Schnellboote

Author : Lawrence Paterson
Publisher : Seaforth Publishing
Page : 353 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 2015-11-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781848320833

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Schnellboote by Lawrence Paterson Pdf

The Kriegsmarine's Schnellboote – fast attack boats or E-boats to the Allies – were the primary German naval attack units in coastal waters throughout the Second World War. Operating close to their various bases they became a devastatingly effective weapon in nearly all the Kriegsmarine's theatres of war, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It was in the English Channel, however, that they scored their most notable successes, destroying some forty warships and more than one hundred merchant ships. In addition to interception and attack, they were also used for minelaying, landing sabotage troops and general escort duties. There has been, to date, no comprehensive operational history of the S-boat service in all the theatres in which it saw service, but due to the relatively small number of units it is possible to recount the duties and fates of each individual craft and in this new book the author examines the career of each in detail. In addition, operations alongside the commando units of the Kleinkampfverbande are covered, and the smaller S-boats, designed primarily for their use, are described. As the War progressed, S-boats suffered from the increased Allied mastery of the seas and skies but they were a formidable foe right to the end; this new book is the first to do full justice to their record of success

Author : Marcus Faulkner,Alessio Patalano
Publisher : University Press of Kentucky
Page : 362 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 2019-12-10
Category : History
ISBN : 9781949668070

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The Sea and the Second World War by Marcus Faulkner,Alessio Patalano Pdf

An in-depth study of World War II’s naval operations. “Rarely does a collection of essays offer so many new and persuasive assessments. Well done!”—Professor David Snead, Liberty University The sea shaped the course and conduct of World War II, from the first moments of the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, to the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. The impact could be felt far beyond the shoreline, as the arms and armies carried across the oceans were ultimately destined to wage war ashore. Populations and industries depended on the raw materials and supplies in a war that increasingly became a contest of national will and economic might. Ultimately, it was the war at sea that linked numerous regional conflicts and theaters of operation into a global war. As the war grew in complexity and covered an increasingly larger geographical area, the organization of the maritime effort and the impact it had on the formulation of national strategy also evolved. This volume illustrates the impact of naval operations on the Second World War by highlighting topics previously neglected in the scholarship. In doing so, it provides new insights into political, strategic, administrative, and operational aspects of the maritime dimension of the war. “A fine collection of essays by some of the leading scholars in the field. The book addresses comprehensively the vital importance of the sea across a range of theaters during the Second World War through a diverse selection of case studies. The examinations and re-examinations in this volume will be of interest to both scholars and practitioners.”—Dr. Steven Paget, University of Portsmouth

Author : Joseph Balkoski
Publisher : Stackpole Books
Page : 408 pages
File Size : 43,9 Mb
Release : 2006
Category : History
ISBN : 0811733777

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Utah Beach by Joseph Balkoski Pdf

The attack on Utah Beach during the Normandy invasion was one of the most successful military operations ever undertaken, especially bearing in mind the complexities of such a massive air & seaborne assault. Joseph Balkoski describes the unfolding drama.

Author : Steve Wiper
Publisher : Seaforth Publishing
Page : 67 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2012-01-19
Category : History
ISBN : 9781848321229

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German S-Boats by Steve Wiper Pdf

The 'ShipCraft' series provides in-depth information about building and modifying model kits of famous warship types. Lavishly illustrated, each book takes the modeller through a brief history of the subject class, highlighting differences between sister-ships and changes in their appearance over their careers. This includes paint schemes and camouflage, featuring colour profiles and highly-detailed line drawings and scale plans. The modelling section reviews the strengths and weaknesses of available kits, lists commercial accessory sets for super-detailing of the ships, and provides hints on modifying and improving the basic kit. This is followed by an extensive photographic gallery of selected high-quality models in a variety of scales, and the book concludes with a section on research references - books, monographs, large-scale plans and relevant websites. The subject of this volume is the Second World War German Navy's motor torpedo boats called Schnellboote, known to the Allies as E-Boats. One of the most effective coastal attack craft of the time, the type was built in large numbers and constantly improved as the war progressed, giving many variants to interest modellers. With its unparalleled level of visual information - paint schemes, models, line drawings and photographs - it is simply the best reference for any modelmaker setting out to build one of these famous boats.

