Type XXI U-Boat (Anatomy of the Ship) [Hardcover]

Fritz Kohl (Author), Eberhard Rossler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002 | Series: Anatomy of the Ship

The design of the Type XXI U-boat was a radical step in the history of submarine development; indeed, the vessel could be said to have been the prototype of the modern conventionally powered submarine. After the disastrous losses among conventional submarines during the early months of 1943, the German authorities concluded that the older boats, Types VII, IXC and IXD, were no match for Allied ASW techniques. The Type XXI design was the response to the deteriorating situation and the first boats were launched in the spring of 1944 only nine months after the initial presentation of the designs. These remarkable vessels incorporated a number of bold innovations including the schnorkel, which allowed it to run fast underwater employing its diesel machinery, and automatic torpedo reloading systems; and never before had such large and complex warships been built using standardised, prefabricated sections. The type was a new and menacing weapon which might have had a profound effect on the conduct of the war had it been introduced earlier. The 'Anatomy of the Ship' series aims to provide the finest documentation of individual ships and ship types ever published. What makes the series unique is a complete set of superbly executed line drawings, both the conventional type of plan as well as explanatory views, with fully descriptive keys. These are supported by technical details and a record of the ship's service history.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fritz Kohl served in the U-boats during the Second World War and then trained as a technical draughtsman. His reconstructions of builder's drawings led to collaboration with Eberhard Rossler, probably the world's leading authority on the history of German submarine development. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press; Revised edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591148871
• ISBN-13: 978-1591148876
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,689,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to have if you are to build a model of XXI, February 19, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Type XXI U-Boat (Anatomy of the Ship) (Hardcover)

I found this book to be not as good as I had expected. I am not saying that it is bad. It is a very good book to have on the XXI.

I am an Engineer by trade, a history buff and modeller by choice.

As an Engineer this book was a bit of a let down.
As a history buff, on a very focused topic, it was good.
As a modeller (RC submarines) it was excellent.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The birth of the modern Submarine, August 21, 2001

By 

Robert Lester (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Type XXI U-Boat (Anatomy of the Ship Series) (Hardcover)

The first in the series not to be written specifically as an 'Anatomy' Volume, but a translation of another language (German). A relevant language considering Kohl served on U-boats and a gifted artist, and Rossler a historian. I won't go into the history of the whole u-boat war as this book doesn't, read the two volume history of the U-Boat war by Blair Clay Jr. for true insight.

This volume covers a basic history, but unlike the usual volumes, does not contain the technical data one would expect and has a somewhat melencoly presentation of a great weapon that was never given it's opportunity to shine as a comerce raider against unarmed merchantmen. A great deal of time and photos are dedicated to bomb damage to construction yards and unfinished u-boats by US and UK bombers.

The line drawings are as usual excellent, and one is somewhat disappointed by the lack of overall expertise in presentation we expect from this wonderful series. In all, a good buy as a collectable, but if you are not, get a cheaper option.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to have if you are to build a model of XXI, February 19, 2004

By 

Nicholas Kefalas (Milford, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Type XXI U-Boat (Anatomy of the Ship) (Hardcover)

I found this book to be not as good as I had expected. I am not saying that it is bad. It is a very good book to have on the XXI.

I am an Engineer by trade, a history buff and modeller by choice.

As an Engineer this book was a bit of a let down.
As a history buff, on a very focused topic, it was good.
As a modeller (RC submarines) it was excellent.