Kriegsmarine North Sea Command 1939–42

Kriegsmarine North Sea Command 1939–42 is an authoritative, illustrated history of how Germany fought to dominate the North Sea in the early years of World War II and take the naval war to Britain’s coasts.

Britain’s war economy depended on more than the Atlantic convoys – its coastal shipping routes were vital too. Every week, convoys departed Scotland and northern England carrying the coal that powered the south, with London alone consuming 40,000 tons weekly. Disrupting these supply lines, and striking at Britain’s military and naval operations, was the responsibility of Germany’s North Sea Command.

In this first detailed study of Germany’s North Sea campaign, naval historian Lawrence Paterson examines the conflict from both strategic and operational perspectives. While the Kriegsmarine’s fast S-boats are well known, the North Sea saw a much broader range of vessels – from destroyers and torpedo boats to converted trawlers and minelayers – all operating in hazardous coastal waters against the Royal Navy. Paterson also explores the command’s shore-based defences, including artillery batteries, flak units, and marine detachments.

With archival photographs, technical diagrams, and original artwork by Edouard A. Groult, this volume offers a comprehensive picture of the Kriegsmarine’s campaign to sever Britain’s maritime lifelines.

Table of Contents

• The Fleet’s Purpose
• Fleet Fighting Power
• The Ships
• Technical Factors
• How the Fleet Operated
• Organisation
• Command
• Intelligence
• Logistics and Facilities
• Combat and Analysis
• The Fleet in Combat
• Analysis
• Further Reading
• Index

About the Authors

Lawrence “Larry” Paterson is a naval historian and qualified scuba instructor who has spent many years researching German wrecks in Breton waters. His first book, First U-boat Flotilla, stemmed from his work near Brest. A former member of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum Archive Working Group, he specialises in U-boat records. His interest in naval history was shaped by his grandfathers – one an ANZAC of the First World War, the other a Royal Navy stoker in the Second – and his books have been published worldwide.

Edouard A. Groult is an illustrator and concept artist, whose fascination with military history began in childhood. Educated in Paris and Belgium, he has worked in the videogame industry and on historical commissions for magazines. He lives near London.