The Sinking of the Blücher

"The Battle of Drobak Sound, April 1940"

  • Subject: Spring 2023 Catalog | World War II
  • Format:
    Hardcover
  • Pages:
    320
    pages
  • Illustrations:
    200 b/w photos
  • Published:
    May 15, 2023
  • ISBN-10:
    1784388750
  • ISBN-13:
    9781784388751
  • Product Dimensions:
    9.21 × 6.14 × 1 in
  • Product Weight:
    38 oz
Hardcover $55.00
Member Price $33.00 Save 40%
Book: Cover Type

Overview

A lesser-known event during World War II, the sinking of the Blücher is key part of naval history that marked the beginning of the Norwegian Campaign. The Sinking of the Blücher is a comprehensive investigation into why the German cruiser, named for Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (Prussian victor of the Battle of Waterloo), was approaching Oslo on the night of 9th April 1940, why and how she was sunk and the ramifications and significance of the event. The book also explores the influence of the British government and military on the reasons behind Operation Weserübung, the German invasion of Norway.

This book is a methodical, unbiased compilation of primary sources and archival material. It details the sequence of events leading to the sinking of the Blücher, the flagship of the force that was to seize Oslo, from setting sail for Norway, to evading British submarines in the Skagerrak, and finally sinking to the bottom of the Drøbak Narrows after being struck by Oscarsborg fortress gunfire and torpedoes. The text, which connects intricate accounts of the attacks, paints a picture of the sinking and explains the politics behind the military operations, and the result of the sinking which enabled King Haakon and his government to escape to Britain, join the Allies and continue the resistance from there. Simultaneously, the primary source material individualizes the sailors and military personnel involved in the sinking from both sides. The writing is accompanied by multiple maps and two hundred stunning, photographs, many never-before-seen.

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

“The definitive study of the battle that launched Hitler’s conquest of Western Europe.” —Professor Andrew Lambert, King’s College London

"The narrative is incredibly fact-filled and detailed, and includes quotations from the diaries of combatants who participated in the military or diplomatic events. The use of primary sources in multiple languages provides a comprehensive assessment. The excellent maps provide scales of miles or kilometers and are clear, uncluttered renditions of the regional geography and chart the tracks of the naval vessels." —Sea History