Author : G H Bennett
Publisher : Seaforth Publishing
Page : 342 pages
File Size : 40,7 Mb
Release : 2023-12-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781399077927

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The War for England's Shores by G H Bennett Pdf

The War for England's Shores examines the Kriegsmarine's S-Boat offensive along the English Channel and the North Sea from 1940 to 1945, together with British and, later, Allied responses to nullify that threat. Very fast, and armed with torpedoes and mines, S-Boats posed a serious threat to the convoys that were forced to run close along the British coast on a daily basis. Despite the significance of this campaign and the real threat to the whole British war economy, it has been, until now, strangely overlooked by historians. Indeed, the book highlights issues around the maritime identity of those states and navies that see themselves in oceanic terms, at the expense of engagement with, and operations in, coastal waters. Using an array of archival materials from Britain, Germany and the USA, The War for England’s Shores examines why the Germans failed to make the most of this opportunity to disrupt British trade. G H Bennett analyzes how the British slowly countered the threat by embracing new technologies and developing a system of sea control that gradually forced the German S-Boat arm from the offensive against Britain's coastal convoys, and on to the defensive in the months leading up to the invasion of France. The author also looks at the S-Boat campaign along these convoy routes in the context of present-day interest in littoral warfare, so that the work has a vital and current appeal and offers significant and surprising insights. The book offers an unparalleled exploration of a key moment in the development of coastal warfare, and will appeal to historians and enthusiasts as well as defense analysts and naval personnel.

Author : Lawrence Paterson
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 359 pages
File Size : 44,5 Mb
Release : 2015-11-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781848324091

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Schnellboote by Lawrence Paterson Pdf

“A detailed account of the fast patrol boats built and used by the Kriegsmarine during WWII . . . a book for every naval history enthusiast.”—Firetrench The Kriegsmarine’s Schnellboote—fast attack boats or S-boats to the Allies—were the primary German naval attack units in coastal waters throughout the Second World War. Operating close to their various bases they became a devastatingly effective weapon in nearly all the Kriegsmarine’s theatres of war, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It was in the English Channel, however, that they scored their most notable successes, destroying some forty warships and more than one hundred merchant ships. In addition to interception and attack, they were also used for minelaying, landing sabotage troops and general escort duties. There has been, to date, no comprehensive operational history of the S-boat in all the theatres in which it saw service, but due to the relatively small number of units it is possible to recount the duties and fates of each individual craft, and in this new book the author examines the career of each in detail. In addition, operations alongside the commando units of the Kleinkampfverbande are covered, and the smaller S-boats, designed primarily for their use, are described. As the War progressed, S-boats suffered from the increased Allied mastery of the seas and skies but they were a formidable foe right to the end; this new book is the first to do full justice to their record of success. “An important addition to the body of coastal forces literature, and should be essential reading for anyone interested in the wars of the ‘Narrow Seas.’”—Battlefleet

Author : Hans Frank
Publisher : Seaforth Publishing
Page : 192 pages
File Size : 54,5 Mb
Release : 2007-01-17
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844157167

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German S-Boats in Action in the Second World War by Hans Frank Pdf

A detailed narrative of S-boat, or schnellboot, actions during World War II in all the theatres where they were deployed. The author, describes, with the help of a multitude of maps and photographs, all the incidents that these 45-knot fast attack craft were involved in. The German motor torpedo boat (German: S-boot, English: E-boat) was a controversial subject in the pre-war period of German naval rearmament. As late as 1938, the Fleet Commander recommended that S-boot building be terminated on the grounds that the craft was merely a 'weapon of opportunity' without a defined role. This outlook changed dramatically after the first wartime successes. Soon the S-boot was required on all fronts, and the area of operations. In this volume the operational deployment of the S-Boot in these theatres is given comprehensive treatment for the first time, and not purely from the isolated viewpoint of S-Boot warfare, but as an integral part of the overall military objectives of the time. This study of the effectiveness of the S-Boot, its successes and failures, is based on war diary entries and previously unseen original sources. It is a first-class account of this German naval arm in which survived to be the last class of German surface warship still carrying the offensive to the enemy.

