Cruise of the German Raider Atlantis, The

Sea Power, Oct 2003 by Gardner, Sherry L

THE CRUISE OF THE GERMAN RAIDER ATLANTIS, by Joseph P. Slavick, Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press, June 2003. 288 pp. $32.95. ISBN: 1-55750-537-3. Capt. Joseph Slavick has served in the Air Force for more than 20 years. The Atlantis was one of Germany's most successful WWII surface raiders. During her two-year cruise behind Allied lines, she captured or sank 22 merchant ships, broke enemy codes, and acquired valuable intelligence material from the British, including the plans for the defense of Singapore.

Slavick uses crew interviews, the ship's log, and extensive research materials to reveal the true story behind this ship that rarely flew her own flag and never wore her own name. Slavick credits the success of the Atlantis to the captain's mastery of naval stealth and evasion. He also provides information on the Allied intelligence agencies' responses to the raider threat and their actions to eliminate it. Adding further drama to this story is the eventual destruction of the raider and the rescue of her crew by a small fleet of German and Italian submarines. With 13 black-and-white photographs, notes, bibliography, and index.