Spoiler Slayer

This represents a brief summary of Angel: Why We Fight (Episode 13). It will be updated as new articles or info is posted. More detailed and complete information can be found in the original articles or additional sources.

This episode is chiefly a flashback to events in Angel and Spike's lives during World War II. The episode opens on a U-boat in the Atlantic, which was recently captured by U.S. Forces. They are under attack by unknown creatures, and forced to take refuge in the forward compartment. One of these men is Lawson, as well as one of the German crew, Heinreich.

In present day Los Angeles, Lawson walks into Wolfram and Hart, looking just as he did back during the War. He ends up bumping into Fred, and says that he's an old friend of Angel's. Meanwhile, in the past, government forces burst into Angel's apartment in New York City. They represent a new government 'Initiative' that is keeping tabs on demons and the like. They explain that they lost communication with the U-Boat, and they want Angel to go and find out what happened. He isn't really interested, until they show him what was being kept on the U-Boat.

Angel is dropped with weights several fathoms to the U-Boat, where he enters through the torpedo tubes and is greeted by Lawson and his men. They still don't know what is on the other side of the bulkhead, but Angel convinces them that he's there to help. Angel opens the bulkhead and discovers what lies on the other side, Spike. He's not alone, as the Germans had also captured and imprisoned some other infamous vampires of the time. Spike figures that Angel was captured with the rest.

The vampires are facing a dilemma, they can't pilot the U-Boat. In fact, only Lawson among the crew knows how to fully operate the ship. Angel arranges a truce, so they can get everyone back to the safety of the shore. In the present, Wesley discovers a bound and gagged Fred, and Lawson gets the drop on him as well. Lawson then proceeds to Angel's penthouse, where Angel is not happy to see him. Angel reminds Lawson that he said he would kill him if he ever saw him again, but Lawson shows Angel that he's captured all the Fang Gang and they'll die if Angel makes one false move.

Back in the past, everyone is working on getting the ship back to shore. However, one of the vampires captured with Spike has begun going through the papers left on the U-Boat. He is enraged by what he discovers, and attacks Heinreich. Angel is forced to kill the vampire (leaving Spike and himself as the only vamps left onboard). Spike discovers what is in the papers, the Germans were experimenting on controlling vampires and creating an invincible army. Lawson appears shocked when Heinreich insinuates that the Allies are doing the same.

The U-Boat comes under attack from destroyers, and the crew barely escapes. In the confusion, Heinreich breaks free of his bonds and stabs Lawson. Lawson is dying, and in order to save the ship and the lives of everyone else on board, Angel is forced to turn Lawson into a vampire. Lawson gets the ship back to the surface, and Angel tells him to get off the ship. He only has a few hours before daylight, and if he ever sees him again he'll kill him. Angel also leaves the ship before it makes shore.

In the present, we discover that Lawson has been tortured his entire life as a vampire. He's out for revenge against Angel for all the pain that he's caused him and the others that he's turned. Angel reveals that Lawson is the only vampire he sired since he was given a soul. They fight and Angel puts Lawson out of his misery by staking him. Upon hearing what happened, Spike figures that this is what Lawson was after all along.

Official Descriptions

The WB
VAMPIRES ABOARD A GERMAN U-BOAT: Lawson (guest star Eyal Podell, “Behind Enemy Lines”), a mysterious man from Angel's (David Boreanaz) past, arrives at Wolfram & Hart and takes the gang hostage. Through flashbacks to World War II, it is revealed that Angel worked with the U.S. Navy to recover a captured German submarine with American sailors on board. The ship also has a secret cargo, a dangerous trio of vampires, including Spike (James Marsters), who were kidnapped by the Germans and forced to help the Nazis. When the sub comes under attack, Angel saves Lawson's life by turning him into a vampire. Now, sixty years later, Lawson has arrived at Wolfram & Hart seeking revenge.

TV Guide

When a face from his past shows up at Wolfram & Hart, flashbacks reveal Angel's role in salvaging a damaged WWII sub carrying crucial technology---and vampire prisoners. But Angel's visitor doesn't want to reminisce; he's looking to settle an old score.

Tivo Guide
During World War II, Angel boards a German U-Boat with a cache of vampires on board.

Spoiler Slayer Articles

ATS: Wildfeeds
ATS: 'Why We Fight' Summary
ATS: Title For 13
ATS: Summary Updated
ATS: Episode 13 Info

Additional Sources

Pandora (Mythical Boards)