Gerhard Koop

Battleships of the German Variety

Battleships of the Bismarck Class is a well researched, with plans, diagrams and pictures of the two ships that are very well known to the English, the Bismarck and the Tirpitz. As someone who has a degree in history and like many others we know and have studied and debated by the warships of the Kriegsmarine. We may know the names and argue about whether it was right that the hunt that went on for both ships, others may have even see the films that have show more been made or viewed programmes on the History Channel. So what do we actually know about the Bismarck Class of ships? Me too, nothing.

This is an interesting read with the plans and placement of both ships with the armaments and engine rooms, decks and all the engineering. This book also explains the origins to the naming of both ships so it gives the whole story and not just the well known parts.

What makes this essential for historians and especially the naval historians is that this book really is the essential and most comprehensive work on the two famous battleships. The two ships that shaped a lot of thoughts about the strengths of the Kriegsmarine, and shaped their hunting down by the Royal Navy. We get both ship’s service history and there are over 200 photographs, plans and maps. This really is essential reading for all those who are enthralled by the Naval battles and Naval history. show less

Extremely well researched technical history of the German predreadnoughts. If you have to have one book about these ships, this would be it. Lots of technical details and service history, including WW II and Boxer Rebellion.