U-Boat Crews 1914-45

Osprey Elite #60

by Gordon Williamson, Darko Pavlović (Illustrator)

Osprey's study of the U-Boat and its crews during World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). If one single weapon in Germany's arsenal can be said to have come closest to winning the war for the Third Reich, it was without doubt the U-Boat. German U-Boat technology, training, tactics and combat successes far exceeded those of any of the other combatant nations, and even as the Third Reich was crumbling, technically advanced vessels such as the Type XXI, many years ahead of its time, were being put into volume production. Gordon Williamson provides a fascinating overview of the achievements of the U-Boat Waffe in both wars, together with a study of the uniforms and insignia worn by U-Boat crews.

Genres: History, Military History, War, World War II, World War I, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 1995

About the author

Gordon Williamson (born 1951) is a military history writer and author based in the United Kingdom. Williamson spent seven years with the Military Police in the British Territorial Army and resides in Scotland. Williamson's works focus primarily on German military forces during the Second World War.

Williamson has worked with several publishers but is perhaps best known for his continuing partnership with Osprey Publishing, with whom he has produced over 40 books.

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuity between the kaiserliche- and Kriegsmarine makes this uniform study double useful; there's just enough info on the use of all the buttons and braids to give an impression of the cramped practicality aboard. This is one of those Ospreys that need a Warrior counterpart* to discuss training and tactics, but it will cause a few knowledgable nods the next time you watch Das Boot.

*Osprey Warrior #36 : "Grey Wolf: U-Boat Crewman of World War II" by the same author