Schnellbootwaffe: Adolf Hitler s Guerrilla War at Sea: S-Boote 1939-45

The Schnellbootwaffe was created in the early 1930s by the Germans in conjunction with the regenerated Kriegsmarine. These fast vessels were a threat to coastal trade and the movement of Allied ships after D-Day. Allied air bombardment of German torpedo boat bases failed to destroy their offensive potential, and the Allied disaster at Lyme Bay in 1944 showed how this guerrilla war at sea was still dangerous.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The Schnellbootwaffe, a remarkable naval force, emerged in the early 1930s, preceding the Second World War. In conjunction with the revitalized Kriegsmarine, a cadre of young officers, many of whom honed their skills in the venerable Imperial Navy, assumed responsibility for the operational deployment of these revolutionary vessels. Collaborating with the naval engineers of Lurssen Shipyard, the Germans crafted combat weapons that remained unmatched by their adversaries. The initial series of Schnellboote was followed by a series of constantly improved versions, each designed to enhance the Kriegsmarine's prowess on the water.

At the onset of the war, the Schnellbootwaffe achieved significant victories for the Kriegsmarine through innovative strategies, including a daring form of guerrilla warfare. The British often referred to German torpedo boats as E-boats, recognizing their swiftness and formidable threat. These fast vessels posed a genuine danger not only to coastal trade but also to the movement of Allied ships following D-Day. Indeed, Admiral Rudolf Petersen's flotillas remained combat-ready until the very end, even as the tide of power shifted in favor of the Allies.

Allied air bombardment of German torpedo boat bases from 1944 onward failed to diminish the offensive capabilities of the Schnellboote and their crews. The Allied disaster at Lyme Bay in late April 1944 serves as a poignant illustration of the continued peril of this guerrilla war at sea, even as the war's trajectory began to favor the Allies. The Germans remained unaware of the Allied invasions plans at this juncture, but Eisenhower derived valuable insights from Lyme Bay and recognized the lingering threat posed by the Schnellbootwaffe until the very end of the conflict.

This book delves into the captivating story of these extraordinary individuals, whose audacious pirate spirit and unconventional naval combat style evoke the ancient pirates and their unique warfare methods. The Schnellbootwaffe's legacy remains a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of the German military during a period of profound change and global conflict.

Weight: 582g
Dimension: 190 x 247 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399091756