The photos in this book are taken from an unpublished album belonged to a member of the crew of famous German Battleship Tirpitz. It is a little known fact that before the start of World War Two the ship went on a shakedown voyage into the Atlantic, travelling north into Arctic waters and south into the more tropical climbs of the Caribbean. There are superb photos of the officers and crew both above and below decks, including some unique shots of the crew during their stint on a magnificent sail training vessel. Other stunning shots show the vessels mighty weapons during gunnery practice during her sea trials. This unique collection gives a close up view of one of the most powerful ships of World War Two, a ship that proved to be a persistent thorn in the side of the Royal Navy until sunk in Norway towards the end of the war. AUTHOR: John Sutherland has written extensively on naval history and warfare. Much of his previous work has concerned the American involvement in the Europe in World War I and the European theatre of World Wars I wII. Diane Canwell has written works on European history and is much involved in the research for this book. SELLING POINTS: ? Outstanding rarely seen views aboard this powerful giant warship ? Action shots aboard from the ice-covered decks in the North Atlantic to the balmy tropical waters of the Caribbean ILLUSTRATIONS: 120 b/w photographs