Author : Robert Jackson
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 164 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2013-03-20
Category : History
ISBN : 9781472800671

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Churchill’s Channel War by Robert Jackson Pdf

From the Battle of Britain to D-Day, this book uncovers the history of the Channel War. From the beaches of Dunkirk to the launch of Operation Overlord, the Channel saw continuous action during World War II, and was the world's most fought-over waterway. In this fascinating account, Robert Jackson offers a study of the Channel War from 1939–45, detailing the German threats to British shipping, the use of convoys and the extensive minelaying operations, as well as the Battle of Britain, the use of long-range artillery and everything in between. As well as offering a study of the furious Channel War battles, Jackson also reveals how the Channel was essential for the launch of Churchill's famed special forces Commandos, who, under the cover of darkness, launched raids on Occupied France as well as the Channel Islands. The Channel War bought together the Royal Navy and Air Force, as they both battled to defend England and prevent a much feared German invasion.

Author : Bryan Cooper
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 392 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2009-07-19
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844689354

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The War of the Gun Boats by Bryan Cooper Pdf

This WWII naval history chronicles the development of small fighting boats as well as the evolution of their tactics and coastal warfare operations. Small, fast and highly maneuverable, gunboats and motor torpedo boats were a vital part of naval combat through the Second World War. Every major naval power built their own versions: The Germans had Schnellboote, the Royal Navy had MTBs and MGBs, and the Americans had PT boats. With their daring night raids and close-range battles, they displayed the buccaneering spirit of an earlier age. These small boats fought in coastal waters across the globe, from the narrow waters of the English Channel to the stormy North Sea; in the Mediterranean off the coasts of North Africa and Italy and among the islands of the Aegean; across the Pacific from Pearl Harbor to Leyte Gulf; in Hong Kong and Singapore; and off Burma's Arakan coast. In The War of the Gun Boats, historian Bryan Cooper traces the development of these craft, beginning with their limited use in the First World War and the fast motorboats designed to break water speed records in the 1930s. Cooper then details their widespread implementation during the Second World War and the development of their own form of naval warfare.

Author : Steve Wiper
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 72 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2001-01-01
Category : Torpedo-boats
ISBN : 0971068747

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Warship Pictorial 15 by Steve Wiper Pdf

Author : Eric C Rust
Publisher : Naval Institute Press
Page : 178 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2017-11-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781682472323

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Naval Officers Under Hitler by Eric C Rust Pdf

This book is a collective biography of the 318 men who joined the German Navy in 1934 to become officers. It traces their lives from their upbringing in the Weimar Republic through their post-war careers. Unique in its subject matter and methodology in both German and international military historiography, Naval Officers under Hitler is a professional, political, and psychological group portrait based on personal interviews and correspondence as well as archival research. It stresses the drama of recent German history that these officers experienced closely as observers, participants, victims, and sometimes, beneficiaries. The author argues that the vast majority of junior naval officers under Hitler, while well trained and prepared to defend their fatherland as good patriots, felt no profound or lasting attachment to Nazi ideology. Instead, their ideological preferences remained with patriotic, conservative groups such as the German National People's Party and its successor organizations after World War II. Otherwise love of the sea and of the naval profession lay at the center of their overall worldview and priorities.

Author : Chris Ward,Andy Lee,Andreas Wachtel
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 439 pages
File Size : 46,6 Mb
Release : 2009-07-19
Category : History
ISBN : 9781783035199

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Dambusters: The Forging of a Legend by Chris Ward,Andy Lee,Andreas Wachtel Pdf

