First U-Boat Flotilla

Formed in 1935, 1st U-Boat Flotilla operated against Hitler’s enemies from the very earliest stage of the War through to September 1944 when disbanded amid the flames of Brest (its operating base) during the US siege. Many of the top German naval figures feature in this authoritative history including Karl Donitz, Otto Kretschemmer, Joachim Schepke and Erich Topp. The Flotilla took part in most major operations; the invasions of Norway, Belgium and France and the all-important Battle of the Atlantic. Over 75% of operational U-Boats were lost as the Allies’ counter-measures and code-breaking successes took ever greater effect. This fascinating work records the Flotilla’s successes and disasters in detail. AUTHOR: Lawrence Patterson is an avid underwater diver whose interest in the U-boat war stems from having lived in France close to the Brest U-boat bunkers. He became President of the Brittany Marine Research Society dedicated to the discovery and survey of WW2 wrecks. Now living in Portsmouth he is a member of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum’s Archive Group specialising in U-boat and Kriegsmarine research. He is married to Sarah Burbridge, the submarine author.