BATTLESHIP TIRPITZ

by Gerhard Koop & Klaus-Peter Schmolke

First published in Germany as
'Vom Originale zum modell: Schlatschiff Tirpitz'

First published in Britian by
Conway Maritime Press

Military Book Club
Doubleday Direct,
1540 Broadway
New York, NY 10036

by Bob Pearson

The last of the German battleships and destined to spend most of her short life as the 'lonely queen of the north', Tirpitz was the most feared of the German capital ships. Ironically she was to fire her big guns but once in anger – and not at an enemy ship, but at the island of Spitzbergen.

Laid down on 2 November 1936, launched 1 April 1939 and commissioned on 25 February 1941, Tirpitz worked up at Kiel and Gotenhafen. In September she spent some time in the Baltic before returning to the North Sea in January 1942 and then transferring to Norway in March. In September 1943 she took part in Operation Sizilien, the bombardment of Spitzbergen. Later that month she was damaged by British X-Craft (mini-subs). 1944 found her under frequent air attacks by the RAF and FAA before ultimately succumbing to the Lancasters of Nos. 617 and 9 Sqns RAF on 12 November 1944 with heavy loss of life when many were trapped in the capsized hull.

This volume follows that same format as the authors' earlier Battleship Scharnhorst, beginning with a short history followed by 43 photos of the real thing. There is then a section on the camouflage schemes worn, with b/w drawings showing three different patterns. The next portion of the book is devoted to a magnificent 1/100 scale model built by Mr. W Fraider. This is shown in 13 photos. Finally there are eight plates of plans. The text says they are to 1/300 scale, but obviously they are much smaller . . . perhaps 1/1200 scale.

Conclusion

All in all a nice volume showing an almost mythical ship in detail. Amazon.com has it available for around $8 . . . much less then the $30 (Cdn) that the MBC asks . . wish I had known that first :-(