"Steel Ships, Iron Crosses, and RefugeeS" documents the German
navy's role in the Baltic, including the final epic amphibious lift
in the Baltic and the world's two largest maritime disasters. The
small German Navy and Merchant Marines evacuated over 2,000,000
refugees, wounded, and troops by sea, without adequate air support
and while under Russian fire. During the evacuation, the torpedoing
of Wilhelm Gustaloff and GOYA alone resulted in the loss of 12,000
lives. The magnitude of the loss is overwhelming when compared to
Titanic (1,500 dead) and Lusitania (1,200 dead). Yet at the end,
one out of every 20 West Germans was free because of this effort.
Focusing our attention on a little known chapter of modern naval
history, this study demonstrates the critical role of sea power and
the interrelationship of navy and merchant marine. It also repeats
an oft-forgotten lesson on the special characteristics of inshore
waters and warfare.
Few people know of the Baltic Naval Campaign (1939-1945), which
culminated in the tremendous rescue operation that evacuated over
2,000,000 people ahead of the advancing Red Army. The Germans
suffered the two largest maritime disasters on record. The already
battered German navy was almost totally destroyed during this last
campaign. Suggesting that a knowledge of this great humanitarian
effort might balance our historical perspective, this volume also
reinforces many basic truths concerning the importance and use of
sea power.
General
Imprint: |
Praeger Publishers Inc
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
October 1989 |
First published: |
October 1989 |
Authors: |
Charles Koburger
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 156 x 11mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover
|
Pages: |
160 |
Edition: |
New |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-275-93260-2 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
0-275-93260-5 |
Barcode: |
9780275932602 |
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