German S-Boats in Action in the Second World War

 

The first comprehensive treatment of World War II S-boats to be published in English, this book provides operational details of the German schnellboot, or motor torpedo boat, in all theaters where they were deployed during the war. With the help of a multitude of maps, photographs, and drawings, Frank chronicles every incident that involved the 53-knot fast attack craft. The author examines the S-boat's effectiveness as an integral part of the German military objectives of the time. This study of the schnellboot's successes and failures offers a first-class account of the surface warship that carried the offensive to the enemy longer than any other.

 

Hans Frank served in the Federal German navy from 1961 to 1999, ultimately rising to hold the position of Commanding Officer of the S-Boat Flotilla. He is also the founder of the S-Boat Flotilla Veterans' Association whose archive contains personal histories submitted by former S-Boat men. The author of several studies respecting S-Boat operations, Frank draws upon his many years of experience and expertise in "German S-Boats In Action In The Second World War" to provide the first comprehensive English-language study of the S-Boat 'schnellboot') actions during World War II in all the theatres where they were deployed. The S-Boat (in English they were called E-Boats) was the German 40-knot motor torpedo boat that had a history of controversy going back to the pre-war period of German naval rearmament. When war broke out, the S-Boat proved to be an effective naval weapon and was put into action in all areas of operations from the North Cape, to the Mediterranean, to the English Channel, to the Baltic and Black Sea theatres. "German S-Boats In Action In The Second World War" is a profusely illustrated history of this particularly effective German naval craft that will have particular appeal for World War II military history buffs, as well as an invaluable addition to academic library 20th Century Naval Military History reference collections.

Hans Frank

Hardcover 208pp

Book Code:  AW0415