Military Model Scene

Title: Submarines of World War Two

Author: Erminio Bagnasco

Publisher: Seaforth Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-5267-4453-1

​

This is a new edition of the book which was originally published back in 1977 by Arms & Armour Press. It covers all the submarines which were operated during WW2, from all those nations who used them.  For each type you get the design and development details, and a summary of their during the war. 

After an introduction which explains the background to submarine development, this 284 page hardback is divided by nationality, and sub-divided by type.  The countries featured are France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, the USA and USSR.  It is finished off with a section on The Lesser Powers, and interestingly these include Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Yugoslavia and some Neutral Navies.

The sheer number of submarine types, including midgets and those foreign/captured examples which were used by the various navies is quite eye opening. Over 2500 vessels are included.  A host of data tables, providing specifications, eventual fate and career highlight are featured, along with a host of archive photos and line drawings which help illustrate the text.

This latest edition is revised with some new photos make this a welcome return, something of a classic reference resource for anyone interested in submarines and their history in WW2. A must I think for anyone with a historical interest in submarines.

 

Thanks to Pen and Sword for this review copy.

​

Robin