Kriegsmarine Atlantic Command 1939-42

This book delves into Kriegsmarine specialist Lawrence Paterson's exploration of how Naval Group West, under Marinegruppenkommando West, took on the challenge of challenging Allied dominance of the Atlantic. It reassesses the fleet's qualities and their original role, examining how confusion led to the Bismarck being less than ideal for raiding. The book also explains the complex Kriegsmarine command structure during the 1930s and early war, as well as the vital role of Germany's superb signals intelligence and tanker and supply network in operating as far as the Indian Ocean. Additionally, it highlights the failures of the Luftwaffe in scouting at sea and defending the surface fleet in port. With superb artwork, 3D diagrams, maps, and archive photos, this book delves into and analyzes Germany's commerce war, from the Graf Spee's cruise to the ill-fated exploits of Bismarck, and the final high-risk retreat from Brest, the Channel