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by Charles C. Roberts jr.
Hardback (8.2×10.2 inches). 176 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Casemate Illustrated Special
This super-sized version, about double the page length of a typical Casemate Illustrated book, offers an overview of midget submarines produced in Germany, Japan, Italy, and the UK. Design, development, and specs dominate with the occasional mission described. Also included are prototype and design-board versions as well as “manned torpedoes.”
Given the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, I should note the book starts with the one-man American submarine Turtle launched against the British in 1775.
Of interest was the UK pulled a WWII German Biber midget submarine from outside storage and restored it.* I put an asterisk with that statement because the group had to replace hull and other sections that had rotted, replaced the old WWII batteries with modern batteries, and removed and did not replace the 32hp gasoline engine (the same one used in Opel Blitz trucks). Safety was the concern here.
Still, after on shore tests, the restored Biber was lowered into the mirror-still water and sailed around the surface on battery power. Then, it submerged and sailed around underwater. Photos document it all.
The book contains 116 black and white photos, 73 color photos, 26 black and white illustrations, three color illustrations, and nine color profiles.
If you know nothing about the midget subs, here’s a great photo-intensive way to learn.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
