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Deborah Lake
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Smoke and Mirrors: Q-Ships against the U-Boats in the First World War Paperback – May 1, 2009

by Deborah Lake (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
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The Q-ship, an ordinary merchant vessel with concealed guns, came into its own during World War I, when used by the Royal Navy to trap and destroy German U-boats. The Q-ship operations are covered here in detail, by following the careers of the eight men who won the Victoria Cross on Special Service Operations; and by accounts of German U-boat crews being on the receiving end. No book on Q-ships can avoid the Baralong incident in which a Q-ship's crew allegedly executed the survivors of the German submarine U-27, on August 19, 1915. In a subsequent encounter with U-41, more British atrocities were alleged by the only two German survivors. Revealing extracts from the diary of a Royal Marine who served on board the Baralong are reproduced here, together with other first-hand accounts. With charge and counter-charge, this incident provides a fascinating story.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    The History Press
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0752450557
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0752450551
  8. See all details
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About the Author

Deborah Lake served in the Royal Air Force and is the author of numerous military and naval history books, including The Tartan Air Force and The Zeebrugge and Ostend Raids 1918.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press; Reprint edition (May 1, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0752450557
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0752450551
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 11 ratings

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Deborah Lake

Deborah Lake

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
11 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

P. A. Panozzo
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and vital history.
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
During World War One, the German navy employed U-Boats (submarines) against Britain and it's allies. Britain, somewhat desperately, countered the U-Boat menace with Q-ships (decoys). In the years 1914-15, Anti-submarine technology (and it's resultant use in warfare) was next to non-existent! Q-ships were typically merchantmen armed with hidden weapons, tasked with luring an unsuspecting U-Boat to attack. Q-ships would simulate abandoning in order to come to close quarters with the U-Boat and bring their weapons to bear. A fair measure of success was achieved with Q-ships as long as the U-Boat operated the "surface, stop and search" policy and did not become suspicious. Eight Victoria Cross recipients earned their award participating in Q-ship operations and through their experiences, the Q-ship and U-Boat battle is examined including the controversial "Baralong incident" named for the Q-ship HMS Baralong. Q-ships were code named with the letter "Q" for Queenstown, Ireland their home port. Author Deborah Lake has well-researched this fascinating and essential history of WWI naval warfare. First hand accounts from participating British and German sailors provide testimony to the bitter and often merciless contest. Emphasis is placed on the human experience as opposed to the ships. Terrific black and white photos, many from the author's private collection, support the text. I highly recommend this title as well as the Osprey Duel Series title Q-Ship versus U-Boat by David Greentree.  Q Ship vs U-Boat: 1914-18 (Duel) . It is due out in 2014, and like other titles in the Osprey Duel series, looks to be a promising addition!
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Marie Tailford
4.0 out of 5 stars Tommy Crisp.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2014
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Because my husbands uncle was Tommy Crisp and we loved him and our sons remember him telling them bedtime stories that were real and exciting. Our eldest grandson is now a teacher of modern history and passing on those treasured memories.
Marie Tailford.
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David McIntyre
5.0 out of 5 stars ... of the service but shone in special service very like many of their foes in Submarines
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2016
Verified Purchase
Written in a fluid style this telling of a fascinating story is not heavy in technical detail this can be found elsewhere but concentrates on the action surrounded by a huge amount of humdrum day to day routine not to mention discomfort on what are by todays standard very small ships the characters are highlighted the usual group who may not have prospered in the more conventional part of the service but shone in special service very like many of their foes in Submarines,i would have liked more on the reasons For one of Gordon Campbells first officers not wanting to continue serving with him,the German Submariners are also well covered shown to be brave,human and dedicated simply serving their country in the same way as all the other men involved in this terrible war the writer is very even in her treatment of both sides as is her treatment of the Barralong incident presenting facts that are known rather than propaganda generated hysteria the last Q-Ship kill some miles of Blyth is a tragic episode highlighting the fog of war.These men should be better remembered but in the UK it is not a national trait, for me they did it yes out of a sense of duty but also adventure and must have been a very tough bunch steaming and sometimes sailing in a one thousand tonner or less all the while inviting a torpedo hoping for one in fact takes a special sort and this is well brought out in Deborah Lakes book.
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まげ店長
5.0 out of 5 stars WWIのQ-Ship戦
Reviewed in Japan on February 29, 2008
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WWIIで使われたドイツの仮装巡洋艦もQ-Shipみたいなもんですが、
やはり本物はWWIのQ-Shipです！
誠に珍しいこの分野の資料。
写真類も十数枚も載っていて、まっこっとに格好いいです！
（私は、軍装ではWWIの方がWWIIよりも格好がいいと思います）

残念なのは作戦海図が見当たらない事ですが...
（地中海が載っていないので、殆ど北海付近みたい？です）

宮崎駿監督の「 宮崎駿の雑想ノート ハンスの帰還 」でもWWIのQ-Shipを扱っていますね。
こういう泥臭い戦いは何故か血が騒ぎます。
（CDも出ています）

WWIIのQ-Shipという極めてレアな本が出ています。
「 Q-Ships Versus U-Boats: America's Secret Project 」なんですが、この本は実はWWIIのQ-Shipで
勘違いした私をがっかりさせました。（ある意味、凄く貴重な本なんですが）
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J W.
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 STAR
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2020
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EXCELLENT BOOK AND SERVICE
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LupoEzzechiele
5.0 out of 5 stars Ok good book+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
Really good book, highly recommended as the dealer.
In perfect condition.
Highly recommended for study and collectors.
Also great for the history of the First World War.
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