617 Squadron of 5 Group RAF Bomber Command was without doubt the most famous RAF Squadron in World War II. It was formed to carry out the precision low-level attack on the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams, using Barnes Wallaces newly developed rotating mine, now commonly referred to as The Bouncing Bomb. The raid was a tremendous success, although at great cost to the squadron, and proved to be a great moral booster for the war-weary British public. Guy Gibson VC was tasked with organizing the formation and training of the new squadron and the Dambusters have been national heroes ever since. Although several books have previously been written on this epic adventure, this is a new look at their first raid and then the long and envious history of 617 until the end of the war. This new version of the Dams raid within the book, pays particular attention to timings, as it is easy to overlook the fact, that this was a complex three-phase operation, spanning 8 hours and 47 minutes, with action occurring simultaneously at widely dispersed locations. It also attempts to settle finally the circumstances of the losses, by examining the testimony of eyewitnesses on both sides, and presenting arguments to help readers decide for themselves what actually happened where previous accounts are contradictory or at variance. In the later war years 617 suffered greatly during an attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal but recovered and their list of priority special targets then included the German missile research plant at Peenemunde, Hamburg, the U boat pens at La Pallice and the sinking of the battleship Tirpitz. The legendary Leonard Cheshire VC led the Squadron for much of that period. This newly researched account of 617s wartime record contains many first-hand accounts from squadron members and also German and Dutch witnesses who were present at some of the most spectacular raids and have explained many of the mysterious losses of the Squadrons aircraft.Lengthy appendices contain a Roll of Honour, Commanders, Airfields and aircraft, Operational statistics and Aircraft Histories.

Author : Paul Kemp
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 299 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 1993-09-14
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473814479

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Friend or Foe by Paul Kemp Pdf

During the Second World War, there were over 100 instances of naval engagements between ships, submarines and aircraft of the same side. In the past there has often been a reluctance by the authorities to admit to these losses but with operational records now available, it is possible for historians to explain how a good number of ships and submarines were attacked, damaged or sunk by the forces of their own side.

Author : Hrvoje Spajic
Publisher : Pen and Sword Military
Page : 225 pages
File Size : 54,6 Mb
Release : 2021-12-22
Category : History
ISBN : 9781399091763

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Schnellbootwaffe: Adolf Hitler’s Guerrilla War at Sea: S-Boote 1939-45 by Hrvoje Spajic Pdf

The Schnellbootwaffe was created in the early 1930s, before the Second World War, in concurrence with the regenerated Kriegsmarine. Young officers, most of whom learned their craft in the old Imperial Navy, would now take responsibility for the operational use of these revolutionary vessels. Working with the naval engineers of Lürssen Shipyard, the Germans designed combat weapons that were never surpassed by their opponents. After the first series of Schnellboote were launched, constantly improved versions of these vessels would follow. The Schnellbootwaffe would achieve significant victories for the Kriegsmarine at the beginning of the war by using these vessels in high-level strategies, including a style of guerrilla warfare. The British often call German torpedo boats E-boats, and these fast vessels were a genuine threat not only to coastal trade, but also to the movement of Allied ships after D-Day. Indeed, Admiral Rudolf Petersen's flotillas remained combat-ready until the very end, even after the balance of power was in favour of the Allies. Allied air bombardment of German torpedo boat bases from 1944 onwards failed to destroy the offensive potential of the Schnellboote and their crews. The Allied disaster at Lyme Bay at the end of April 1944 shows how this guerrilla war at sea was still dangerous, even at this stage of the war. The Allied invasion plans were not yet known to the Germans, but Eisenhower learned a great deal from Lyme Bay and the Schnellbootwaffe was still potentially dangerous right until the end of the war. This book tells the fascinating story about these special people, whose pirate spirit and guerrilla style of naval combat is reminiscent of the ancient pirates and their own way of warfare.

Author : Vincent dePaul Lupiano
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 257 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2022-12-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781493068005

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Operation Ginny by Vincent dePaul Lupiano Pdf

Operation Ginny is the story of the two Operation Ginnys. Both military assaults by the Allied forces were unsuccessful, although the first was successfully recalled. The second operation launched one month later, March 22, 1943, and ended up in the murder of all 15 American participants by the Nazis. It became one of the most notable and historic raids of WWII, providing much legal precedent and criteria for the Nuremberg Trials that began in September 1946. While not a military success, Operation Ginny was unlike any other commando operation during WWII and would have consequences and effects on the conduct and illegalities of war and military criminal justice. And thereby hangs a tale….