This highly acclaimed book has now been translated into English. The author has carried out many years of research, including interviewing veterans. This has revealed some remarkable details of the little known K-Verband, Germany's 'Small Naval Unit Command.'
The book begins by describing how the Italians & the British used a variety of submersive crafts to attack shipping in harbours, as well as briefly looking at the Commando raiding force created after Churchill became Prime Minister.
Little has been written on Germany's attempts to create a similar force, mostly because German records were destroyed.
The author's research has revealed the use of one-man torpedo crafts, midget submarines, explosive boats & Commando style Frogmen.
The Germans designed & trialled a variety of craft. Training for the men was dangerous, & often fatal. These volunteers were prepared to carry out almost suicidal missions to attack mostly Allied shipping.
From the beaches at Anzio to the Normandy coast, to Norway & down to the Adriatic. They attacked their targets with mixed success, & often high losses. There can be no doubt of the bravery of these men.
This book certainly reveals a lot for the first time. My only recollection on the subject was recently learning about German Frogmen attacking the bridges at Nijmegen, post OP Market Garden.
This has been an interesting & a quite revealing read.
My thanks to Pen & Sword Books for my review copy.