Germany’s legendary Atlantic surface war was fought by Naval Group West. Superbly illustrated, this unpacks the details of how it operated and fought.
Having spent the 1930s on an ambitious but confused bid to build a new battle fleet, Germany began World War II woefully unprepared. Under Marinegruppenkommando West, its heavy ships and raiders were tasked with challenging Allied dominance of the Atlantic.
In this book, Kriegsmarine specialist Lawrence Paterson explores how Naval Group West took on the challenge. He reassesses the qualities of the fleet, and how the confusion over their original role meant that ships like the Bismarck were less than ideal for raiding. Operating as far afield as the Indian Ocean also relied on an elaborate tanker and supply network, as well as Germany’s superb signals intelligence. He also explains the complex Kriegsmarine command structure during the 1930s and early war, how responsibility for the ships veered between Naval Group West, the Naval Staff, and type commanders, and how the conquest of France transformed the command. He also explains how the Luftwaffe failed the surface fleet, both in scouting at sea and defending them in port.
With superb artwork, 3D diagrams, maps and archive photos, this book explores and assesses Germany’s commerce war, from the Graf Spee’s cruise to the ill-fated exploits of Bismarck, and the final high-risk retreat from Brest, the Channel Dash.
By:
Lawrence Paterson
Illustrated by:
Jim Laurier (Illustrator)
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 182mm,
Spine: 10mm
Weight: 253g
ISBN: 9781472867377
ISBN 10: 1472867378
Series: Fleet
Pages: 80
Publication Date: 22 May 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
(Subject to Confirmation) THE FLEET'S PURPOSE FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships - Battleships Scharnhorst; Gneisenau; Bismarck; Tirpitz - Panzerschiffe Deutschland (later renamed Lützow); Admiral Scheer; Admiral Graf Spee - Heavy cruisers Admiral Hipper; Prinz Eugen; Blücher - Light forces - Gunnery and Fire Control HOW THE FLEET OPERATED - Naval Command Naval Group West (Marinegruppenkommando West) - Fleet Command (Flottenkommando) - Naval Group West and the move to France - Doctrine, Command, and Communication - Intelligence - Logistics and Facilities Supply Ships The French bases COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING
Lawrence ‘Larry’ Paterson is a diving instructor who spent years researching German wrecks off Brittany, from which his first book First U-boat Flotilla directly resulted. Since then he has had over 20 books published, mostly on the Kriegsmarine. He attributes much of his interest in World War II to his grandfathers; one of whom was an ANZAC during the First World War, the other a Royal Navy stoker in the Second. Jim Laurier is a renowned illustrator with paintings on display at the Pentagon.
Reviews for Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command 1939–42: Naval Group West's surface menace
Lawrence Paterson has written a succinct but engrossing account of the Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command. * Neil Smith *
