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False Flags: Disguised German Raiders of World War II Hardcover – August 15, 2016

by Stephen Robinson (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 60 ratings
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False Flags tells the epic untold story of German raider voyages to the South Seas during the early years of World War II. In 1940 the raiders Orion, Komet, Pinguin and Kormoran left Germany and waged a & pirate war' in the South Seas - part of Germany's strategy to attack the British Empire's maritime trade on a global scale. Their extraordinary voyages spanned the globe and are maritime sagas in the finest tradition of seafaring. The four raiders voyaged across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans as well as the Arctic and Antarctic. They sank or captured 62 ships in a forgotten naval war that is now being told in its entirety for the first time. The Orion and Komet terrorised the South Pacific and New Zealand waters before Pearl Harbor when the war was supposed to be far away. The Pinguin sank numerous Allied merchant ships in the Indian Ocean before mining the approaches to Australian ports and capturing the Norwegian whaling fleet in Antarctica. The Kormoran raided the Atlantic but will always be remembered for sinking the Australian cruiser Sydney off Western Australia, killing all 645 sailors on board in tragic circumstances. False Flags is also the story of the Allied sailors who encountered these raiders and fought suicidal battles against a superior foe as well as the men, women and children who endured captivity on board the raiders as prisoners of the Third Reich.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Exisle Publishing
  4. Publication date
    August 15, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781925335156
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1925335156
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

THE ORION

THE ORION

On 5 September 1939 the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg began converting the 7021-ton Hamburg-Amerika Line vessel Kurmark, officially depot vessel ‘Ship 36’, into an auxiliary cruiser. The freighter, built in 1930, had previously served on Hamburg-Amerika’s Far East routes.

The German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin, officially ‘Ship 33’ and formerly the Hansa Line

THE PINGUIN

In September 1939 the Hansa Line freighter Kandelfels, renamed ‘Ship 33’, proceeded to Bremen to be converted into a raider in the Weser shipyard. The 7766-ton modern vessel, built in 1936, had a two-deck cruiser stern and her high-endurance diesel turbines, which generated an impressive top speed of 17 knots, made her an ideal merchant raider.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Stephen Robinson brings alive the stories of the ships, the men and their victims. Drawing on a range of primary and secondary sources, Robinson engagingly tells the most complete story of these ships. False Flags sings with stories of the last age of independent action at sea, and in many cases of chivalry." - Gavin McLean, Senior Historian, New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage

"This is a book that works superbly on all levels -- giving both the admiralties' ocean-wide perspectives, as well as insight into the minds of the captains of the ships involved." - Prof. Peter Stanley, award-winning historian, UNSW Canberra

"Deception, violence and waste are the ingredients of war...Stephen Robinson's handsome, well documented book is full of events that illustrate this... Raiders were fighting ships disguised as merchantmen, crewed by trained naval seaman deeply committed to serving the German war effort. Like Caribbean pirates from the days of sail in some Boy's Own world, they masked their evil intent by sailing under assumed flags... before hoisting aloft the German Navy flag, like a modern day Skull and Cross Bones, and savaging an unwary prey."- The White Ensign - The Journal of the Naval Association of Australia

"A meticulously researched and fascinating history of a now largely forgotten aspect of World War II."- Australian National Maritime Association

About the Author

Stephen Robinson is the author of False Flags: Disguised German Raiders of World War II and Panzer Commander Hermann Balck: Germany's Master Tactician. He studied Asian history and politics at the University of Western Sydney, graduating with First Class Honours. He has worked at the Department of Veterans' Affairs researching British atomic weapons tests and as a policy officer in the Department of Defence. Stephen Robinson is an officer in the Australian Army Reserve and has served as an instructor at the Royal Military College. He also graduated from Australian Command and Staff College.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1925335151
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Exisle Publishing; 2nd edition (August 15, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781925335156
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925335156
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 60 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Robinson

