Douglas Carl Peifer Livres

This comparative study explores the dissolution, transition, and establishment of naval forces in Germany after World War II, focusing on how experiences such as captivity, war crimes prosecution, and de-Nazification influenced the formation of the East and West German navies. The author challenges the notion that the end of the Third Reich in 1945 and subsequent NATO and Warsaw Pact memberships in 1955-56 represented a complete break in German military history. By concentrating on key German ports rather than the perspectives of major powers, the book offers an experiential view of Germany's rearmament. The comparative analysis contrasts the East and West German navies with the Kriegsmarine, marking a significant contribution to maritime history. Utilizing primary archival materials and interviews with foundational figures from both navies, the author narrates the complex story of various decentralized agencies operating under Soviet and Western oversight. These semi-official units undertook navy-like roles in the late 1940s, including mine disposal, maritime border supervision, and fishery protection, eventually engaging in espionage. Covering an 11-year span, the study reveals how the U.S., U.K., and Soviet Union shifted from dismantling the Kriegsmarine to supporting new naval organizations, highlighting the differing processes in East and West Germany and the influence of Kriegsmarine veterans on the new forces.