Hitler's Secret Pirate Fleet: The Deadliest Ships of World War II - Hardcover

Duffy, James P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0275966852 ISBN 13: 9780275966850

Publisher: Praeger, 2001

Synopsis

They were the deadliest ships of World War II--nine German commerce raiders disguised as peaceful cargo ships, flying the flags of neutral and allied nations. In reality, these heavily armed warships roamed the world's oceans at will, like 20th-century pirates. They struck unsuspecting freighters and tankers out of the darkness of night or from behind a curtain of fog and mist. For almost three years they led the Royal Navy on a deadly chase from sea to sea, seeding Allied ports with hundreds of mines and, on one occasion, even bombarding a shore installation.

Masquerading as unarmed merchantmen, the raiders carried an awesome array of weapons cleverly hidden behind false structures and concealed inside empty packing crates on their decks. Seaplanes and motorboats helped them seek out their victims on the vast seas. They then fed off of these unsuspecting targets, pumping fuel from their prey into their own tanks and taking food from captured pantries to feed their own crews and the thousands of prisoners that they picked up along the way. These secret ships also acted as supply ships for U-boats, helping their fellow hunters remain at large for longer periods. At sea for months--or even years--those raider sailors lucky enough to survive were hailed as heroes when they returned home.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

THE 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION
"The Story of My Life, a remarkable account of overcoming the debilitating challenges of being both deaf and blind, has become an international classic, making Helen Keller one of the most well-known, inspirational figures in history. Originally published in 1903, Keller's fascinating memoir narrates the events of her life up to her third year at Radcliffe College.
Helen Keller's story of struggle and achievement is one of unquenchable hope. From tales of her difficult early days, to details of her relationship with her beloved teacher Anne Sullivan, to her impressions of academic life, Keller's honest, straightforward writing lends insight into an amazing mind. Like the original, this centenary edition of "The Story of My Life includes letters Keller wrote to friends throughout her childhood and adolescence that chronicle her intellectual and sensory progression, as well as assistant John Macy's commentary on her interpretations of her surroundings.
In addition to reprinting Keller's long-lost original work, this edition contains excerpts from her little-known, deeply personal memoir "The World We Live In, which give readers a detailed look into an otherwise unimaginable existence, as well as an excerpt from "Out of the Dark, a political commentary Keller wrote during her years as a socialist.
Deftly edited and prefaced by scholar James Berger, this comprehensive anniversary edition celebrates a century of readers' enthrallment with one of the most powerful figures in history.

About the Author:

JAMES P. DUFFY is a writer specializing in military history. He is the author of 12 books, including Hitler Slept Late and other Blunders that Cost Him the War (Praeger, 1991), The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: A Complete Book of Facts with Vincent L. Ricci (1992), Target Hitler: The Plots to Kill Adolf Hitler with Vincent L. Ricci (Praeger, 1992), Czars: Russias Rulers for Over One Thousand Years with Vincent L. Ricci (1995), and Lincolns Admiral: The Civil War Campaigns of David Farragut (1997). is a writer specializing in military history. He is the author of 12 books, including two on World War II and one on the American Civil War.

About this edition

• Publisher: Praeger
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0275966852
• ISBN 13: 9780275966850
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248