The Hunt for Hitler’s Warship

Aviation historian Bishop (Bomber Boys) relies on archival data and interviews to turn the story of the German battleship Tirpitz—from its launch in April 1939 to its sinking in November 1944—into a compelling WWII story. Though the Bismarck’s sister ship never engaged in any significant combat action, it played a crucial role in the naval strategy of the Battle of the Atlantic and efforts to send supplies to Russia through the Arctic. Bishop provides an evenhanded account of German operations, but his main focus is on British efforts to counter the threat posed by the swift, heavy, and lethal Tirpitz. These ranged from a fantastic manned-torpedo operation, to stealthy midget submarine attacks, and included numerous aerial assaults. When the Tirpitz finally succumbed to an air attack using a new superpowerful bomb, the ship’s end is poignant but anti-climactic—Churchill hears about it in newly liberated Paris, and the end of the war is only months away. Still, Bishop’s take on an oft-forgotten instrument of Hitler’s formidable war machine is an enjoyable and fast-paced read. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management. (Apr. 8)