{"product_id":"9781472867377","title":"Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command 1939-42: Naval Group West's surface menace","description":"Author: Paterson, Lawrence\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781472867377\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Bloomsbury\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 04 Nov 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 80 Format: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermany's legendary Atlantic surface war was fought by Naval Group West. Superbly illustrated, this unpacks the details of how it operated and fought.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving spent the 1930s on an ambitious but confused bid to build a new battle fleet, Germany began World War II woefully unprepared. Under \u003ci\u003eMarinegruppenkommando\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eWest\u003c\/i\u003e, its heavy ships and raiders were tasked with challenging Allied dominance of the Atlantic. \u003cbr\u003eIn 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 \u003ci\u003eBismarck\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003eWith superb artwork, 3D diagrams, maps and archive photos, this book explores and assesses Germany's commerce war, from the \u003ci\u003eGraf Spee\u003c\/i\u003e's cruise to the ill-fated exploits of \u003ci\u003eBismarck\u003c\/i\u003e, and the final high-risk retreat from Brest, the Channel Dash.","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46655863685278,"sku":"UBD-9781472867377","price":34.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781472867377.jpg?v=1774835799","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781472867377","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}