The Kaiser's Pirates: German Surface Raiders in World War One

No other book in the world can cover a somewhat-remote aspect of the First World War as John Walter's "The Kaiser's Pirates". Meticulously-researched text plus period photographs, maps and excellent line drawings of the ships involved, this book would surely find a place in any history, military and naval enthusiast's library! I personally found it difficult to put down, reading the exploits of each individual surface raider along with its captain and crew, my favorite ship being the SMS Emden. Ship's data, armament, propulsion and their respective voyages, sea actions and ultimate fates are listed here in exhileratingly-dramatic coverage and detail. Case in point? This book is a GEM!!! Hollywood may be short on ideas, but if they were to read this fantastic work, they indeed would generate a highly-energetic and rivetting action/war movie (i.e. exploits of the cruiser EMDEN??)the likes of which has not existed since "Saving Private Ryan" was released 11 years ago. Yes, this book is THAT GOOD. I applaud author John Walters for an outstanding job-well-done!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

IN A NUTSHELL: TRUE MILITARY HISTORY AT ITS BEST: TRUE - DRAMATIC & ENTERTAINING True military history that is a compelling read is a rare commodity, but this book is filled with the stuff from cover-to-cover. WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT: At the onset of World War 1, Germany found many of its surface vessels on station at distant ports, with little prospect of engaging the larger and more universally harbored British fleet. While in the process of sortieing back to Germany, and harrassing rather than engaging the larger British fleet, many German ships found themselves in the rather unexpected role of surface raider. With successful actions, like the Emden's and Konigsberg's, at the war's onset, a new and more deliberate effort to keep the British navy away from home in force was continued throughout the war. Unlike the U-boats, this surface fleet was designed to attract the attention of the British navy and to literally keep them on as many wild goose chases as possible. Their strategic goal was to reduce the numerical superiority of the British Home Fleet versus the German's 'High Sea's Fleet' pending a decisive action in the European theatre, like Jutland. Naturally, beyond their strategic goal of diverting the Royal Navy, they had tactical objectives such as: 1]- Destroying British cargo vessels and war supplies en-route. 2]- Disrupting wireless communication. 3]- Collecting the coal and other provisions they needed to stay on station without the aid of a supply train. Naturally, this meant pirating much of they needed from English sources. 4]- To observe the civility and decency as provided under international law. The fourth objective seems in conflict with the other objectives of war, but that is what makes the story so interesting. In literally all instances, the German surface raiders of World War 1 behaved in a most admirable and chivalrous way. How they maintain this very high standard of conduct while fighting a superior force in a lost cause is what this volume is filled with. The ingenuity demonstrated by both British and Germans, including the first real air reconnaissance [on both sides], decoying, provisioning off-station, and camouflaging [German] makes for a fascinating read. ABOUT THE BOOK: READS SO WELL ONE COULD FIND THE SCRIPT FOR A DOZEN HOLLYWOOD EPICS After a comprehensive introduction which brings us up to speed on the state of the recent breakthroughs in propulsion technologies plus warship dispositions and fighting abilities, we get to the meat of the text. CHAPTER FOR EACH SIGNIFICANT RAIDER: CRISP & INTERESTING In alphabetical order each significant raider's history, including; Dresden, Emden, Konigsberg, Karlsruhe, Mowe and more [14 in all], is outlined comprehensively. Their stories are incredible for non-fiction, and beg to be made into war film epics as their drama, complexity and human interest are engrossing and universally compelling. John Walter and the Naval Institute Press have another real winn