Schlachtschiff Tirpitz Vol. I

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from P. Parker on May 5th, 2014

Since I’m a big fan of everything with big guns, I jumped in the middle and ordered this new book. There are not too many good books about the mightiest German WWII battlewagon out there, but since its story had always fascinated me, I gave it a try. 

First of all, the book is a pictorial, meaning that it tells the story of the vessel by means of photos. Well, since we all know the works of Wiper, Peillard, Koop, Brown, Brenneke and Asmussen – just to name a few – I did not really expect something new. So I flipped through the pages quite fast, but as soon as I realized that the few photos I already knew where captioned with much more information than what is known from other sources, I put the book away and gave it a closer look the next evening. My plan was to compare it to the Tirpitz books I have on my shelf and to information from various English online sources. This plan failed, because the new book uses about 300 photos to tell the story of the ship from the construction (started 1936) to its first stay in Gotenhafen (May 1941). The other sources – in average – cover this time frame with just a couple of pages or photos, and with even less or doubtful wishy-washy information.

Now, for example, who needs so many photos showing the ship being moved from one basin to another within the port of Wilhelmshaven? This is quite an unimportant and less glamorous part of a battleship’s life, but the real treasure behind it lies in the information provided in the captions. Study them carefully, and with the help of the accompanying maps everything comes together. This, plus the sheer amount of never-published photos, makes it so valuable. To be honest, I liked the parts of the book showing the completed ship and its movements. I never knew that it ran aground after leaving Wilhelmshaven (twice; shortly after departure, then in Kiel Canal).

There are bits and pieces for everyone:

for the people living in the northern parts of Germany (or the Allies staying there after the war, looking at previous (or still present!) buildings and streets/names);

for those who always wanted to know what other vessels are visible in those (few known) photos;

for the brave RAF pilots, who flew recon- and attack missions against German ports very early in the war;

for those interested in fitting-out stages (great 3D-images), for model builders (colorful camouflage schemes);

for those interested in the life on board (some rare inside photos);

for those interested in the floatplanes (how the heck did they move a plane from the catapult to the hangar and back?); and the list goes on.

There is no knowledge of German language required; about 99% of the book has been translated into English. Those who wonder about the numerous names of places kept in the original language will find their way through the maps provided. Only the list of German abbreviations may remain impossible to decrypt.

I highly recommend this book, and I’m really looking forward to receiving future volumes. The authors raised the bar, set a new standard, and if they continue their work like this, I expect about four volumes in total. I assume, since the story of the Tirpitz got more interesting (how inappropriate this sounds) through the course of the war, future volumes will be even better. At least the teaser for Vol. II is very promising…

from Bill Pollock on January 15th, 2015

“What a wonderful book. Fantastic, wonderful work. Well set out and oh so much information. You have raised the bench mark to new heights.

So very very happy. Book arrived safe and sound. I look forward to the second part.”

from James Stewart on May 30th, 2018

I recieved the three Tirpitz books on Monday and have to say absolutely worth buying. I was told I would not be disappointed and these words have been proved true.
There are so many photos I have not seen before and the art work – well the first really good WW2 art work I saw and loved was that in the late 1960’s history by Prunnell’s and the IWM (“History of the Second World War”). the art work in each of the three volumes is simply 1st Class.
I put off buying any of these books , always had a mind to get them but never seemed to get around to it so I “bite the bullet” and bought all three – no regrets at all.
The books impress at all levels.
In quality of production , information, photographic content , art work, maps and diagrams all show a degree of thought as to presentation, context and I dare say the selection of high quality images used.
Tirpitz would be a ship I would have a general knowledge of and I would never have professed more than this so buying the three books was a good decision on my part and having spent a while with them I know I have have had good value for money.
What has been really nice are the series of “Then and Now” images and related diagrams which really great .
The build of the books – have to say that the authors set a high standard and the publishers did not let them down in achieving it.
The size of the books, quality of paper, clarity of images (pin sharp) , binding is tight and font size is excellent.
really glad I invested in these three books and look forward to Volume IV in due course – I will not wait as long to buy it .
I do hope the final volume will cover the post war fate of the Tirpitz and the sad fate of many of the men who died in her.
If you have not yet seen the authors books I can only recommend them, my turn to say ” you will not be disappointed”.
It is worth mentioning the great trouble the authors have gone to in researching and in documenting the history of the ship – travelling to Norway – exploring the Fjords finding and mapping locations – no one could say Robert & Antonio have not done their homework.