Milk Cows: The U-boat Tankers at War 1941 u 1945 by John F White

Milk Cows: The U-boat Tankers at War 1941 u 1945 by John F White

During the Second World War the Germans developed a specially adapted U-boat oil tanker with two aims. First, by refuelling the attack U-boat fleet their range of operations and duration of patrol could be significantly increased. Secondly, these underwater tankers were far more likely to avoid detection than surface support ships.The submarine tankers, affectionately known as 'Milk Cows', were regarded by both the Germans and the Allies as the most important element of the U-boat fleet. Allied forces had orders to attack the tankers first whenever a choice was presented.Until late 1942 the German Milk Cows operated with great success and few losses. But from 1943 onwards the German rendezvous ciphers were repeatedly broken by the Allies and losses mounted rapidly. The Milk Cows were highly vulnerable during the lengthy refuelling procedure as they lay stationary on the surface, hatches open. By the end of the war virtually every tanker had been sunk with severe loss of life.The story of this critical campaign has been thoroughly researched by the author and is told against the background of changing U-boat fortunes.

White, John F.: - John F White is an author and a historian.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781848840089
ISBN 10	184884008X
Title	Milk Cows: The U-boat Tankers at War 1941 u 1945
Author	John F White
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Year published	2009-11-20
Number of pages	272
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.