Paterson, Lawrence/Laurier, Jim (Illustr.) Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command 1939-42. Naval Group West's surface menace

Having spent the 1930s in an ambitious but confused attempt to build a new battle fleet, Germany entered the Second World War completely unprepared. Under Marinegruppenkommando West, its heavy ships and fighters were to challenge Allied supremacy in the Atlantic. In this book, naval specialist Lawrence Paterson examines how Naval Group Command West took up this challenge. He reassesses the qualities of the fleet and finds that confusion over its original role meant that ships like the 'Bismarck' were less than ideal for raiding. Operating as far as the Indian Ocean also required a sophisticated tanker and supply network as well as excellent German signals intelligence. He also explains the complex command structure of the Kriegsmarine in the 1930s and at the beginning of the war, how responsibility for the ships changed between the Naval Group West, the Naval Staff and the commanders of each type, and how the conquest of France changed command. He also explains how the Luftwaffe let down the surface fleet, both in reconnaissance at sea and in its defence in port. With superb visual material, 3D diagrams, maps and archive photos, this book explores and assesses the German merchant war, from the voyage of the "Graf Spee" to the ill-fated ventures of the "Bismarck" and the final risky retreat from Brest, the "Channel Breakthrough".