Osprey's publishing "niche" books continues with a welcome New Vanguard 91 volume on German Destroyers, 1939-45. While even a cursory coverage of American fleet destroyers (DD)s of WW II required 5 books from Squadron, the much smaller numbers of Deutsche Kriegsmarine (DKM, German Navy) DDs makes the subject "managable" in a single tome.

Surprisingly,  given the vastness of World War II, Germany's destroyer force comprised only about 40 commissioned ships, total. Contrast this to the figure of 175 Fletcher class American DDs, alone, plus all the other classes!

Author Gordon Williamson presents the subject matter in a straightforward, informative way. He has done several books on the DKM and has his personal format (within the Osprey format) down, well. Readers will delight in the myriad of tasty historic texual bits served up page after page by Williamson, a delightful by-product of the subject matter's esoteric nature. Kudos to the author for his presentation and Osprey for boldness in adding this volume to their range.

Illustrator Ian Palmer's artwork treats the reader to the usual high quality of colour we consumers enjoy from Osprey. Seriously good nautical art here, folks. The subject matter's relative unfamiliarity makes the colour pages all the more intriguing. As usual with the cutaway view, this would be better presented in a fold-out where midships detail and continuity is not lost in the binding.

German-built DDs were uniformally large, visually impressive, powerfully-armed ships. Some, mounting 15 cm (5.9 inch!) guns definitely outgunned (two) 4.5"-armed British light and (several) converted 4"-gun antiaircraft cruisers, though the types never met in battle.  As with other German very-high-pressure-steam ships, DKM destroyers suffered severe powerplant reliability problems, limiting unrestricted employment. Kriegsmarine DDs would have been at a nasty disadvantage in a high-aerial-threat environment (read: the Med or Pacific), as their main armament and fire control was not truly dual-purpose.

Most of the WW II German surface navy spent the vast majority of its service life in port, though statistically, this was less true for the destroyers than large DKM units. Compare that concept to American DDs in the Pacific being at sea with the fast carriers for months and months at a time, or British DDs in the Atlantic, crossing the Codfish Pond with a convoy, refueling, picking up another convoy, crossing again...and again...and again.  Interestingly, perhaps the most important mission Kriegsmarine destroyers performed was helping evacuate tens of thousands of soldiers and East Prussian populace, under artillery fire and aerial attack by advancing Soviets, in the European War's waning hours. No doubt those rescued remember the type and courageous DKM sailors fondly.

While serious students and DKM enthusiasts will want "more," Osprey's German Destroyers 1939-45 provides welcome, excellent value on a largely un-covered subject for its $14.95 cover price.

Highly recommended for WW II naval people or even figure, airplane or vehicle folks looking for something a bit off the usual shipping lane.

Minimally, there are 1/700 Matchbox and 1/400 Heller plastic kits of German WWII destroyers, but the subject is not as well covered as...for example...the Bismarck. Rather a pity....

Review copy courtesy of the reviewer's chequebook, purchased at Prosek's Greenhouse and Military Hobby Shop, Winfield, IL, USA.

For Scott Van Aken's Modeling Madness review of James Hood's novel,
 Adventure--Into The Neverland, go to:  http://users3.ev1.net/~bjmonkeyandcj/James_Hood.htm

March 2005

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