Kriegsmarine Coastal Forces

While the 'pocket battleships' and U-boats attract much of the attention paid to the wartime German Navy, the coastal and support branches represented by far the greater number of vessels and men, and the great majority of sea-duty. This book describes the most important of these neglected minor warships - the characteristics, organization, deployment and war service of minesweepers, patrol and escort craft and torpedo boats; but also the vital fleet auxiliary supply ships such as the famous Altmark, ccomodation ships such as the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff, the depot tenders for U- and S-boat flotillas, and even the majestic pre-war sail training vessels.