False Flags: Disguised German Raiders of World War II

German raider voyages to the South Seas during World War II are explored in False Flags, which are now available in paperback. The Orion, Komet, Pinguin, and Kormoran sailed across the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic oceans, sinking or capturing 62 ships. The book also tells the story of the Allied sailors who fought against the raiders and the prisoners of the Third Reich who endured captivity on board.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2019
Publisher: Exisle Publishing

In the early years of World War II, German raider voyages to the South Seas took place, revealing an epic untold story. In 1940, the raiders Orion, Komet, Pinguin, and Kormoran set sail from Germany, initiating a pirate war in the South Seas as part of Germany's strategy to target the British Empire's maritime trade on a global scale. These extraordinary voyages spanned the globe, becoming maritime sagas in the finest tradition of seafaring.

The four raiders traversed the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic oceans, engaging in a forgotten naval war that is now being fully documented for the first time. During their travels, they sank or captured 62 ships, marking a significant chapter in naval history.

The Orion and Komet, in particular, caused terror in the South Pacific and New Zealand waters, long before Pearl Harbor. Their presence raised concerns that the war was much closer than anticipated. The Pinguin, on the other hand, sank numerous Allied merchant ships in the Indian Ocean, before mining the approaches to Australian ports and capturing the Norwegian whaling fleet in Antarctica. The Kormoran, while raiding the Atlantic, is best remembered for sinking the Australian cruiser Sydney off Western Australia, resulting in the tragic loss of all 645 sailors on board.

False Flags also delves into the stories of the Allied sailors who encountered these raiders and engaged in courageous battles against a formidable adversary. These sailors faced immense challenges and fought with unwavering determination, often at the cost of their lives. Additionally, the book sheds light on the experiences of the men, women, and children who were held captive on board the raiders as prisoners of the Third Reich.

False Flags is an engaging and captivating tale that appeals to a wide range of audiences, including military experts and those with an interest in Maritime History. It provides a detailed account of these daring raider voyages and the broader context of World War II, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities and sacrifices of the era.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 233 x 153 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781925335804