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The Milk Cows: The U-Boat Tankers at War 1941 – 1945 Hardcover – September 19, 2009

by John F. White (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 751 ratings
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During the Second World War the Germans developed a specially adapted U-boat oil tanker with two aims. First, by refueling the attack U-boat fleet their range of operations and duration of patrol could be significantly increased. Secondly, these underwater tankers were far more likely to avoid detection than surface support ships.

The submarine tankers, affectionately known as ‘Milk Cows’, were regarded by both the Germans and the Allies as the most important element of the U-boat fleet. Allied forces had orders to attack the tankers first whenever a choice was presented.

Until late 1942 the German Milk Cows operated with great success and few losses. But from 1943 onwards the German rendezvous ciphers were repeatedly broken by the Allies and losses mounted rapidly. The Milk Cows were highly vulnerable during the lengthy refueling procedure as they lay stationary on the surface, hatches open. By the end of the war virtually every tanker had been sunk with severe loss of life.

The story of this critical campaign has been thoroughly researched by the author and is told against the background of changing U-boat fortunes.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pen and Sword Maritime
  4. Publication date
    September 19, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6.75 x 1 x 10 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    184884008X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1848840089
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A comprehensive look at the German submarine tanker program during World War II..."
The NYMAS Review

About the Author

John F White is an author and a historian.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen and Sword Maritime (September 19, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 184884008X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1848840089
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.36 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.75 x 1 x 10 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 751 ratings

About the author

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John F. White

John F. White

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
751 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dan Kube
5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is dedicated solely to describing the resupplying/refueling U-Boots known as "Milk Cows", and represents all that is known about those unique U-Boots, their operations, and what life was like aboard these vessels. Very interesting read for those who want to learn something new about and old topic.
One person found this helpful
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KB
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative, full of detail, and enjoyable.
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent read! If you want to know the details on what these Milk Cows experienced, then this is the book to read. The only error I noted was Mr. White's statement that all members of U-boats crews were volunteers. Not so! Many were transferred over from other branches of the military due to Navy's difficultly in filling all the boats as losses increased. Nevertheless, the book was very informative, and was an enjoyable read. I strongly recommend to anyone into detail life of U-boat arm of the German Navy.
3 people found this helpful
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Izzy
3.0 out of 5 stars Hard to follow
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2013
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Lots of names, dates, times, u- boat numbers, but I enjoyed a different look into the submarine warfare from the logistics side. A short read but I felt worth the money purchased.
One person found this helpful
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Ken Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars U-Boat Refuelling operations
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022
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A rich, well researched book on refueling operations and the problems encountered as the war progressed.
One person found this helpful
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Jonathan Mattson
5.0 out of 5 stars Only book I know of to give such details on Milk Cows.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2015
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I'm not aware of there being other books like this, but to get the coverage of the german milk cows this is a great book. Goes into excellent details on the operations of the german submarines and when the allies start attacking and sinking them. If you are interested in the german submarines, reading this book is an excellent way to learn about teh submarine war in the central and southern atlantic.

Plus, the kindle version, such a great deal compared to the hardcover.
5 people found this helpful
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scott bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars Only book on this subject
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2014
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Great book on this little know subject. Book shows the develpoment of these subs and where they operated. Book goes into detail as to why the germans developed these sub for their continued operational needs. Great idea but all sub are sunk and the amount of operations these subs conduct to help re-supply the fighting subs is worth reading.
2 people found this helpful
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Fernando Villegas
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book about a Very Unknown Subject
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2023
J.F White is not a very well-known author, in fact as unknown, I guess, as the subject of this book. It is a shame because his work is second to none in this "milk cow" history, but even better in "Aurelian", where he displays the full scope of his skill.
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Ron McDonald
5.0 out of 5 stars VERY LITTLE PRINTED ABOUT THIS CLASS OF BOAT.
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2019
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EXCELLENT REFERENCE SOURCE.
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Top reviews from other countries

Alan Fuller
5.0 out of 5 stars The Milk Cows: The U-Boat Tankers 1941 - 1945
Reviewed in Spain on February 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
Well written and extensively researched account of the activities of these U-Boats. All were sunk before the end of the second World War. Of particular interest are the accounts of their activities in the Far East after the Japanese became involved in the war. Very good.
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Tax Payer
5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Details
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
A very interesting account with a good level of technical detail to support the trials of the crews and limitations. The book appears to include considerable research and great detail of the available records on both sides of the conflict. This level of detail was impressive and added to the narrative of what both the submarines and the crews had to contend with. This was of particular interest as the war progressed.
The technical and electronic war was well explained.
Also of interest were the details of the work of the U-boats, armed, lightly armed or unarmed that participate in blockade running, transporting supplies to Germany, including from the far East.
Also included was details of U-boat activity in the South Atlantic, off South America and with the Japanese in the far East.
The personal details of the crews greatly adds to the reader's understanding of the conditions in which these crews served and died.
A good read!
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting good for research
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
A very interesting and enlightening book, however at times it can become very laborious as it describes in great detail the activities of one particular submarine on a particular cruise and then goes on to describe the exploits of another and so on. The author has obviously carried out great research but it can sometimes make rather heavy reading
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J McMIllan
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very well researched, but too much detail was presented that did not add enlightenment along the lines of 'Milkcow went out, fuelled 7 attack boats and came back.' It seemed that every Milkcow voyage had to be mentioned. Apart from that, I enjoyed the book this book and it offered plenty of interesting information that extended my knowledge of the subject. A good edit to cut out the dull bits and leave what is a well written piece of less well-known wartime history would have improved it.
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Colin, Scotland
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight, well worth the read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Fascinating insight to the very successful but relatively unknown Milk Cow U-boat operations in WWll. Massive piece of work detailing all the supply missions undertaken & the ultimate fate of all the Milk Cows. After mid 1943 when the allies introduced better radar, HF/DF, Fido acoustic aerial torpedo & especially escort carrier hunting groups the U-boat war was lost for the Germans. This book takes you down that road with the Milk Cows. A great read.
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