First edition.

ix, 322 pages, 8 unnumbered leaves of unnumbered plates : illustrations, maps ; 23 cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"The sea had become a mass grave by 1941 as Hitler's four capital warships--Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Tirpitz, and Bismarck, the largest warship on the ocean--roamed the wind-swept waves, threatening the Allied war effort and sending thousands of men to the icy depths of the North Atlantic. Bristling with guns and steeled in heavy armor, these reapers of the sea could outrun and outgun any battleship in the Allied arsenal. The deadly menace kept Winston Churchill awake at night he deemed them "targets of supreme consequence." The campaign against Hitler's surface fleet would continue into the dying days of World War II and involve everything from massive warships engaged in bloody, fire-drenched battle to daring commando raids in German occupied harbors. This is the fast-paced story of the Allied bomber crews, brave sailors, and bold commandos who "sunk the Bismarck" and won a hard-fought victory over Hitler's iron sea. Using official war diaries, combat reports, eyewitness accounts and personal letters, Simon Read brings the action and adventure to vivid life. The result is an enthralling and gripping story of the Allied heroes who fought on a watery battlefield"-- Provided by publisher.

Prologue: The killing seas -- In search of prey -- Cataclysm -- The hunted -- Avenged -- Cerberus -- Chariot -- Dogs of war -- Leath passage -- Arctic fire -- Target: Tirpitz -- X-craft -- "Hell on earth" -- Return to Tirpitz -- Epilogue: The sea is a mass grave.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Atlantic Ocean.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations.

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations.

HISTORY / World.

Military campaigns.

Military operations, Aerial.

Military operations, Naval.

Atlantic Ocean.

World War (1939-1945)

1939-1945

How the Allies hunted and destroyed Hitler's warships

9780306921711 (hardcover)

0306921715 (hardcover)

9780306921704 (ebook)