Our understanding of warfare at sea in the eighteenth century has always been divorced from the practical realities of fighting at sea under sail; our knowledge of tactics is largely based upon the ideas of contemporary theorists [rather than practitioners] who knew little of the realities of sailing warfare; and our knowledge of command is similarly flawed. In this book the author presents new evidence from contemporary sources that overturns many old assumptions and introduces a host of new ideas. In a series of thematic chapters; following the rough chronology of a sea fight from initial contact to damage repair; the author offers a dramatic interpretation of fighting at sea in the eighteenth century; and explains in greater depth than ever before how and why sea battles (including Trafalgar) were won and lost in the great Age of Sail. He explains in detail how two ships or fleets identified each other to be enemies; how and why they manoeuvred for battle; how a commander communicated his ideas; and how and why his subordinates acted in the way that they did.
#467231 in Books 2003-03-11 2003-03-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.86 x 3.17 x 7.23l; .36 #File Name: 184176498148 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GERMAN POCKET BATTLESHIPS 1939-45. By CustomerThe Pocket Battleship (Panzerschiffe) was a three ship class developed after World War 1; in order to get around the size and armament restrictions placed on Germany's ship building; under the Treaty of Versaille (1919) and the Washington Agreement (1922). The Germans cleverly armed the class with huge guns (28.3cm or 11.14173 inches) that were allowed and placed them on a lightly armored fast ship with endurance. What they came away with was; as Jane's Review of Fighting Ships stated; was a innovative new class of of Warship/Commerce Raider "that was faster than any class of ship that could defeat it (Battleship and Battlecruiser) but could defeat any ship that could catch up with them (Heavy and Light Cruisers and Destroyers)".The three ships were Deutschland (later Lutzow); Admiral Scheer and Admiral Graf Spee. These new ships appeared to be the pride of the German Navy; as they spent a great deal of time making Goodwill/Courtesy Ports of Call (The Admiral Graf Spee actually took part in the Coronation Naval Review to celebrate the Coronation of King George VI in May 1937).Before the War; they conducted operations during the Spanish Civil War with non-intervention patrols; in support of the Fascist. They also spent considerable time training. These vessels had mixed results during their war patrols. Deutschland/Lutzow was hit and damaged several times and spent considerable time being repaired. Admiral Scheer fared a little better in commerce raiding convoys and providing fire support for the "hard pressed" German Army against the Soviet Red Army troops. The newest ship; the Admiral Graf Spee; was possibly the most successful but short-lived; South Atlantic/Indian Ocean commerce raider.The British assigned several Crusiers groups to search for the Graf Spee. When two groups of British Cruisers found and engaged her; December 13; 1939; she inflicted more damage than she received but had to make repairs to be seaworthy. The Graf Spee took refuge in a neutral Uruguayan port Montevideo in the River Plate. With only 72 hours to make repairs before being seized under International Law; the Captain decided to scuttle the ship rather than lose it to the Uruguyans and British. Deutschland/Lutzow and Admiral Scheer continued North Atlantic convoy raiding. Both met their ends in port. One ; Lutzow; was scuttled as Soviet Red Army troop closed in on the German Port. The Admiral Scheer was attacked by the RAF while in port; was damaged badly and capsized.The book provided information on propulsion; radar and armament for each vessel before going onto their operational histories. They were part of the hope that Germany could again be a surface naval force to be reckoned with; as they were during the Battle of Jutland in World War 1. It wasn't meant to be. It is a small book but interesting in the way it presents the ship class attributes that were the same before moving to the individual vessels. I was aware of the Admiral Graf Spee and enjoyed finding out about her sister ships. I feel I got my monies worth and feel I can recommend this book to anyone interested in a very unique ship. 0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good history source.By eldan falesThis is one of a series of historical books that deal with one class of ships in the German Navy of World war 2. This volume covers the 2 Bismarck class Battleships; and the 2 Sharnhorst class ships that were actually more realistically Battle Cruisers. These books are well 3D illustrated and written in a Tidy manner and don't use conjecture from the point of the writer. This book is a must along with the rest of the series for any one interested in World War 2 Naval history; or any war history buff at all. These books are well priced and would make good gifts for students of history; or someone who likes set collections. This will be one of the books that I recommend to purchase along with a book that I am currently writing about the Plan Z ships that Germany was planning to build for World War 2.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good but shortBy B. Michael ShimminThe New Vanguard publications on different classes of ships in different navies are generally good and also good value. The Pocket Battleships are such special vessels; and had such active careers; that is difficult to do them justice in such a short publication. It makes a good effort but it not so successful as when dealing with; for example; German Light Cruisers and German Heavy Cruisers of the same period; about which most people know rather less. There is so much information available on these innovative vessels however this book is useful to those that have not studied them and has some good photographs; but I would have preferred more photographs rather than artists impressions although those depicting the paint and camouflage schemes will be of interest to modellers.
