German Battleships 1914–18 (1): Deutschland, Nassau and Helgoland classes (New Vanguard, 164)

I bought this book and it’s sequel after buying the same on the British side of things. However I was immediately disappointed in it. The entire thing reads like a list of bullet points instead an actual book and contains quite odd little quirks that throw you off, good luck finding the Michigan class battleship, a book for those dipping their toes into Naval History is not the place to debate the name of a pivotal ship class. Beyond that I had simple quality issues with the book, namely the fact that the paper for page 5-6 was flipped so I had to turn the page back and forth a couple times to follow the points.

Based on previous issues in this series, particularly 'German Battlecruisers 1914-18,' I had expected an excellent and well-illustrated compendium of the early WW1 German battleships. Unfortunately, this issue does not live up to my expectations! The illustrations are very sketchy and very poorly detailed, especially when compared with previous issues (why didn't Osprey retain Tony Bryan as illustrator??), and the text is not particularly informative either. Granted, the early German battleships didn't have particularly exciting careers, especially when compared with that of the battlecruisers, but still, they had a couple incidents of real interest. While the activities involved with Jutland (Skagerak) are well-known, a diagram or two of the relative positions of these ships in the various formations would have been of real benefit, as well as a more general discussion of the battle itself, and the specific roles for the 'Deutchland,' 'Nassau,' and 'Helgoland' classes would also have been even more relevant. Finally, there are several references to the role of these ships in saving Finland from communist take-over. As this is a little-known, yet important incident, I would have thought a single good description with a diagram and a map or two of this would have been really interesting, but instead, it is merely mentioned in passing under the individual ship histories. In sum, I cannot say this volume lives up to the previous 'German Battlecruisers' issue, and can only hope the second part on the later classes will be a better production altogether....

I am a model builder and the book as three view color pictures of each of the battleships mentioned on the cover. Definitely worth the price even though only three ships are covered, I plan to buy the sequel when it comes out. It is also great for someone who wants the story of German battlecruisers up to the year 1918. Well done Osprey and the book's illustrator Paul Wright, would love to see Osprey produce a book with nothing but color three view diagrams of all the 19-14-18 German battleships and battlecruisers in one or two volumes. Would pay four times more for that, maybe some day.

I'll cover both volume one and two here,as they are continuous and should be bought together.Mr. Staff has done a fine job in covering the Battleships of Imperial Germany,picking a start point with the Deutschlands as they were present at Jutland is good. Coverage of all classes is sufficient,and many photos are new to me,not even appearing in my German language references. I would have liked different artwork,but this is my taste,not really a criticism of Wright's approach. Some plan and elevation,detailed sketches would be nice,but perhaps outside the scope and size of the New Vanguard series.Certainly a great value for the money,and highly recommended for any WWI naval enthusiast,or perhaps someone just wanting a concise coverage of these magnificent warships.

This book contains an incredible amount of technical and operational information on these three classes of WW I German battleships. Although much of this information has previously been available in German language books this would appear to be the first time that is available in English.I could only find one error. On page 16 it is claimed that the first pre-dreadnought battleship to carry an "intermediate" battery of 8 to 10-in caliber guns was the Italian Regina Margheritta class of 1900 which carried four x 12-in and four x 8-in guns. In actuality, it could be said that the first such semi-dreadnoughts were the US Indiana class battleships of 1893 which carried four x 13-in and eight x 8-in guns

Gary Staff was an amazing author and expert on German Warships of WWI and these small reference books work great for quick hits of info and also come in handy for the modeler

Excellent technical information and fascinating service histories that cover little known Baltic Sea and coastal operations. A key shortcoming is the lack of background on German predreadnought design philosophy in the 1890's Wittelsbach and Kaiser classes, that presaged the Nassau class design philosophy to support a North Sea campaign.

Lots of useful details that are hard to come by in English, it helps to dispel certain myths and misconceptions regarding the High Seas Fleet and its ships by providing information on the rationale for their construction and design.I am very happy with the purchase of this 2-part title.Javier

Another very well produced, but pricey, Osprey product, with some very good and not often seen illustrations. Also very good detail on the materiel aspects of the ships. The problem is with the text which persistently genuflects to the old chestnut of the unsinkable German Battleship and an irritatingly simplistic assessment of the Battle of Jutland/Skaggerack. The author has writen much of interest, and has clearly researched the subject with great diligence, but too many of his conclusions sound like a repetition of fairly ancient propaganda releases. There is no mention of why and how the British and Germans built their ships to their specific designs, and what was the thinking behind this. Essentially, the German Navy needed to build a fleet to challenge British naval supremacy. The British needed to defend their position. Effectively, the German's needed an irrestistable force; the British, an immovable object. The German's built the immovable object, and it remained largely immovable in port throughout the war, especially after Jutland, and never seriously attempted to threaten British maritime supremacy.A good short read and very good on the ships themselves. However, the full sub-title of the book is 'The Deutschland, Nassau and Ostfriesland Classes'. As regards the 'Deutschland' class, it is a pity that their career appears to come to an abrupt end in 1918. You would have thought that, as the only surviving German battleships during the Weimar republic/early Nazi era, their subsequent history might have been given cursory mention. It was 'Schleswig-Holstein' after all that fired the first shots on Westerplatte that started the Second World War, and 'Schlesien' was the last German capital ship to remain in service until the very last hours of WW2.

Another excellent book from Osprey. Informative and interesting it contains many period black and white photographs and some very nice colour plates. Sold at a good price, well packaged and delivered by the date promised.

ok

Interessantissima la descrizione delle corazzate 'pre-dreadnough'. Soprattutto perchè ben poco noi profani conosciamo delle navi da guerra di quel periodo. È anche il momento,questo, che l' artiglieria navale raggiunge sviluppi impensabili 10 - 15 anni prima dove l' armamento principale aveva piú la forma di grossi obici che dei cannoni a noi piú noti. Un bravo all' autore!!!!!Galland5:-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-):-)

Come dicevo dal titolo, Osprey ha stampato questo titolo...potrei chiudere qui la recensione, vista da sempre l'alta qualità che i figli della perfida Albione mettono nelle loro opere.Questo pratico fascicolo raccogli schede esaustive, una "biografia" della nave in questione con i suoi maggiori successi o con i suoi insuccessi più eclatanti; il tutto sempre senza critiche giudicanti, ma con il solo intento di mettere sul piatto i pro e contro delle scelte fatte dalla HochSeeflotte durante la prima guerra mondiale.