It's hard to believe that John Baxter is already up to his third book set  in an alternate history where the Germans have been much more successful in WW2 than reality. The first book of stories concerned Luftwaffe operations  and drew heavily on information to do with Luftwaffe 46 planes ie those planes on the drawing boards but not actually used in WW2 . His second book of stories covered Kriegsmarine operations where the use of carriers was  much greater and a combination of captured French vessels and greater shipbuilding contributed to a stronger force to use in operations . Both  books covered the operational side of things with all sorts of different missions being flown .

I enjoyed both books immensely , so much so that I was looking forward to  getting my hands on the next one .
This book though takes a slightly different tack to the others . Instead of stories it is a technical manual . It is an analysis of Kriegsmarine carrier operations written as if this were reality. It's the sort of book that Bill Gunston , Chris Chant etc might have written . Because it is a technical manual it is somewhat drier in parts but many great modelling ideas come through.
The book starts with an alternative history including a section on Kreigsmarine carrier doctrine followed by 25 pages describing all the sorts of aircraft used. The next 8 pages cover L46 type naval weapons including the bombentorpedos and developments of the Hs 293 - plenty to drool over here. This is followed by radar and the AA defences including the See Fohn which is illustrated nicely . The Fohn was the missile to be used in the front of the Bachem Natter.

The next 16 pages cover histories of various carrier and Naval Air Base units . Personally the bit on marking codes was a bit boring but the histories give you a greater rationale for any marking choices you may like to make on a L46 carrier aircraft . Wedged into this section is 8 pages of lovely colour profiles covering 31 different aircraft . These are backed later by 3 pages of explanations on the unit codes and camouflage .

Thirty pages are devoted to the various classes of carriers , each class have a top and side view . Included with this are histories of each carrier and it's fate . These are very good with the information having the feel of reality , some carriers are pensioned off , scrapped , turned into training ships , sunk , damaged , refitted etc. Others soldier on and fight various
actions adding to the history feel . The last few pages are rounded out with appendices and a large  bibliography. Also scattered through the book are various a/c side views.

Having finished this book over a month ago I've had more time to savour it's feel . It is a technical book and does not read as easy as his previous efforts but read as a technical book it does a very good job. The level of detail is quite fantastic , each plane and ship type is considered in detail. A quick example is say the Ju 87 which lists number built for the Kriegsmarine , later conversion with sea search radar for some which had canvas curtains fitted to make the radar easier to view , adding of drop tanks and racks for 4 50kg bombs and upgraded cannon armament . If you just bought this book to build say half a dozen K46 models then it would be money well spent. The illustrations and technical info are not collected anywhere else and are invaluable .

The other people this book should appeal to is carrier a/c enthusiasts , both modelling and historical . There is so much info in here on carrier operations and doctrine that this would make a great read.

If this book takes your fancy then contact John Baxter at jjbaxter@techinfo.com.au as I can thoroughly recommend it. Now if I could just find that BV P196 from Planet I could get started.

Review copy courtesy of the author.

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