An authoritative , illustrated history of how Germany fought to dominate the North Sea in early World War II, and take the naval war to Britain''s coasts. Britain''s war economy relied not only on the Atlantic Convoys, but also on superiority in coastal waters. Six days out of seven, convoys left Scotland and northern England, laden chiefly with the coal that the south required - London alone needing 40,000 tons a week. Cutting these lines, as well as challenging military and naval movements, was the responsibility of Germany''s North Sea Command. Here, Kriegsmarine expert Lawrence Paterson offers the first study of Germany''s fierce war in the North Sea from a strategic and operational perspective. Although famous for its dashing S-boats, the North Sea saw an array of ships from battleships (briefly) and cruisers to converted fishing boats. Destroyers, torpedo boats and minelayers laid extensive mine barrages close inshore, in the face of the Royal Navy. He also explores the command''s defences, with its many Kriegsmarine shore troops, artillery emplacements, flak batteries and small units of marines. German coastal forces engaged British forces at Dunkirk and, with the fall of France, the war spread along the entire coastline. With diagrams, archive photos (some unpublished) and original artwork, this is the story of the Kriegsmarine''s struggle to cut Britain''s military and trade arteries.

Autorentext
Lawrence "Larry" Paterson is a qualified scuba diving instructor who spent many years living in France and researching German wrecks from World War II in Breton waters. His first book First U-boat Flotilla was a direct result of his time near Brest, home of that particular U-boat flotilla. He also spent a period of time as a member of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum Archive Working group, specializing in U-boat records. He attributes much of his interest in World War II to both his grandfathers; one who was an ANZAC during the First World War and the other who was a Royal Navy stoker during the Second. His naval books have been published worldwide. Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching historical documentaries with his father and developed a fascination for historical and fantasy art. Following art studies in both Paris and Belgium he worked as a concept artist in the videogame industry and in recent years has also undertaken historical commissions while working as a freelancer for historical magazines. He lives and works near London.

Klappentext
An authoritative, illustrated history of how Germany fought to dominate the North Sea in early World War II, and take the naval war to Britain's coasts.

Inhalt

THE FLEET'S PURPOSE
FLEET FIGHTING POWER
The Ships
Technical Factors
HOW THE FLEET OPERATED
Organization
Command
Intelligence
Logistics and Facilities
COMBAT AND ANALYSIS
The Fleet in Combat
Analysis
FURTHER READING
INDEX