarines, known as wolf packs, were responsible for most of the 1,300 merchant ships sunk the previous year, which meant millions of tons of food, fuel and building materials were lost every month, and led to rationing being introduced. 

Captain Roberts and his small team of Wrens – the name for female staff from the Women’s Royal Naval Reserve – worked out the strategy used by the submarines by creating a kind of giant board game.

His unit devised a new successful approach for the Navy to stop the U-boats and it worked so well that many more merchant ships were able to get through to keep Britain going. 

The story of his breakthrough has now been revealed in a book called A Game Of Birds And Wolves, sub-titled The Secret Game That Won The War, by author Simon Parkin.

The film rights are reported to have been bought by Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, who made the Second World War movie Saving Private Ryan.

Mr Roberts later retired to Devon. He was elected to represent the Torquay ward of St Marychurch on Torbay County Borough Council, where he served as chairman of the children’s committee.