What do you think?
Rate this book
Hitler's Secret Commandos: Operations of the K-Verband
Hitler's Secret Commandos is the history of the K-Verband naval commando unit, established in 1943 to reek havoc amongst invading allied forces involved in amphibious landings or actions, against German-occupied coasts.
Following the Italian and British example, the basic idea was for a small, exceptionally well-trained and absolutely reliable commando force using the maximum element of surprise. Midget U-boats, and small torpedo-carrying craft along the lines of the "explosive boats" used by the Italian Navy, were designed for individual operations while a naval assault troop was formed for missions against important enemy operational targets near the sea after being landed from naval vessels offshore.
Using German archive material, first-hand accounts and other published material this is the first comprehensive history of the K-Verband. It charts the development, structure, selection, training and equipment the Commando unit used together with a detailed narrative of the operations undertaken.
The material has been translated from a German text, previously published in Germany with wide acclaim.
Following the Italian and British example, the basic idea was for a small, exceptionally well-trained and absolutely reliable commando force using the maximum element of surprise. Midget U-boats, and small torpedo-carrying craft along the lines of the "explosive boats" used by the Italian Navy, were designed for individual operations while a naval assault troop was formed for missions against important enemy operational targets near the sea after being landed from naval vessels offshore.
Using German archive material, first-hand accounts and other published material this is the first comprehensive history of the K-Verband. It charts the development, structure, selection, training and equipment the Commando unit used together with a detailed narrative of the operations undertaken.
The material has been translated from a German text, previously published in Germany with wide acclaim.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 8, 2023
it for Everyone
Hitler’s Secret Commandos is not a book for the casual reader. Blocksdorf has done his research and includes most if not all in this volume. He truly provides an historical background that includes names of outfits, commanders, officers, enlisted men and rundowns of several missions. And in addition no outfit was overly successful. The K-Verband was not instigated until late in the war, and I think usually as an unsuccessful stop gap. A big yes for the researcher or historian. A big No for the casual reader or searcher of war stories.
Hitler’s Secret Commandos is not a book for the casual reader. Blocksdorf has done his research and includes most if not all in this volume. He truly provides an historical background that includes names of outfits, commanders, officers, enlisted men and rundowns of several missions. And in addition no outfit was overly successful. The K-Verband was not instigated until late in the war, and I think usually as an unsuccessful stop gap. A big yes for the researcher or historian. A big No for the casual reader or searcher of war stories.
May 9, 2016
A bit dry, but nevertheless some very interesting insights into a little know branch of the German war machine.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews