From Baird Maritime:
Your reviewer has discussed the German S-Boats, or E-Boats as the British called them, with a number of wartime commanding officers of Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boats and Motor Gunboats. The general consensus was that they wished their boats had been as good.
What they were most envious of was the German boats' diesel engines for their safety, greater reliability and longer range than the British petrol engines. They also liked the more seaworthy hull shapes of the German craft.
The fact is that the originally unwanted – by the German high command – Schnellboots, turned out to be highly useful and effective contributors. They also contributed to many significant advances that are now taken for granted in fast patrol and attack craft and in fast ferries.
That they were commanded and crewed by buccaneering types contributed to their image. As this book points out, and as many Allied histories agree, they were not used to best advantage. The conservatism of Germany's admirals and their high command was the main reason for this.
Luckily for the Allies, this was the case. If their crews had been unleashed in the ways they had hoped, these fine craft would have done far more damage.
Well researched, well illustrated and written. A very valuable history of a very influential vessel type.
Ordering Information:
Seaforth Publishing Barnsley, UK Web: www.seaforthpublishing.com
