The Ship Model Forum

All the Koop & Schmolke books have been translated into english, though not all are in print but I've managed to collect a full set.

Here's the UK Publishers website with the books in question on there:-

http://www.greenhillbooks.com/

Just click Naval in the drop menu.
They all come highly recommended!

Regards
Laurence

In German there is the series of books by Koop & Schmolke, but I'm not sure how many have been translated into English.
They all have the same general contents structure of : general description, construction, armour, armaments etc.
There are also plans and photographs, and each vessel is given a history.

Another source for Bismark/Tirpitz is the AJ-Press 5 (!) part series, lots of plans, drawings and photos. the only problem being that itrs all in Polish !.

thats all I can come up with at the moment.

Terry

That's a shame (and the covers look so nice), I already have more than enough books about campaigns & engagements, not about to spend 50 quid on some more.

So are there any comprehensive books on all the KM big warships (Bismarck-class down to Deutschland-class) that give technical details, photos, operational histories etc?

as Laurence says, they are compilations of WWII RN actions, with an introduction by Eric Grove.

They are reprints of the Whitehall Naval Staff Histories written during or just after the war.
As such they are a useful history, with many maps (some seen before) and details of the ships taking part in each of the actions discussed.
but, there are few photographs and most are already well known from other books.
They are not cheap but well printed.

In general a good read, but not necessarily value for money.

In the same series are : the Evacuation from Dunkirk,
Norway 1940
Operations in the Mediterranean (2 Vols)


Terry Pottle

Hamburg

I had 1 of those books I think Eric Grove is the author?

I sold it as it had very little on the ships in question and was more a wartime record of the movements, engagements etc i.e. an operational history.

I seem to remember they had numberous maps and tactical drawings but I sold my copy as it wasnt what I was expecting! But if your after certain information about ceratin battles then the books would be ideal!

Regards
Laurence

Has anybody read or seen a copy of:
German Capital Ships and Raiders of World War II: From "Graf Spee" to the "Bismarck" v. 1
&
German Capital Ships and Raiders of World War II: From "Scharnhorst" to "Tirpitz" 1942-1944 v. 2
?

They look good...I'm thinking of getting them