Hitler's Secret Pirate Fleet: The Deadliest Ships of World War II - Paperback

by James P. Duffy (Author)

They were the deadliest ships of World War II--nine German commerce raiders disguised as peaceful cargo ships, flying the flags of neutral and allied nations. In reality these heavily armed warships roamed the world's oceans at will, like twentieth-century pirates. They struck unsuspecting freighters and tankers out of the darkness of night or from behind a curtain of fog and mist. For almost three years they led the Royal Navy on a deadly chase from sea to sea and sank or captured more than a million tons of allied shipping. Masquerading as unarmed merchantmen, the raiders carried an awesome array of weapons cleverly hidden behind false structures and concealed inside empty packing crates on their decks. They fed off their unsuspecting targets, pumping fuel from their prey into their own tanks and taking food from captured pantries to feed their own crews and the thousands of prisoners that they picked up along the way. These secret ships also acted as supply ships for U-boats, helping their fellow hunters remain at large for longer periods. At sea for months--or even years--those raider sailors lucky enough to survive were hailed as heroes when they returned home. In this fascinating and high-tension account of the German Navy's "pirate" fleet, James P. Duffy provides detailed descriptions of each of the nine raiders, presented in chronological order based on the date each ship first sailed, revealing a significant but little-known aspect of World War II naval history

Front Jacket

THE 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION
"The Story of My Life, a remarkable account of overcoming the debilitating challenges of being both deaf and blind, has become an international classic, making Helen Keller one of the most well-known, inspirational figures in history. Originally published in 1903, Keller's fascinating memoir narrates the events of her life up to her third year at Radcliffe College.
Helen Keller's story of struggle and achievement is one of unquenchable hope. From tales of her difficult early days, to details of her relationship with her beloved teacher Anne Sullivan, to her impressions of academic life, Keller's honest, straightforward writing lends insight into an amazing mind. Like the original, this centenary edition of "The Story of My Life includes letters Keller wrote to friends throughout her childhood and adolescence that chronicle her intellectual and sensory progression, as well as assistant John Macy's commentary on her interpretations of her surroundings.
In addition to reprinting Keller's long-lost original work, this edition contains excerpts from her little-known, deeply personal memoir "The World We Live In, which give readers a detailed look into an otherwise unimaginable existence, as well as an excerpt from "Out of the Dark, a political commentary Keller wrote during her years as a socialist.
Deftly edited and prefaced by scholar James Berger, this comprehensive anniversary edition celebrates a century of readers' enthrallment with one of the most powerful figures in history.

Author Biography

James P. Duffy is a writer and lecturer. His previous books include Target America: Hitler's Plan to Attack the United States.