Overview

Although often overlooked in favour of the U-boats or battleships, the vast majority of the Kriegsmarine was formed of the smaller vessels of the coastal forces. These ships and boats, which included minesweepers, torpedo boats, patrol boats, and blockade breakers, gave crucial service to Germany during the war, and many continued serving for decades after the surrender in such tasks as clearing minefields. Also included in these forces was Hitler's yacht, the Ostwind. This book reveals the history of the vessels that formed the backbone of the Kriegsmarine, and combines fascinating anecdotes, detailed technical information, and full-colour artwork.

Full Product Details

Author:   Gordon Williamson ,  Ian Palmer (Illustrator)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Osprey Publishing
Volume:   No. 151
Dimensions:   Width: 18.40cm , Height: 0.50cm , Length: 24.80cm
Weight:   0.186kg
ISBN:  

9781846033315

ISBN 10:   1846033314
Pages:   48
Publication Date:   09 January 2009
Audience:   General/trade ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   No Longer Our Product
Availability:   Out of stock  
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.
Language:   English

Table of Contents

Introduction * Minensuchboote (minesweepers) * Torpedoboote (torpedo boats) - small destroyers armed with two sets of torpedo tubes and similar to the Allied destroyer escort * Raumboote - trawlers pressed into military service which were literally outpost vessels perfoming a patrol service and giving early warning of the approach of enemy forces * Tenders: Mothership vessels for flotillas of smaller vessels such as E-boats and U-boats * Tankers and auxiliaries - provided crucial refuelling facilities to U-boats. Most were hunted down and destroyed during the course of the war * Blockage breakers * Miscellaneous - including former cruise liners acting as troopships. The Wilhelm Gustlov was sunk in the Baltic by a Soviet submarine carrying thousands of passengers including women and children fleeing the approaching Red Army. It was the greatest single loss of life in a maritime disaster yet few people have heard of the ship. Also training ships and Hitler's personal yacht, which was in fact a large steam powered vessel.

Reviews

.. .this promises to be a great addition to any reference library. --Sean Ford, ModelShipwrights.net (October 2008)

.,. this promises to be a great addition to any reference library. -Sean Ford, ModelShipwrights.net (October 2008)

Author Information

Gordon Williamson was born in 1951 and currently works for the Scottish Land Register. He spent seven years with the Military Police TA and has published a number of books and articles on the decorations of the Third Reich and their recipients. He is the author of a number of World War II titles for Osprey.

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