The German Navy 1935–45

An illustrated study of the uniforms and personal equipment worn by the personnel of the Kriegsmarine, the German Navy of the Third Reich, from 1935–45.

Founded in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, the Kriegsmarine was established in 1935 and reached a peak strength of more than 800,000 personnel in 1944. Its original aim of amassing a surface fleet on parity with Great Britain's Royal Navy shifted with the outbreak of World War II, after which focus moved to submarine warfare, with the Kriegsmarine's U-boats exacting a heavy toll on Allied shipping across the globe. Meanwhile, several of its formidable capital ships – notably the Graf Spee, Bismarck, Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau – saw widespread action as Nazi Germany strove to defeat the Allies at sea.

In this new study, Nigel Thomas examines the evolving organisation, uniforms and equipment used by the Kriegsmarine during its ten-year existence, spanning its pre-war beginnings, the invasion of Norway in 1940, and through to the deployment of Kriegsmarine personnel as grounds troops from 1943–45. The different gear worn by its various branches of service is described in detail and illustrated with newly commissioned colour artwork and an array of specially selected photographs.

About the Author

Nigel Thomas PhD is an accomplished linguist and military historian, formerly at Northumbria University, now a freelance military author, translator and military uniform consultant. His interests are 20th-century military and civil uniformed organisations, with a special interest in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. He has written widely for Osprey with titles such as MAA 518 Polish Legions 1914–19 and Elite 227 Armies of the Baltic Independence Wars 1918–20. He was awarded a PhD for the study of the Eastern enlargement of NATO.

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his career in 1987 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. Most of his work is rendered in Adobe Photoshop using a Cintiq monitor. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani, and Édouard Detaille.

Table of Contents

• Summary: Campaigns
  • Spain, 1936–39
  • Surface operations, 1939–45
  • German naval lineage
  • Submarine operations
  • German Minesweeping Administration, 1945–48
  • Merchant Navy
• Naval Organization
  • North Sea & Baltic Sea 'Stations'/ Naval Group Commands
  • Regional organisation: Flag Officers Commanding
  • Sea Commanders
• The German Fleet, 1939–45
  • Surface ships: Ships-of-the-line
  • Capital ships
  • Cruisers
  • Destroyers
  • Auxiliary cruisers
  • Torpedo boats
  • Speed boats
  • Anti-mine, anti-submarine, patrol & security vessels
  • Submarines Special forces
  • Naval aviation
• Naval Land Forces
  • Naval Infantry
  • Naval Artillery
  • Naval Anti-Aircraft Artillery
  • Other land branches
  • Foreign volunteers
  • Foreign guard units
• Uniforms
  • Navy-blue uniforms
  • White uniforms
  • Brown uniforms
  • Fatigue uniforms
  • Field-grey uniforms
• Ranks & Rank Insignia
• Branch Insignia
• Other Insignia
  • Trade badges
  • War badges
  • Combat clasps & badges
  • Campaign shields
  • Cuff titles
• Index