Freivogel, Zvonimir Österreichisch-Ungarische Unterseeboote

The author is describing the development of the Austro-Hungarian submarines, including their descriptions, technical data and short operational histories in WW I, and their fates during the war and afterwards. In addition there is a list of all German submarines operating under the Austro-Hungarian flag and temporary Austro-Hungarian designations, during the time as Germany was not at war with Italy, a former ally. There are more than 200 illustrations with numerous tables on the building and technical data, making this book an interesting addition to the libraries of warship´ and submarine´ enthusiasts and historians as well.

The book contains more than 200 illustrations and numerous tables, which should make it interesting not only for military history and submarine enthusiasts, but also for historians.
The Austro-Hungarian submarines appeared late on the world stage and most of them were either too small or already obsolete for use in the First World War. Nevertheless, they operated successfully in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. Of the six boats built before the First World War, which were joined by a seventh that was built as a speculation and then bought by the Imperial and Royal Navy, two of them were used in the Adriatic. Navy, two were not suitable as combat boats and three more were lost in the war. A group of five larger boats built in Germany to Austro-Hungarian specifications were sold to Germany because it was believed that they would not reach the Adriatic during the war. As a replacement, five small German UB I submarines were purchased, which could not adequately replace the "customised" boats; they were used to train the crews and as small attack boats in the enemy's coastal area, where they could sink a submarine and a torpedo boat. The time and resources invested in the construction of four "Havmanden" coastal submarines were actually wasted. The eight boats of the German type UB II, built under licence in Austria-Hungary, on the other hand - together with two other former German UB II boats and a lifted and repaired French "Laubeuf" boat - became a valuable part of the Imperial and Royal Submarine Flotilla. U-boat flotilla because they could also operate outside the Adriatic.