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by Lawrence Paterson.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 80 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Germany’s Coastal Naval Command
This volume in the series covers German small-boat and ship actions from S-boat through destroyers in the English Channel with some extension into the North Sea. It does not cover the invasion of Norway.
Design and development of German boats and ships are well explained, especially the design flaws of the larger ships that caused shiphandling problems and mechanical issues. The Schnellboote (motor torpedo boats), on the other hand, were well-engineered, if often improperly used.
Minelaying off the British coast became a German specialty early in the war, although as the Allies gained sea and air superiority, such missions diminished.
Fleet organization changed as the war progressed, but the problem of little Luftwaffe-Kriegsmarine cooperation remained unsolved. Goering gets the blame here for demanding that all aircraft, including naval air units, come under Luftwaffe control, hence the inter-service rivalry.
The booklet contains 39 black and white photos, one color photo, five color maps, one color diagram, and three color two-page action illustrations.
A fine overview.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
