The Milk Cow
The U Boat Tanker at War 1941-1945
John F WhiteFound in: World War II Books
Maritime History Books
Hardback
ISBN: 9781848840089
Published: 18 June 2009
was £19.99
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During the Second World War the Germans developed a specially adapted U-boat oil tanker with two aims. First, by refuelling the attack U-boat fleet their range of operations and duration of patrol could be significantly increased. Secondly, these underwater tankers were far more likely to avoid detection than surface support ships.
The submarine tankers, affectionately known as 'Milk Cows', were regarded by both the Germans and the Allies as the most important element of the U-boat fleet. Allied forces had orders to attack the tankers first whenever a choice was presented.
Until late 1942 the German Milk Cows operated with great success and few losses. But from 1943 onwards the German rendezvous ciphers were repeatedly broken by the Allies and losses mounted rapidly. The Milk Cows were highly vulnerable during the lengthy refuelling procedure as they lay stationary on the surface, hatches open. By the end of the war virtually every tanker had been sunk with severe loss of life.
The story of this critical campaign has been thoroughly researched by the author and is told against the background of changing U-boat fortunes.
The submarine tankers, affectionately known as 'Milk Cows', were regarded by both the Germans and the Allies as the most important element of the U-boat fleet. Allied forces had orders to attack the tankers first whenever a choice was presented.
Until late 1942 the German Milk Cows operated with great success and few losses. But from 1943 onwards the German rendezvous ciphers were repeatedly broken by the Allies and losses mounted rapidly. The Milk Cows were highly vulnerable during the lengthy refuelling procedure as they lay stationary on the surface, hatches open. By the end of the war virtually every tanker had been sunk with severe loss of life.
The story of this critical campaign has been thoroughly researched by the author and is told against the background of changing U-boat fortunes.
Product Reviews
Readers will be fascinated not just by the mainstream replenishment work but by also by the book's accounts of German submarine operations far afield, including the interface with the Japanese, liaison with whom was a significant U-boat activity. Penang in Malaya and Tjikopo in the Dutch East Indies were important, if unlikely, U-Boat bases.
This is a most worthwhile book and a most worthy addition to the literature on the U-boat war.
This is a most worthwhile book and a most worthy addition to the literature on the U-boat war.
Navy News
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