Stephen Robinson

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Stephen Robinson is the author of 'False Flags: Disguised German Raiders of World War II', 'Panzer Commander Hermann Balck: Germany's Master Tactician' and 'The Blind Strategist: John Boyd and the American Art of War'. He studied Asian history and politics at the University of Western Sydney, graduating with First Class Honours. He has worked at the Department of Veterans' Affairs researching British atomic weapons tests and as a policy officer in the Department of Defence. Stephen Robinson is an officer in the Australian Army Reserve and has served as an instructor at the Royal Military College. He also graduated from Australian Command and Staff College.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
60 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kiwiwriter
5.0 out of 5 stars It is a brilliant, detailed
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
When you open this book, you might think...ah, this is the history of ALL the legendary disguised German merchant raiders of World War II, but it actually is a tight focus on four of the 16-odd merchant ships that were turned into auxiliary cruisers, specifically the Komet, Kormoran, Pinguin, and Orion, all of which created chaos in the oceans and waterways off of New Zealand and Australia. That's all right -- the book came from an Antipodean publisher, and the Antipodean focus is to be expected.

With that caveat in hand, the book is utterly fascinating. It is a brilliant, detailed, and highly-researched recounting of how the German raiders operated off of Australia and New Zealand, the damage they did, how they were sunk or otherwise disposed of, at the operational and human levels. It is not just "arrows on a map," it is a story of men of both sides pitting themselves against an unforgiving sea and enemy, with valor and humor. It shows the importance of individuals and teamwork to man ships in battle and dangerous weather, and also displays occasional glimpses of chivalry and humanity amid the squalor and horror of war.

Any serious student of World War II should read this fascinating story
10 people found this helpful
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Bruce McClain
5.0 out of 5 stars Survival in war at sea
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
I read the story of the most successful merchant raider Atlantis in my youth. This new book gave me an opportunity to learn about the exploits of four other raiders. Though their attacks on other ships were violent the captains of the raiders displayed some sense of humanity in the rescue and treatment of the survivors. This is not what you would expect from a crew fighting for Nazi Germany. Perhaps months at sea distant from Hitler's influence allowed their sympathy for their fellow seamen to be compelling. The adventures described in the book made for a very enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Jonathan Mattson
5.0 out of 5 stars Another valuable work on German Surface Raiders in WW2
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2018
Verified Purchase
First - does NOT cover all german surface raiders. It only covers a handful, but the ones that are covered are covered in great detail with wonderful maps. it is much more than a general overview of the raiders that are covered, but of course its not a huge personal narrative of the story of one raider like some other books. One thing that I really loved about this book, the account of the engagement with the Sydney. I felt like this was the first book that I've read that went into that much detail concerning the engagement with the kormoran.

The subject of the german surface raiders has always interested me and I found this book to be another fascinating read on the subject. Was not to introductory or patronizing and provided enough meat on the boats that are covered to make it a welcome edition to my library.
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a great adventure novel.
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Exciting and fast paced. Thrilling and intensely interesting. I went back and read it a second time a week later.
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Razzntazz
5.0 out of 5 stars Kreigsmarine glory
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is beyond amazing.
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The Jolly Zebra
5.0 out of 5 stars The War You Never Heard About
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Mr. Robinson does a well researched job of presenting a phase of WW II that has never been given the attention that it deserves. This is a book for history buffs.
One person found this helpful
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Elder Prep
5.0 out of 5 stars A little Known Aspect of WWII Naval History
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
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Highly recommended book on a little known portion of WWII at sea and the damage caused to Allied shipping.
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Jim Carone--Capt.
5.0 out of 5 stars Covers 4 main raiders- ORION//PINGUIN//KOMORAN//ADJUTANT
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
HB wDJ//glossy white paper//359 pages//59 bw photos//29 maps//10 charts//26 pages of notes// Best book Ive bought on the raiders as to details and maps to illustrate the stories clearly. If you like Raiders this one is a keeper,,,jim
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars False Flags: Disguised German Raiders Of World War II
Reviewed in Brazil on May 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
Leitura empolgante sobre uma página quase esquecida da 2a Guerra Mundial, a da 'guerra de corso' dos crusadores auxiliares da Kriegsmarine. Só lamento que, pelo autor ser australiano (e por isso tenha se concentrado nos navios que passaram pelas águas de seu país), outros corsários ficaram de fora (a não ser por menções periféricas), como o Thor e o Atlantis.
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Mal O'dour
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and well detailed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Covered the subject well with quite a few details of which I was unaware, thank you
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
Everything up to my expectations
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