Description
The Kaiser’s Pirates: Hunting Germany’s Raiding Cruisers 1914–1915
By Nick Hewitt. This is a dramatic and little-known story of the First World War, when the actions of a few bold men shaped the fate of nations.
By 1914 Germany had ships and sailors scattered across the globe, protecting its overseas colonies and showing the flag of its new Imperial Navy. After war broke out, there was no hope that they could reach home. Instead, they were ordered to attack Britain’s vital trade routes for as long as possible.
Under the leadership of a few brilliant, audacious men, Germany unleashed a series of raids that threatened Britain’s war effort and challenged the power and prestige of the Royal Navy.
The next year saw a battle of wits which stretched across the world, drawing in ships and men from six empires. By the end, “the Kaiser’s Pirates” were no more, and Britain once again ruled the waves.
The author, Nick Hewitt, worked as an historian for Imperial War Museums and is a member of the Society for Nautical Research. Hewitt has contributed to numerous publications, and his first book, Coastal Convoys, was published in 2008.
Hardback, 256 pages, 25 illustrations
