German Navy Handbook 1939-1945

by Showell, Jak P. Mallmann

• ISBN13: 9780750915564
• ISBN10: 0750915560
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square

Summary

Synonymous with such infamous battleships as the Bismarck, Scharnhorst and Tirpitz, the German Navy (or Reichsmarine) was renamed the Kriegsmarine in 1935, shortly after the emergence of the Nazi State, and went through a major re-organization in 1939. During World War II, it became a much-feared adversary both on and beneath the high seas, with its marauding U-boat wolf packs coming close to defeating Britain in the Battle of the Atlantic. The author of this text examines the different roles of the Fleet, and its organization and training activities during the war years. Incidents and operations are described, together with technical data for ships, U-boats and their weaponry. A guide to German Navy uniforms and insignia is included, together with full details of rank structure and specialist trades.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	iv
Chronology	v
After the First World War -- New Beginnings	1	(9)
Treaties, Agreements, Ultimatums and Plans	10	(9)
The Organisation of the Kriegsmarine, November 1938	19	(1)
Operation Orders	20	(5)
The Fleet Command and Large Surface Ships at War	25	(19)
Incidents and Operations	44	(7)
The Fleet	51	(88)
What the Names Mean	139	(2)
U-boats	141	(20)
Midget Weapons	161	(10)
The Naval Air Arm	171	(9)
Naval Weaponry	180	(9)
Disguise, Camouflage and Colour Schemes	189	(6)
Naval Terra Firma	195	(24)
The Supreme Naval Command	219	(7)
Ranks and Insignia	226	(11)
Uniforms	237	(16)
Appendix: Maps	253	(3)
Glossary	256	(7)
Bibliography	263	(7)
Index	270