“THE IMPERIAL GERMAN NAVY OF WORLD WAR I – – A Comprehensive Photographic Study ofthe Kaiser’s Naval Forces, Volume 1: Warships”, by Jeffrey Judge, Graphic Artwork by Jamie L.Scherer. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.: 2016, 312 pages, hc: $69.99. See: Info@schifferbooks.com,www.schifferbooks.com, phone (610) 593-1777.Reviewed and Highly Recommended by Don DeNeviOn one of the Schiffer browsing rooms’ shelves for visitors is “THE IMPERIAL GERMAN NAVY OFWORLD WAR I”, an ordinary example of the company’s thousands of meticulously researched,thoughtfully planned, expertly designed, costly- to-publish books due to quality binding andspecial high-priced glossed paper for exceptional print and reproduction of fading black andwhite photographs. In short, the 35 lb. book is one of the handsomest of the handsome booksall collectors cherish for their personal libraries. If Jeffery Judge’s meticulous research andnarrative were beyond reproach, nay, incomparable and acknowledged as such by world-wideexperts on the subject, Pete, as usual, would choose to ignore questions of cost for the sake ofcommensurable quality. Hence, yet another masterwork would be published the entirecompany could be proud of it.Thus, Jeffrey is justified when he resolutely, unabashedly, writes on page 7 in his “ImperialGerman Navy Of World War I” Acknowledgments, “I would like to express my sincerestgratitude to Pete Schiffer for granting me this wonderful opportunity to write my books aboutwhich I have such a strong interest in. I would also like to thank my editors, Bob Biondi and IanRobertson, for always being available to provide me with such sound advice throughout theseendeavors.”Hence, the birth of the fabulous, “The Imperial German Navy of World War I”, one of a series ofbooks in the Warships, Campaigns & Uniforms catalog section that provides a broad view of theKaiser’s naval forces through the extensive use of photos. Every effort has been made to coverall significant areas during the war period. In addition to the primary use of the rarephotographs, technical. Information is provided for each German warship along with its
corresponding service history with special emphasis on those warships that participated in the
Battle of Skagerrak (Jutland). Countless sources have been used to establish individual casestudies for each warship. In fact, multiple photos of each warship are provided. The entireseries itself is unprecedented in its coverage of the Kaiser’s navy. Such concern forthoroughness over profit entitles this reviewer to use without reservation or qualification thephrase “Pure genius on EVERYONE’s part in Schiffer book development”. As for Pete, authorJeffrey Judge has publicly and humbly, and so justifiably, extended his hand.As for this reviewer, I recommend, nay demand, Pete add one more Judge title to his vastcollection, “The Story of the Greatest Gift to World Military Literature – – the Schiffer PublishingCompany.”And, readers of war, specifically naval engagements, if you are unfamiliar with the Battle ofJutland, suffice to say Jeffrey details it intrinsically and minutely. It was the first and last time inWWI that the British and German Grand Fleets of battleship actually came to blows. More than250 ships and over 100,000 seamen were involved. In two days of fighting, May 31 – June 1,1916, the British lost 14 ships and over 6,000 men, but were ready for action the following day.It pitted 151 British warships against 99 German ships, most of which are reported in Jeffrey’sclassic. The Germans who lost 11 ships and over 2,500 men avoided complete destruction byskedaddling, never again seriously challenging control of the North Atlantic. This fact remained
stuck in Hitler’s throat until a blast from his Mauser on April 31, 1945.
