FriedlandUK | 05 Jun 2015 12:44 p.m. PST |
Hi Folks, Can anyone suggest any books on the Soviet Navy in WW2? I'm thinking here of a broad overview with tactical developments, battles and maybe eyewitness stuff. Although a good one on ship types etc would also be useful. Thanks in advance. M. |
dragon6 | 05 Jun 2015 1:59 p.m. PST |
I'm sorry I can't suggest any books but most of the action takes place in the Black Sea. Originally around Odessa and progressing back toward the Crimea as the Germans advance The Germans dominate the Baltic until late when Soviet submarines begin to be effective. I would look for books on the Black Sea action, much more of it and for a much longer period |
StephenF | 05 Jun 2015 5:03 p.m. PST |
Soviet Naval Operations in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 by V.I. Achkasov and N.B. Pavlovich – published by Naval Institute Press is an English translation of a 1970's era Soviet publication – provides a basic overview. |
Bellbottom | 05 Jun 2015 5:14 p.m. PST |
Ian Allen publishers did two in the 60's/70's you might be able to pick up second hand. One on Battleships and cruisers and one on everything else |
Mark 1 | 05 Jun 2015 6:09 p.m. PST |
I suggest "Raising the Red Banner: The pictoral history of Stalin's Fleet" by Yakubov and Worth. link It covers the ships of the Soviet navy up to WW2 better than any other book I have seen in the English language. Many pics out of the former Soviet archives that have not been seen before. Great for the ships. But unhappily I have no equivalent recommendation for the operational history. Also Worth's "Fleets of WW2" is an excellent view of all the fleets involved. link Both are must-have's for the WW2 naval enthusiast's library. -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
tuscaloosa | 05 Jun 2015 7:59 p.m. PST |
I second Stephen's recommendation of "Soviet Naval Operations…" A great operational view of how ops were conducted with lots of detail, although it suffers a bit from Stalinspeak. |
Martin Rapier | 06 Jun 2015 5:52 a.m. PST |
There is a very decent chapter on the naval war on the Eastern Front in Albert Seatons 'The Russo-German War 1941-45'. |
ptdockyard | 07 Jun 2015 6:36 a.m. PST |
Also try Friedrich Ruge's "The Soviets as Naval Opponents 1941-45." Good insight and relatively cheap. Check out the Axis History forums as well: link Also the Finnish branch of this site: link The Soviet naval war was mostly a mosquito war of small craft. |
FriedlandUK | 07 Jun 2015 2:33 p.m. PST |
Thanks Guys! Lots of stuff to consider there. The Axis History Forum looks very useful too. If there are any other book suggestions, please keep sending them in! |
ptdockyard | 07 Jun 2015 7:25 p.m. PST |
My favorite is "Suomen Laivasto sodassa 1939-194"5 – the Finnish Navy at War. Has an excellent English summary and lots of detail on actions, especially the smaller ones. Unfortunately not easy to find but can be found on interlibrary loan. Dave G The PT Dockyard ptdockyard.com |
Blutarski | 08 Jun 2015 3:19 a.m. PST |
Soviet Warship Development 1917-1937, Vol 1, by Siegfried Breyer. I believe there is a Vol 2, but I do not own it. B |
ptdockyard | 08 Jun 2015 7:43 p.m. PST |
Volume 2 was never published. Dave |